Country Music Deserts George Bush

[babylonsister]

Country Music Deserts George Bush
by Tim Shipman in Washington

Country music has thrived for years as the soundtrack to redneck America, supplying the Republican heartlands with a diet of knee-jerk jingoism that has included flag-waving anthems supporting the war on terror.

But as the US death toll rises in Iraq and public patience with the conflict - and with George W. Bush - diminishes, many anti-war songs are emerging from Nashville, Tennessee, home of the genre.

No one has moved further than Toby Keith and Darryl Worley, two of the biggest names in country music.

In 2002, Keith had a huge hit with Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue, which includes the lyric: “You’ll be sorry that you messed with the US of A, ’cause we’ll put a boot in your ass - it’s the American Way.”

Worley’s Have You Forgotten in 2003 justified the Iraq invasion as a response to the September 11 attacks. The military liked it so much he was presented with a flag that had flown over the Pentagon.

Now Keith says he is a lifelong Democrat and has claimed he never supported the war, while Worley has had a hit with I Just Came Back from a War, about a soldier returning from Iraq with post-traumatic stress disorder.

more...

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/09/23/4045/

[Kierkegaard]

1. Who woulda thought

they'd turn out to be opportunistic hypocrites?

[LostInAnomie]

4. Exactly

It has far more to do with opportunism than an ideological shift.

[Cha]

26. Certainly, not Natalie Maines

when she wore her FUTK tee at their concert!! ;)

[mitchum]

55. THAT is the truth (n/t)

[lpbk2713]

2. If I recall correctly Merle Haggard has made a few songs critical about BushCo

and his bogus war. I don't keep up with C&W music but if memory serves me well Haggard has had at least a couple of songs in that vein, and this isn't just a recent thing for him either.

I tend to think a lot of entertainers no longer want to be associated with the rethuglican party because the GOP now has a reputation as the party of thieves, liars, and sex offenders.

[Jeanette in FL]

5. So did Willie Nelson

I remember a song he did around Christmas time, "Whatever happened with Peace on Earth". Something like that.

Not all C&W went on the Bush Mobile Tour.

[lpbk2713]

8. True

Shame on me for forgetting Willie.

And if Johnny Cash was still around I'm sure we'd be hearing a lot from him too.

[Jeanette in FL]

10. I miss the old voices of country

I am sure that Johnny Cash would have lots to say.

I wish that some of our old Rock stars would come out a little bit stronger too. Music reaches people better than a spoken word.

[Ishoutandscream2]

22. Yep, when country was country

Not pop. I'm missing Johnny and Buck, myself.

[Cha]

27. Right, there's been the

mrd in Nashville for quite awhile.. http://www.musicrowdemocrats.com/

They supported Kerry in 2004!

[AwakeAtLast]

48. John Prine, too n/t

[Treclo]

60. an oldie, but (still relevent), goodie from Mr. Prine...

Your flag decal won't get you
into heaven anymore.
They're already overcrowded
from your dirty little war.
Now Jesus don't like killin'
no matter what the reason's for,
and your flag decal won't get you
Into Heaven Any More.

[AX10]

3. The gangs that run music row don't want to be on the wrong...

side of aisle. They see the nation is fed up with this crap and they want to sell records. Jingoistic nonsense only sells to the Fox "News" crowd these days.

[Clark2008]

6. Music Row Democrats have been against him for years:

http://musicrowdemocrats.com/index.php?option=com_magazine&Itemid=29

[JohnnyLib2]

7. Opportunistic or not, it counts IMO.

At local events, fireworks, flags, Bible-thumping and country music all merge together. "Stand up, stand up for America" might yet be heard at
an anti-war rally. :thumbsup:

[BlooInBloo]

9. Aw fuck - hope it's not coming to infect US.

[onethatcares]

11. I'll join you with that sentiment.

the last thing we need is some jingoistic bullshit for the cause of peace. Although whoever sang, "what's so crazy bout peace love and understanding " has my vote. Along with whoever wrote "Ain't gonna study war no more'.

It's a shame phil ochs died so young.

[ConsAreLiars]

62. Phil Ochs was a Buddha-grade Truthteller. Any who have not heard his voice should go to

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5pgrKSwFJE&mode=related&search=

Browse through all the songs. You'll find more truth in those words than a year of Corporate Media.

And to those who may have forgotten, give a new listen.

[PDenton]

12. country music at least can have different themes

Most rock is just nihilistic stuff. U2 is maybe an exception, but mostly Rock is just sticking your finger to the man... for any reason at all. no point really. Pop music is 99 percent puppy love songs, the same crap over and over, so I don't listen to pop, ever.

I don't listen to alot of country but you hear alot of different songs. Some are jingoistic but country is one of the few genres where you hear songs about people down on their luck.

[mitchum]

56. Huh? The bulk of contemporary country has been for quite awhile nothing...

more than cataloging signifiers of "country identity"
Just a bunch of bumper sticker sentiments set to prefab sounds.

[Hissyspit]

13. Comment at the site: "Fleas jump off wet dogs" n/t

[Cha]

30. What does that even mean?

toby keith is flea and bush is a wet dog?

[Hissyspit]

51. Yes.

Flea is small parasitic creature.

Dog STINKS.

Wet dog no longer serves flea's needs.

[Paladin]

14. I Heard The Dixie Chicks On A Denver C&W Station Yesterday

The first time I've heard them on the radio since the backlash over their comments about Bush so long ago. I think this is a direct result of the majority of the country---red state country and western fand included---coming around to being sick and tired of this stupid war.

And Toby Keith and Darryl Worley can kiss my ass. Those brain-dead songs they did in 2002 and 2003 inflamed the ugliest sort of war lust and fascistic tendencies in this country. Some things are unforgivable.....

[truedelphi]

36. very good to hear that finally radio is opening up to them again

Though their albums (oops - CDs) sold nicely even without radio playing them

Just watched the Dixie Chicks documentary "Shut up and sing" or "Stand up and sing" on cable

Radio blacklisting them hurt them in the sales of tickets to their concerts - people didn't even know thqat The Dixie Chicks were playing in the area.

[movonne]

15. What I would like to see is Reba apologize to the Dixie Chicks and

also toby keith..

[BlooInBloo]

16. Americans, especially southern, don't apologize, nor even admit they were wrong...

... Hence "The War Of Northern Aggression".

[AX10]

57. True.

Especially regarding southerners. :puke:

[Cha]

32. Yeah, I mentioned

reba, too, cause she was out there with her smirky snideness all the way.

[earth mom]

41. Reba was on Oprah the other day and I had to turn the channel because i am so disgusted by her.

:puke:

[senseandsensibility]

43. What did she say?

Is she still pro-war?

[earth mom]

44. I watched the Justin Timberlake part, but when they announced Reba, I turned it off.

I think Reba was going to sing a duet with Kelly Clarkson.

BTW-anyone know if Kelly and Justin rethugs too? I sure hope not!

[AX10]

58. I feel that way about 90%+ of country music.

[fishwax]

17. Toby Keith's comments there are nothing new

As far as I know, he's always claimed to be a lifelong democrat, and I remember him making a distinction very early on that his song was about Afghanistan and specifically NOT about the war in Iraq.

(I'm no Toby Keith fan, but back then I lived in Oklahoma, where his comments always got a lot of coverage.)

[OKNancy]

33. Yep.. another Okie here and Keith has said he was a Dem

all along. ( I don't like him either...one must always put that in a post here )
Your post is accurate about what he said about the song. He has also supported local Democrats.

[Bitwit1234]

18. Just like bush's buddies making a mint off the war so did Keith

now that the tide has turned against bush and all the war monglers he is trying to get in the good graces of the public again...STILL TRYING TO MAKE MONEY...I wouldn't take one of his CD's if he gave it to me.

[Ian David]

19. See also: Music Row Democrats

http://www.musicrowdemocrats.com/

[Ian David]

20. And I still say, F.U.T.K. you pandering, lying son of a bitch.

DIXIE CHICKS RULE!

[madmom]

23. Yeah!!!!!! What he said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PA Democrat]

53. I agree with Natalie Maines, F.U.T.K.

Toby Keith supported Bush for president in 2004 and performed at a rally for Bush in Dallas on the eve of the election. He claims to be a "conservative democrat" and says that he finds the democrats embarrassing at times.

Well, Toby, WE find YOU to be a big fat embarrassment, and a pandering flip flopper.

[Cobalt-60]

61. We'd like to have you back tk...

It's just that the stench of fascism is still on you.
I recommend a stronger detergent like open criticism of Bush and the republicans to render you fit for decent company.
For now you sleep in the barn.

[mudesi]

21. Flip flop flip flop flip flop!

Amazing, isn't it?

[sendero]

24. They're all just following in Garth Brooks' footsteps..

... it's all about selling, selling, selling and selling out.

[spanone]

35. check out garth brooks lyrics....

WE SHALL BE FREE

stephanie davis - garth brooks

This ain't comin' from no prophet
Just an ordinary man
When I close my eyes I see
The way this world shall be
When we all walk hand in hand

When the last child cries for a crust of bread
When the last man dies for just words that he said
When there's shelter over the poorest head
We shall be free

When the last thing we notice is the color of skin
And the first thing we look for is the beauty within
When the skies and the oceans are clean again
Then we shall be free

We shall be free
We shall be free
Stand straight, walk proud
'Cause we shall be free
When we're free to love anyone we choose
When this world's big enough for all different views
When we all can worship from our own kind of pew
Then we shall be free
We shall be free

We shall be free
Have a little faith
Hold out
'Cause we shall be free

And when money talks for the very last time
And nobody walks a step behind
When there's only one race and that's mankind
Then we shall be free

We shall be free
We shall be free
Stand straight, walk proud, have a little faith, hold out
We shall be free

We shall be free
We shall be free
Stand straight, have a little faith

We shall be free

[earthlover]

45. it is so obvious all country music is jingoistic! SARC

Great lyrics. I find it laughable that some people are so ignorant as to actually believe all country is jingoistic. I would be embarrassed if I were one of these and read these lyrics. Prejudices abound.

[Cha]

25. The Dixie Chicks were so

ahead of their time!

Wonder if ol' reba has seen the light as far as her "hero" g-w-bush is concerned?

[AlCzervik]

28. it's a lot easier to jump off the bandwagon now.

[malaise]

29. Does anyone support Bush? n/t

[AlCzervik]

31. his mom?

[PA Democrat]

54. Word is Barney's looking for a chance to bolt.

Free Barney now!

[malaise]

64. LOL

:rofl:

[villager]

34. I'm still waiting for an updated cover of "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town"

You'd only need to change a single word to make it about Iraq, instead of Vietnam...

[Stardust]

37. Disgusting song, IMO>

[villager]

42. So then don't be the one who covers it...

n/t

[Bluebear]

65. Why is that song so disgusting?

[Froward69]

38. I still listen too

Green Day... "Idiot American" came out before the Dixie Chick thing. Country has had this thing of following the political wind. whereas Rock pushes against it constantly. :smoke: :toast: :yourock:

[AX10]

59. True.

[otohara]

39. Well Then, It's Country Radio's Duty to Smear These People

and host CD burning events in their parking lots, just as they did The Dixie Chicks. Organize hateful e-mail campaigns and death threats.

[earth mom]

40. Have they apologized to the Dixie Chicks yet?

:grr:

[NashVegas]

46. "Music Row" Stars Sing What Their Managers and Labels Tell Them To

It's the ultimate form of political (and economical) correctness.

[illinoisprogressive]

47. he is fried if country music abandons him

[AwakeAtLast]

49. That's what I was thinking

Can't use country stations as their extra propaganda anymore.

[Initech]

50. It's absolutely amazing how many people have jumped the Bush ship

[in_cog_ni_to]

52. AND the Dixie Chicks lead the way! FUCK TOBY KEITH!

That Rat Bastard should have HIS CDs burned! Fucker.

[XOKCowboy]

63. Darryl Worley is Al Franken's buddy...

They've been on at least a couple of USO Iraq and Afghanistan tours together. Darryl was on Al's show a couple of times.

[npincus]

66. K&R

[DinahMoeHum]

67. Keith and Worley owe the Dixie Chicks a gold-plated, diamond-studded apology.

n/t

[proud2BlibKansan]

68. Toby Keith is an asshole and a liar

My sister sat near him during a 4 day basketball tournament here and she has some horrific stories to tell about him. He screamed and yelled profanities, he tried to get into a physical fight with a fan from another team sitting in front of him, he spilled his beer all over the woman in front of him and ruined her camera and cell phone that were sitting in her purse under her seat. Her husband had to go get security to calm Toby down after the woman asked for him to pay to replace her property. He kept yelling "Don't you know who I am?" like that gave him the right to be an ass and destroy her camera and cell phone. And this nonsense went on for FOUR DAYS.

Now I see he is lying about his support of the war. No surprise there. Toby Keith has no integrity.