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Were the Grammys Rigged to Create Political Payback for the Dixie Chicks? (New song newly added)
Listen to Gnarls Barkley's Crazy. Then listen to the Dixie Chicks Not Ready to Make Nice. Then ask which song won for song of the year. If you guessed the Dixie Chicks, you understand the meaning of "something is wrong with this picture." Listen to the entire Dixie Chicks album. Then ask yourself is it sounds like a serious contender for Album of the Year.
The Dixie Chicks not only won album of the year and country album of the year for "Taking the Long Way." They also won record of the year, song of the year, and best country performance by a duo or group with vocal for the single "Not Ready To Make Nice." All of this after the infamous remarks concerning President Bush at the beginning of the war in Iraq, the insults hurled at what had been loyal Chicks fans and country fans, and the sudden drop in airplay. Add to this the plethora of cancelled tour performances. The Beatles got by with a little help from their friends, but the Dixie Chicks ain't no Beatles. Did they get by, and get political payback with more than a little help from liberals in high places behind the scenes at the 49th annual Grammy Awards? The old saying, "If it looks like a duck..." seems to be an understatement as it concerns this event. Enter Al Gore, who just happened to be a presenter squeezed in between Dixie Chicks awards, and it looks even more like a duck, or a chicken in this case. Don Henley, who has never bothered to hide his radically liberal political stripes "egged" them on with the enthusiasm of a teen-age groupie, acting like he already knew what was going down even before the "big award" went down. If you're going to tip the scales to favor the political underdog, can't you be a little more subtle? If you ask me, these fine feathered friends in high places had egg all over there faces. Next year, I'm going to boycott the Grammys. Anyone care to join me? 26 comments from 19 users
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posted by
dusty1215
on Feb 12, 2007 at 02:43 AM
I doubt the Grammy's are fixed, if that is what you are alluding to. But I do think there was political "blowback' from all the flack the Dixie Chicks have taken from the rightwingers and the radio stations, regarding their political beliefs. Bear in mind the "Chicks" have won a total of 13 grammy's btw.If your looking for a conspiracy..I doubt there is one. Are you thinking most of the music industy is left of the dial? Because if you are..I agree with you, just as the majority of the film industry is left of center as well. Sorry they don't hold the same POV as you BLT..but such is life. Even ol Merle has come out against the war hasn't he? posted by
anonymous
on Feb 12, 2007 at 08:10 AM
Just as most of professional sports and auto racing is to the right on the dial. In the end, it's a wash.
posted by
bubbaa
on Feb 12, 2007 at 08:23 AM
They're toast, anyway. The elitists can clap, smile and kowtow all they want; but the fools are toast. They were too stupid to know their audience.
posted by
ProgressivePete2
on Feb 12, 2007 at 08:31 AM
Hilarious. I'm surprised you even watched the "liberal hollywood elitist" awards show in the first place BLT. I'm not really sure what you expected, since it seems like all these awards shows end up being a liberal love fest. I think you just watched them so you could complain about them. I didn't listen to the Chicks song and I had to fast forward through Gnarls Barkley (can't stand it). Neither song was really good enough as far as I'm concerned. I do have to admit, I seriously thought about buying the Dixie Chicks album just because of how the country radio stations treated them. I may still do it. (not that I'd listen to it)
posted by
sagefever
on Feb 12, 2007 at 08:34 AM
Musical taste is arbitrary~remember when BOB DYLAN lost to someone? And political payback? How is the Chicks getting a statue/record/ whatever the award is, payback. Personal justification,maybe Some artists are probably left of center~some are not.~some stay private in their views. I watch/listen /read/view art in relation to how it makes me feel/think,rarely do I like/dislike art because of its creators politics.If the art in question is political~I still judge it on it's merits,not if I agree on the creators politics.
posted by
randomfactor
on Feb 12, 2007 at 08:35 AM
#1 country at Amazon. Apparently America likes toast in the morning.
posted by
adampayne
on Feb 12, 2007 at 08:53 AM
Yes, it certainly seemed to be a little blowback this year. Los Angeles seemed quite pleased to tell Nashville, and all those boycotting nabobs in radioland, that censorship of art is never justified. The awards have always been controversial and some choices have been very strange indeed. This year's awards were no different. The Grammy Awards program has always been about the show and the talent on hand to deliver great music. Anbd the Dixie Chicks delivered a great performance on the show.Your charge at Don Henley seems bizarre. Don Henley stepped up to the plate over the onerous contract laws in place within the music industry to try and effect some real changes. The music business needs to change in a big way to allow talented artists an opportunity to get their music played. Radio should be decentralized, or computer music radio and low bandwidth fm should be allowed to become a reality without the massive restrictions in place to thwart it. When art is controlled by so few it quashes the creative spirit and leaves the public very few choices. Don Henley champions for the artist against corporate control. I find it peculiar you would rail against one of the few individuals who took such a strong stand for art. posted by
TomW
on Feb 12, 2007 at 09:12 AM
I don't think there was any kind of conspiracy. I think a lot of people saw a chance to vote for the spirit of the music that they liked and did so. You know, the Dixie Chicks and each of their families got death threats for what they said. They probably are getting more today. If you're making music that is that powerful, maybe you deserve an award.
posted by
robbwillis
on Feb 12, 2007 at 09:21 AM
"Next year, I'm going to boycott the Grammys." Why wait a whole year? Aren't the Grammy's on every month or does it just seem like it? posted by
randomfactor
on Feb 12, 2007 at 09:22 AM
BLT, you do that and you'll *NEVER* get nominated.
posted by
woofwoof
on Feb 12, 2007 at 09:25 AM
The fact that the Dixie Chicks had their albums burned and not played on radio stations, was a throwback to the 60's. It just shows how obstinate people can be. I don't listen to their music. But that controversy was pretty forefront. So, seeing them win last nite, looked bizarre. What happened to "not listening" to their music. I thought their performance was professional, but the 1st acceptance speech was painful. Whats her face (Natalie Maines), was speechless for the first time. That made her look beaten down. People thinking "we don't want your views, we just wanna here you sing."....whatever. On the other hand, Gnarl's Barkley's Crazy was off the heezie *insert gang symbol here*. I wondered what he listened to when he was younger, because it has an old timey feel. Loved it. My kids have been singin' this tune a lot lately. posted by
NancyII
on Feb 12, 2007 at 09:38 AM
You know the old saying "There's no such thing as bad publicity?" The Chicks are living proof of that because it sounds like everyone voted with their wallet..one way or another. My feeling about them hasn't changed, I think they are overrated, undertalented, and probably not the brightest bulbs in the box. But..that's show biz. As for the comment about annual Grammys..or is it Tony's..or is it CMA..or is it Oscars..or is it the one for TV...or is it the one for commercials..or is it a pagaent..or is it a red carpet freak show? I lost track..and count. I don't watch any of them unless I hit one by channel clicking. I'd rather watch infomercials about hang nail treatment. ;-) posted by
randomfactor
on Feb 12, 2007 at 10:01 AM
posted by
rzaroch
on Feb 12, 2007 at 11:12 AM
maybe it is poilitical, but who cares. If a person is swayed politically by a dixie chick album then they are stupid.
Tha grammy's are still about record sales for the major awards anyways. Top Albums shown no love this year at the grammy's: The roots "game Theory" Tv on The Radio "return to cookie mountain" Amy Winehouse and why the hell did Luda win best rap album and song!!! oh well... posted by
steveeswenson
on Feb 12, 2007 at 11:22 AM
I love the Dixie Chicks, or at least I did when I listened to them on country radio. They certainly didn't know their audience, but having said that, banning them from country radio was caving into censorship.I have not heard one word of their new album. But their Grammys had the feel of a "we're supporting your right to bash the president." I miss Martie Maguire — that lady knows how to carry a fiddle. Natalie Maines can sing, but she needs someone to dress her better. posted by
dusty1215
on Feb 12, 2007 at 11:47 AM
lol Steve..and who in the heck did her hair?
posted by
jasonsperber
on Feb 12, 2007 at 12:14 PM
FYI WoofWoof, Gnarls Barkley is the group's name, the two principals are rapper/singer Cee-Lo Green and DJ/producer Danger Mouse, and both of them are extensive storehouses of pop-music history. If you google them, you'll find lots of press coverage about their musical backgrounds, influences, obscure sample sources, etc.
posted by
blognroll
on Feb 12, 2007 at 01:07 PM
"BLT, you do that and you'll *NEVER* get nominated." This critic agrees (see his review of my song, the song he rated #8 here): http://www.morethings.com/m... Some bridges are just too fun to burn. posted by
woofwoof
on Feb 12, 2007 at 01:29 PM
My BAD, Jason. I remember the days when someone said, Jethro Tull, he's really good. Showing my age....oh my I've come full circle. Still not too old to listen to something new. I did do some research and it seems Cee-Lo was influenced by Sly Stone and James Brown. posted by
dgrealish
on Feb 12, 2007 at 01:29 PM
It really makes little difference who the Grammy's promote, Doc. The show started with Police singing Roxanne, one of the worst songs ever recorded. I had just finished watching 60 Minutes and couldn't find the remote fast enough to save my ears a few seconds of that torture. The sheep always follow the herd, but those able to think for themselves wonder off and find new and more evolved artists to enjoy.
posted by
robbwillis
on Feb 12, 2007 at 01:55 PM
Right on dgrealish! My Police greatest hits has Roxanne as the first track, so I can always skip to the second one ASAP. I'd put it right up there with Hotel California and Hey Jude as the most over-played awful tunes ever recorded.
posted by
anonymous
on Feb 12, 2007 at 01:57 PM
Does everyone realize that in 40 years, Hip Hop will be "oldies"?....
posted by
adampayne
on Feb 12, 2007 at 05:55 PM
Woofwoof, Jethro Tull will always live in infamy for the Metal award they won over Metallica at a Grammy show many years ago.
posted by
anonymous
on Feb 12, 2007 at 06:46 PM
The ditsy twits. It was really heartwarming hearing all the singers at the Grammys say they were praying for and supporting our troops. It certainly is good to know that they appreciate the work the armed forces is doing to allow them to produce their crappy songs in freedom....
posted by
blognroll
on Feb 12, 2007 at 09:39 PM
"Your charge at Don Henley seems bizarre. Don Henley stepped up to the plate over the onerous contract laws in place within the music industry to try and effect some real changes."I was there at the courthouse in Sacramento cheering him on when he was stepping up to that very plate, Adam. I shook his hand, and the lovely hand of Courtney Love, and they both walked away with copies of lyrics to the song of support I wrote for the cause they were championing. I don't do what Don Henley decried in the song, Dirty Laundry-------kick 'em when their up, kick 'em when they're down. And I never throw the baby out with the bath water. I love the Eagles and believe that Don Henley is one of the most talented songwriters in history. But last night he looked like a dewy-eyed Dixie Chicks groupie. Thanks for all of your comments. I'm enjoying every one of them. posted by
andrewrosenstein
on Feb 12, 2007 at 10:54 PM
I think the Grammys are stupid, and stopped paying any attention to them after Steely Dan beat Radiohead for Album of the Year in 2001. And Supernatural winning in 2000? Santana is the only person who has to guest star on their own album. And I am not a Dixie Chicks fan. I lean more towards avant-garde instrumental rock such as Sigur Ros. However, it's a good album. It's not quite the peppy catch-phrasey country that I've heard from them in the past. I don't believe all the credit goes to them, Rick Rubin was at the wheel for this one, and he is quite possibly the greatest producer in the history of music (I'll put him up against Sir George Martin any day). As for "Crazy," yeah, it's a good song, but there's not a lot to it. It's the same chord progression just played with three different instruments to differentiate between the verse, chorus, and bridge. While it's a whole lot better than "Sexyback" (the best review I read for this song said that it sounded like a love song bleeped out by a computer), it's no classic. Ten years from now we'll hear it on the Pirate Radio station and think "yeah, I remember that" and nod our heads for three minutes and then change the dial and not think about it anymore. My main reason for standing up for the Dixie Chicks, besides the fact that they're right, is because that song is about something. It's not just entertainment. It is art. And I respect pieces of pop culture that actually try to mean something, even if I disagree with what they are saying. In the end, two things: I;m insanely glad James Blunt didn't win anything (that song is horrible), and for those of you who think the Grammys have any value whatsoever, Imogen Heap was nominated for best new artist. She's been around since 1998. The RIAA is a bunch of idiots who don't research their own nominees.
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