Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing

Being in the music industry of course I knew who the Dixie Chicks were in 2003. A female trio country band whose tunes were infectious, Grammy's under their belts, the world at their feet. It all seemed to come crashing down when lead singer Natalie Maines in a concert in London made a comment about President George W. Bush and the impending Iraq war. The press ran with the comment like wild fire and the inferno began. Reminiscent of John Lennon's 'Jesus' statement in the 60's, Dixie Chicks burnings began. I give you the movie "Shut Up And Sing." The film is an in depth look at the Chicks phenomenon and puts their falling out of grace under a microscope. It is a brilliant documentary that takes us along the roller coaster ride of that year and beyond: right up to the making of their smash cd "Taking The Long Way." (which in February 2007 received a record number of Grammy Awards). It's hard for the academy and public to ignore a great piece of work. Their smash song "Not Ready To Make Nice," propelled the CD into the stratosphere and the accompanying video has its feet firmly planted into the ironic and poinyent with strong images that are hard to forget.