Severely criticized by some, shunned by others and abruptly taken off the air of most country music radio stations immediately after lead singer Natalie Maines criticized President Bush about the impending Iraq war in 2003, the Dixie Chicks came roaring back into stardom with the release last year of their newest album, "Taking the Long Way" featuring the defiant song, "Not ready to make nice."
I was never a Dixie Chicks fan until this happened, but now I make sure to buy extra copies of any music items that this "Texas Trio" produces and give them to family members and friends.
Obviously, there are quite a few others who have similar beliefs and have turned their "Taking the Long Way" CD into a huge crossover hit in both the country and pop music markets.
Congratulations and many thanks to the Dixie Chicks for practicing the freedoms of speech and expression and, eventually, benefitting and profiting from them as well.
Only in America...
Steve