Sunday Song Lyric: Back in 2003, the Dixie Chicks alienated a good portion of their fan base when lead singer Natalie Maines told a London concert audience that she was embarrassed to be from the same state as President George W. Bush. Many country music stations responded by refusing to play Dixie Chick songs, and record sales suffered. While I was never much of a Dixie Chick fan (though I have seen them in concert), I did not feel Maines' comments justified a boycott, but many country music listeners obviously felt otherwise. I also don't think the Chicks helped matters by crying "censorship" and posing martyrs for free speech.

The Dixie Chicks released a new album this week -- their first since Maines' comments -- but it seems they still have some problems. According to this report, country music stations have not warmed to the first singles (though one is apparently receiving decent VH-1 airplay). One possibility is that country music fans have long memories, and are unwilling to forgive Maines for her comments. Another is that the trio has not made it easy for their fans to forgive and forget. Consider the lyrics to one of their new singles, "Not Ready to Make Nice":

Forgive, sounds good.
Forget, I'm not sure I could.
They say time heals everything,
But I'm still waiting

I'm through, with doubt,
There's nothing left for me to figure out,
I've paid a price, and i'll keep paying

I'm not ready to make nice,
I'm not ready to back down,
I'm still mad as hell
And I don't have time
To go round and round and round
It's too late to make it right
I probably wouldn't if I could
Cause I'm mad as hell
Can't bring myself to do what it is
You think I should

I know you said
Why can't you just get over it,
It turned my whole world around
and i kind of like it

If, as Maines sings, the Chicks are "not ready to make nice," why should their former fans feel any different?

Dixie Chicks Hit No. 1:

Although some country stations refuse to play their music, the Dixie Chicks seem are doing okay. Their new album hit number one in sales on the Billboard charts this week, and also topped the country album charts. Either their fans don't care about the trio's politics -- or they do care, and the Chicks are more popular than President Bush.

Dixie Chicks Tour Problems:

While sales of the Dixie Chicks new album remain strong, ticket sales for their concert tour have been quite disappointing, Bilboard reports.

Initial ticket sales for the Dixie Chicks' upcoming tour are far below expectations and several dates will likely be canceled or postoned.

Ticket counts for the 20-plus arena shows that went on sale last weekend were averaging 5,000-6,000 per show in major markets and less in secondaries, according to sources contacted by Billboard. Venue capacities on the tour generally top 15,000.

I suppose it is one thing to support the Dixie Chicks by buying their album, quite another to go to a show. The Chicks might miss their traditional fan base after all.