VEGAS (AP) -- Many country music fans aren't ready to forgive the Dixie Chicks' Natalie Maines for comments critical of President Bush: Voters rejected the group's nominations for three Academy of Country Music Awards and the audience booed the mention of their name.

Presenter Vince Gill urged the audience at Wednesday night's show to "Stop it, stop it." He added: "You know who gets blessed when you forgive — you."

Maines has been in the country music doghouse since she told a London audience on March 10, before the start of the war in Iraq, that "we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas."

The night was much better for two of the academy's most successful artists. Alan Jackson won album of the year for "Drive" as well as a video honor, and Brooks & Dunn were the top vocal duo. Brooks & Dunn extended their collection of ACMs to a record 17. Jackson's tally rose to 11.
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Toby Keith led this year's nominations with eight and avoided a second shutout by being named entertainer of the year. By the time his name was announced, he had left the venue.

The show repeatedly saluted the armed forces. The audience erupted in cheers for three freed POWs of the Iraq war who were invited on stage — Chief Warrant Officer Ronald Young Jr., from Fort Hood, Texas; and Pvt. 1st Class Patrick Miller and Spc. Shoshana Johnson, both from Fort Bliss, Texas.

Lonestar sang a new version of "I'm Already Home" dedicated to the troops.

Kenny Chesney picked up two major awards — male vocalist of the year and record of the year for "The Good Stuff," ending a six-year drought since he was named new male vocalist in 1997.

Martina McBride was named female vocalist for the second straight year.

"I've spent 11 years sitting out in the audience hearing other names called. It's just an amazing feeling to have it finally be your name," she said.

Rascal Flatts won their second and third ACMs as group of the year and for the song "I'm Movin' On," written by Phillip Brian White and David Vincent Williams.

Joe Nichols, who is touring with Jackson, won new male vocalist. New female vocalist honors in the male-dominated awards went to Kellie Coffey. Canada's Emerson Drive was the top new duo or group.

The Dixie Chicks were a late addition, performing by satellite from their hometown of Austin, Texas.

Maines sat silently as Emily Robison briefly introduced the song.

The boos erupted when Gill named the Dixie Chicks among nominees for entertainer of the year. Gill said afterward that the reaction was more subdued than at last month's Flameworthy Awards. "It was a pretty volatile crowd that time. This one wasn't so bad," he said.

It didn't seem that way to host Reba McEntire.

"It was a pretty big negative response. I don't think it's over," she said after the program.

The show, televised by CBS, was presented from Las Vegas this year for the first time in the event's 38-year history and McEntire managed to get both the Chicks and Las Vegas in her opening monologue.

"Everybody here loves to gamble," she said during an opening monologue. "They're backstage right now checking the latest odds on the Dixie Chicks playing the Bush family reunion.




Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

I forgot to ask this in the other thread, but what song did they perform?

I support the Chicks. Natalie spoke her mind, and she has a right to do that. It wasn't like she said she was so ashamed of him, she's gonna take a gun and blow his brains out. The crowd and all the other people just need to get over it, imo. It's done now, it's in the past. Forgive and forget. Damn, they've been through hell these past few months. On that 20/20 (?) Emily mentioned they were getting threats and people were coming by their house and destroying some of their property, it was something like that. I know they prob. have bodyguards with them at all times now, but still it's gotta be rough for them.

About the whole F U T K shirt, I'll admit that prob. didn't improve matters any. The ones that are disgusted at the Chicks are prob. even more disgusted with them and the ones that stuck by them with the Bush comment might've thought the shirt was immature.

To be honest with you, I'm not sure if they will ever come back again. Before the controversy w/ the Bush comment, they were really on top of things. They were winning awards right and left and had a ton of fans. I don't know if they will ever come back to the top. The next cd they release might be good quality wise, but might not sell that great. It's sad if that does happen, they are really talented. They are the only artists that the cds kept getting better and better. I'm talking about the Natalie Maine years, btw. Wide Open Spaces was good. Fly was even better. Home topped Fly and WOS.

This post is jmo, btw.

:lol: The Dixie Chicks were never any good,as far as I'm concerned.And now,they've made fools of themselves.

That is so sad!!!!!!!!!! They need to get over that! It was......HOW long ago? If they performed Landslide and got booed I think that's just wrong because even tho I dont like much country music that's one of the songs that I LOVE! They should have won something, after being number one on the charts and everything!!

Originally posted by Jenny
I forgot to ask this in the other thread, but what song did they perform?

I support the Chicks. Natalie spoke her mind, and she has a right to do that. It wasn't like she said she was so ashamed of him, she's gonna take a gun and blow his brains out. The crowd and all the other people just need to get over it, imo. It's done now, it's in the past. Forgive and forget. Damn, they've been through hell these past few months. On that 20/20 (?) Emily mentioned they were getting threats and people were coming by their house and destroying some of their property, it was something like that. I know they prob. have bodyguards with them at all times now, but still it's gotta be rough for them.

About the whole F U T K shirt, I'll admit that prob. didn't improve matters any. The ones that are disgusted at the Chicks are prob. even more disgusted with them and the ones that stuck by them with the Bush comment might've thought the shirt was immature.

To be honest with you, I'm not sure if they will ever come back again. Before the controversy w/ the Bush comment, they were really on top of things. They were winning awards right and left and had a ton of fans. I don't know if they will ever come back to the top. The next cd they release might be good quality wise, but might not sell that great. It's sad if that does happen, they are really talented. They are the only artists that the cds kept getting better and better. I'm talking about the Natalie Maine years, btw. Wide Open Spaces was good. Fly was even better. Home topped Fly and WOS.

This post is jmo, btw.

I agree with every word you said. And they performed "Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)", their next single.

Originally posted by MaRtInA_GuRL


I agree with every word you said. And they performed "Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)", their next single.

Thanks for answering my question. :)

I like the Dixie Chicks music, but I don't really like them personaly, especialy Natalie Maines. I support Toby Keith on his decisions, and he is a person that I wouldn't want to be mad at me. The Dixie Chicks are free to express themselves, I have no problem with that, even though I don't agree with it. I have no Idea what Natalie is thinking, but the things she says just keep getting her, Emily and Marty in more heat with fans and fellow singers. I feel sorry for Emily and Marty, becuase they really haven't said anything and Natalie is the one getting them on the fans bad side imo.

Originally posted by Three'sCompanyrules
I have no Idea what Natalie is thinking, but the things she says just keep getting her, Emily and Marty in more heat with fans and fellow singers. I feel sorry for Emily and Marty, becuase they really haven't said anything and Natalie is the one getting them on the fans bad side imo.

That's what my mom says. She feels sorry for E and M, too. I think it was Emily talking about how people were destroying some of her property. I would really like to know what they think of this. On that 20/20 thing it didn't sound like they were pissed at N. Of course, being on tv, could they actually admit what they were truly thinking? It's like a murder in a way. If a person killed somebody and a reporter gets in the person's face and asks if he/she killed the person, would the person actually admit that they killed the person? No way. Maybe E and M aren't pissed at all at N, but maybe they are pissed. Maybe E and M just acted like they weren't pissed on that special, but maybe the fur is flying behind the scenes.

Originally posted by Jenny


That's what my mom says. She feels sorry for E and M, too. I think it was Emily talking about how people were destroying some of her property. I would really like to know what they think of this. On that 20/20 thing it didn't sound like they were pissed at N. Of course, being on tv, could they actually admit what they were truly thinking? It's like a murder in a way. If a person killed somebody and a reporter gets in the person's face and asks if he/she killed the person, would the person actually admit that they killed the person? No way. Maybe E and M aren't pissed at all at N, but maybe they are pissed. Maybe E and M just acted like they weren't pissed on that special, but maybe the fur is flying behind the scenes.


I would like to know what Emily and Marty think of it to, on the 20/20 show they seem to be supportive of Natalie, but kind of quiet at the same time, I would think that they aren't very happy about all the threats and things, but who knows. Now people threatining them and doing damage to there property, are going way to far, and they are at a worse level than the Dixie Chicks, the Dixie Chicks didn't commit a crime, they made two dumb statements, but its the people doing the treatining and the damage are the ones that are cowards and commiting the crimes. I have the Dixie Chicks Home CD, and yes I'm very upset at the Dixie Chicks and I could have easily done away with that CD, but that would be a waste of my money, so will put them on hold until all of this, and hopefully soon blows over, Ii'm mad at them now, but I'm sure as time goes by, I will think less of it, adn listen to there music like I always have.

What gets me mad is that celebrities think they are the only ones who have freedom of speech. The fans have the right to boo whomever they wish. That is their freedom of speech.

It's silly that people are making such a big deal over it....Many people have said the same things that Natalie has and much worse. I realize that it's because of the Dixie Chicks main audience but they should get over it.

Natalie certanly has a right to her opinion, but being of celebrity status in the public eye, it wasn't the brightest thing to say.

Originally posted by Jenny
I forgot to ask this in the other thread, but what song did they perform?

I support the Chicks. Natalie spoke her mind, and she has a right to do that. It wasn't like she said she was so ashamed of him, she's gonna take a gun and blow his brains out. The crowd and all the other people just need to get over it, imo. It's done now, it's in the past. Forgive and forget. Damn, they've been through hell these past few months. On that 20/20 (?) Emily mentioned they were getting threats and people were coming by their house and destroying some of their property, it was something like that. I know they prob. have bodyguards with them at all times now, but still it's gotta be rough for them.

It's not what they said it's where they said it. Though I don't agree with what Natalie said everyone is entilted to their own opinon, that's one of foundations America was built on. Howeevr, (this is a BIG howeevr) I do not think she should have said what she said in London. It would be one thing to say it in America, but in another counrtry? Their comment made it seem like American's (or some) don't support their leaders,and even if they don't it still puts a shame on America. I mean seriously it's like putting down your country. When speaking to other countries you need to have confidence in your own country, or else it makes you look bad, unpolitical, and makes you appear like you don't care if they try to take over your own ountry because you think it stinks.

I have a lot of respect for Natalie for speaking her mind. It takes a lot of guts for someone to do that because obviously it can have a very negative effect. I think that now that the war is over (or at least for the most part) and those comments were made months ago, it should be dropped and forgotten. Not to mention the fact it was one comment at a concert, not at an awards show or even televised. People should focus on the chicks for their amazing music, and if they don't like the music then don't say anything. But being booed is just immature.

I haven't closely followed this controversy so I don't know who's mad at whom and why. But the other Dixie Chicks knew Natalie was wearing that shirt. I doubt they were upset by it. Toby Keith insulted Natalie and she's not taking it lying down. It seems that her band members and crew are proudlysupporting her. Just so you all know, they weren't booed in Austin, which is where they played their song. They were beemed via sattelite for the Academy program in Las Vegas. Some in the Las Vegas crowd booed them. Although, I watched the show and it didn't sound like much of a ruckus to me.

Some are talking about how the Dixie Chicks are losing or will lose sales and popularity due to all of this. I don't know if that's true, but I think it's admirable that they stick up for their beliefs. Especially since they know that they could lose that oh so precious thing called money. They don't care enough about money to be little 'shut my mouth' sweethearts! That's refreshing. The 'let's all hate the Dixie Chicks' thing is one heck of goofball bit of the angry American sydrome. Plum sillyfied!

instead of booing in Boston, everyone just sold back their tickets. (actions speak louder than words lol)she had the right to speak her mind but when people are fighting and dieing for your freedom you have to support them and be proud of your country. think before you speak

Since the Chicks are undoubtably worth millions now, I wonder if Natalie would have shot off her big mouth or should I say "right to freedom of speech" when they were first trying to break into the music buisness?

Originally posted by xshelly06x
instead of booing in Boston, everyone just sold back their tickets. (actions speak louder than words lol)she had the right to speak her mind but when people are fighting and dieing for your freedom you have to support them and be proud of your country. think before you speak

That's right!

What's this about a tee-shirt she wore that's supposed to be the cause of some brouhaha? :confused:

Why do people think she should have kept her mouth shut in a foreign city like London? And why do people think that, as a celebrity, she doesn't have the right to speak her mind?

GOOD GOD, MAN, WHY ARE PEOPLE SO DEFENSIVE OVER THE PRESIDENT??? WHY DOES HE BRUISE LIKE A GRAPE FROM EVERY BIT OF CRITICISM????

Yeah, really. As the President, he's gonna get criticism whether he likes it or not. I'm sure he's gotten it before from other celebs, so why did Natalie come under fire?

Originally posted by *~PinkLady59~*
Yeah, really. As the President, he's gonna get criticism whether he likes it or not. I'm sure he's gotten it before from other celebs, so why did Natalie come under fire?

I think, because In the country music world people are extremely sensitive when it comes to bashing the president or America. Most country music fans like George W and I think thats why people got so bent out of shape. I mean I like the president, but I really dont give a rat's ass what Natalie Maines has to say about him. She is intitled to her own opinion, just like everyone else and anything she says about him isn't going to change what I think. I'm still going to be a big fan of The Dixie Chicks no matter what she says about the president.

Originally posted by xshelly06x
instead of booing in Boston, everyone just sold back their tickets.Everybody? Gee, where'd you hear that?

Originally posted by MaRtInA_GuRL


I think, because In the country music world people are extremely sensitive when it comes to bashing the president or America. Most country music fans like George W and I think thats why people got so bent out of shape. I mean I like the president, but I really dont give a rat's ass what Natalie Maines has to say about him. She is intitled to her own opinion, just like everyone else and anything she says about him isn't going to change what I think. I'm still going to be a big fan of The Dixie Chicks no matter what she says about the president. I'll go along with your independent thinking. ;) But I'm not sure if "most country music fans like George W". When a huge conglomerate radio syndicater like Clear com (or whatever it's called) has the power of the microphone, it's hard to say what's really going on. They were large contributors to the Bush run up to the presidency, and have gone way out of their way to stay in the administration's good graces. I suspect that the love of money, and power in the media, has at least as much to do with that as their supposed love of George. As far as I know the Dixie Chicks shows are still sold out all over the country. I've been trying to find that out. Maybe I should check to see if tickets are available for their concert coming soon to my town! :happyface

Originally posted by Three'sCompanyrules
II have no Idea what Natalie is thinking, but the things she says just keep getting her, Emily and Marty in more heat with fans and fellow singers. I feel sorry for Emily and Marty, becuase they really haven't said anything and Natalie is the one getting them on the fans bad side imo. "I relate to Emily and Natalie now more than anyone else in my world, because we live, breathe, eat, sleep, and everything together. We haven't grown apart through this, we've totally grown together and nobody will ever understand the relationship that we have because they're not where we are." -Martie

You know the saying wrong place, wrong time. Well that is what botherd me alot about her comments. A concert was not the place to say them. People paid money to hear music not political views. If Natalie wanted to excpess her views against the war. She should have booked herself on a politcal show, and read about the issues. She would've been able to make a intelligent debate against the war. She would've been able to say "I don't agree with this war and this is why". I don't think it would have nearly as much fuss.

Originally posted by sara
You know the saying wrong place, wrong time. Well that is what botherd me alot about her comments. A concert was not the place to say them. People paid money to hear music not political views. If Natalie wanted to excpess her views against the war. She should have booked herself on a politcal show, and read about the issues. She would've been able to make a intelligent debate against the war. She would've been able to say "I don't agree with this war and this is why". I don't think it would have nearly as much fuss.

Quiz time: Which of these things should NEVER be said from a concert stage?

1. "ARRIIIIIIIIIIGHT!!!!!! ARE YOU READY TO GET YOUR ASSES ROCKED?????!!!!!!"
2. "C'MON EVERYBODY, KEEP ON SMOKIN' THEM JOINTS!!!!!!"
3. "DAMN, DO WE GOT SOME HOT LOOKING BABES OUT THERE!!!!!!"
4. "LET'S GO F:crazy: :D :cool:IN' CRAAAAAZYYYYYYY!!!!!!"
5. "I JUST WANT ALL OF YOU TO KNOW, I'M ASHAMED OF MY PRESIDENT!!!!!! I'M DEDICATING THIS NEXT SONG TO HIM!!!!!"

Oh, to wallow in the Dionysian rock n' roll spirit...:rock: :guitar: :guitar: :rock:

Originally posted by sara
You know the saying wrong place, wrong time. Well that is what botherd me alot about her comments. A concert was not the place to say them. People paid money to hear music not political views. If Natalie wanted to excpess her views against the war. She should have booked herself on a politcal show, and read about the issues. She would've been able to make a intelligent debate against the war. She would've been able to say "I don't agree with this war and this is why". I don't think it would have nearly as much fuss. I agree sara, if she wanted to pop off about the president she could of picked a more appropriate place to do it at.

Originally posted by sara
You know the saying wrong place, wrong time. Well that is what botherd me alot about her comments. A concert was not the place to say them. People paid money to hear music not political views. If Natalie wanted to excpess her views against the war. She should have booked herself on a politcal show, and read about the issues. She would've been able to make a intelligent debate against the war. She would've been able to say "I don't agree with this war and this is why". I don't think it would have nearly as much fuss.

Uhhh, I think the reason why she said it when and where she did was because she felt that the audience was in agreement with her. And I don't think she was trying to preach politics to her London audience, either.
Should Bruce Springsteen have not talked about "politics" in concert when Reagan co-opted the use of his name back in 1984 in a speech? Apparently, conservative columnist George Will went to a Bruce Springsteen concert and, admittedly not knowing or caring for the Boss' political views, interpreted "Born In the U.S.A." as a flag-waving patriotic ditty. He got the word to Reagan, who came out and praised Bruce as one of the people who shared Reagan's dream for America, etc. Bruce was very puzzled about this misuse of his name and his ideals by a president he felt had betrayed the hopes and dreams of the American working class. He wondered onstage what album of his was Reagan's favorite--probably not "Nebraska."

So the Dixie Chicks "shouldn't" have talked politics from the stage.
Kinda funny how they couldn't resist, seeing that the world was on the verge of an event of international importance...But what I am wondering, if all these country singers like Toby Keith, Alan Jackson, Charlie Daniels, and even Ted Nugent, by that same token, should keep quiet on the stage about comments SUPPORTING Bush. Can't preach politics, right?

I imagine a lot of us have gone to Christian concerts where 20 minutes or so is spent preaching and talking than rocking...:rolleyes:

Originally posted by sara
You know the saying wrong place, wrong time. Well that is what botherd me alot about her comments. A concert was not the place to say them. People paid money to hear music not political views. If Natalie wanted to excpess her views against the war. She should have booked herself on a politcal show, and read about the issues. She would've been able to make a intelligent debate against the war. She would've been able to say "I don't agree with this war and this is why". I don't think it would have nearly as much fuss. You assume a lot. Could it be that Natalie has "read about the issues" but spontaniously chose to voice her one single, and now overblown, sentence where she spends most of her time--on stage. If she had "booked herself on a political show" and went on to say, "I'm ashamed that president Bush comes from Texas," would you have had a little less trouble taking that in? How would you know that "Peope paid money to hear her music, not political views"? Of course they went to hear her music, but a certain amount of banter from the musicians to the crowd between songs is most always a welcome and enjoyable bonus at a concert. I saw Alison Krauss play live. She told short stories between nearly every song. Listening to her talk was one of my favorite parts of the whole experience. And thats saying a lot since I was in second heaven listening to her and her band, Union Station's music.

I used to be a huge fan of the Dixie Chicks until all this happened. I support President Buch in all of his desicions, and I think Natailie had every right to say what she said, but not at a concert in front of thousands of people. It just seems to me like she was trying to persuade everyone at that concert to be against President Bush, and thats wrong for celebrities to do that in my opinoion.

Originally posted by Leah_2oo6
I used to be a huge fan of the Dixie Chicks until all this happened. I support President Buch in all of his desicions, and I think Natailie had every right to say what she said, but not at a concert in front of thousands of people. It just seems to me like she was trying to persuade everyone at that concert to be against President Bush, and thats wrong for celebrities to do that in my opinoion.

You mean that you wish that she had said them only in private to a reporter or some other individual? What difference would that have made? But then John Lennon made his comments about Jesus known to Maureen Cleeve, a reporter for a British paper, and the world was no longer longer the same since. How does adressing comments to a London audience, many of who are opposed to Bush/Blair's policies on Iraq, going to affect foreign policy? I still believe this has nothing to do with where she said them or who she said them to, but only the fact that SHE SAID THEM AT ALL.

I think the Dixie Chicks' big mistake was believing we still lived in a free society, where freedom of dissent still existed.

Originally posted by Captain ABlairica


You mean that you wish that she had said them only in private to a reporter or some other individual? What difference would that have made? But then John Lennon made his comments about Jesus known to Maureen Cleeve, a reporter for a British paper, and the world was no longer longer the same since. How does adressing comments to a London audience, many of who are opposed to Bush/Blair's policies on Iraq, going to affect foreign policy? I still believe this has nothing to do with where she said them or who she said them to, but only the fact that SHE SAID THEM AT ALL.

I think the Dixie Chicks' big mistake was believing we still lived in a free society, where freedom of dissent still existed. I know this is a bit off topic butj ust wondering, what did John lennon say about Jesus? I never heard about that....

Originally posted by ~Tropical Punch 19~
I know this is a bit off topic butj ust wondering, what did John lennon say about Jesus? I never heard about that....

Wasn't it something like, We're (Beatles) are bigger than Jesus now. It was something like that. Correct me if I'm wrong, anybody.

Originally posted by Jenny


Wasn't it something like, We're (Beatles) are bigger than Jesus now. It was something like that. Correct me if I'm wrong, anybody.

That's correct, actually it was "more popular" than Jesus, but the still the same thing. He said it in 1966 to a British magazine and was directed at the religious scene in Britain. It was something that was blown all out of proportion in America, but many people still don't realize that he meant, he later explained, that he found it ironic that a rock & roll band like the Beatles apparently was more popular than a figure like Christ. He said that he wasn't trying to be anti-religious or "anti-Christ", he just felt that the influence of Christianity seemed to be dwindling in England. He said that he personally liked Christ but he didn't care for his disciples, and that his views were shaped by a book that was popular at the time called "The Passover Plot", which stated that a lot of things the apostles did were done with ulterior motives.

British rock journalist Steve Turner (who is a Christian) related a little known story that in the last years of his life John Lennon briefly became a Christian during his househusband phase, but Yoko eventually talked him out of it.

Originally posted by Captain ABlairica




British rock journalist Steve Turner (who is a Christian) related a little known story that in the last years of his life John Lennon briefly became a Christian during his househusband phase, but Yoko eventually talked him out of it. Once a Christian you are always a Christian. If John Lennon really meant it when he became saved, (which I ahve no iea beacsue that is up to him and God) then he will always be a Christian. He may have dwindled off from his faith in God, but God would never dwindle off from him.

Originally posted by ~Tropical Punch 19~
Once a Christian you are always a Christian. If John Lennon really meant it when he became saved, (which I ahve no iea beacsue that is up to him and God) then he will always be a Christian. He may have dwindled off from his faith in God, but God would never dwindle off from him.

I agree, I'm not sure that if and when Yoko talked him out of it (if this story is true, I found it in a back issue of Christianity Today), that it necessarily meant John Lennon abandoned his faith. He may have put it on the back burner or practiced it by himself or whatever. I wouldn't be surprised if he became a Christian, due to a lot of the turmoil in his life, but it's only open to speculation until we find out more.

Originally posted by ~Tropical Punch 19~
Once a Christian you are always a Christian. If John Lennon really meant it when he became saved, (which I ahve no iea beacsue that is up to him and God) then he will always be a Christian. He may have dwindled off from his faith in God, but God would never dwindle off from him.

That's the way I believe, also. :)

Another country

Whereas country music used to celebrate people who bucked the system, recent criticism of the Dixie Chicks shows just how ossified and reactionary it has become, writes Duncan Campbell

Tuesday May 27, 2003

It was the Academy of Country Music awards ceremony in Las Vegas last week and, being an old, if casual, country fan, I watched it. The whole notion of an "academy" of country music is pretty silly, of course, and something that every old country musician would have mocked as the pretentious piece of commercial nonsense that it is.

Still, I was interested to see what sort of response the Dixie Chicks, who were nominated in three categories, would receive. Since their lead singer, Natalie Maines, said on stage in London that they were "ashamed" that President Bush was also from Texas, they have been subjected to death threats, boycotts and abuse. Leading much of the criticism has been fellow country singer, Toby Keith, who was also a nominee on the night.

The Dixie Chicks were not at the ceremony but appeared live via satellite from a concert in Austin. One could not help but notice that Maines's T-shirt had the letters FUTK on it. The last two letters, it transpired, stood for Toby Keith. (Heaven only knows what the first two stood for.)

Anyway, the Dixie Chicks won nothing. When Vince Gill announced their names by playing to the crowd with a knowing sotto vocce, there were loud boos. The evening's host, Reba McEntire, who started the night with an obligatory sneer at the French, said afterwards that the Dixie Chicks had received a "pretty big negative response".

What the three-hour show demonstrated most of all, however, was the grim state of current country music. Back in the seventies, musicians like Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson - the "outlaws" as they were known - provided a much-needed injection of spirit and wit into the ossified form of country.

Wonderful song writers like Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, John Prine and Steve Earle arrived on the scene followed by many others; Lucinda Williams and Iris DeMent are two that have just been on my CD player.

Some of this percolated into the mainstream but it seems to have had little lasting effect, although Willie Nelson did appear at the ceremony and won the vocal event of the year award.

Country music stations, once a dependable companion for a cross-country drive, now play the same forgettable mix of bland on bland that was on display at the ceremony.

Merle Haggard wrote the classic reactionary anthem, Okie from Muskogee - "We don't smoke marijuana in Muskogee/We don't take our trips on LSD" - back in the 1970s. You didn't have to agree with his sentiments to recognise that it was a great song and he was a great songwriter.

In contrast, Toby Keith's equivalent, Courtesy of the Red White and Blue, is banal both in word and music. The fact that he won an award as "entertainer of the year" - surely that should have gone the Iraqi minister of information - says it all.

The sad thing is that country music, at its best, used to celebrate outsiders, people who bucked the system. The awards ceremony showed that it has now passed completely into the hands of the kind of folks who look up suspiciously in westerns when a stranger comes into the saloon. Much of the music sounds as though it has been written by a self-pitying computer.

Still, whatever happened in Las Vegas, the Dixie Chicks are playing to sold-out houses on their national tour. Country music, at least the kind that was on display in Las Vegas, needs them more than they need country music.

Many of the participants in the awards ceremony dressed like cowboys. But for some reason, sheep were the animals that kept coming to mind.