DJs suspended for playing the Dixie Chicks

Amazing:

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Country station KKCS has suspended two disk jockeys for playing the Dixie Chicks, violating a ban imposed after the group criticized President Bush.

Natalie Maines told a London concert audience just before the war in Iraq that, "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas."

"We pulled their music two months ago, and it's been a difficult decision because how can you ignore the hottest group in country music," said station manager Jerry Grant.

He said there has been discussion about whether to reinstate the music, but the DJs, Dave Moore and Jeff Singer became impatient.

"They made it very clear that they support wholeheartedly the president of the United States. They support wholeheartedly the troops, the military. But they also support the right of free speech," said Grant.

The station has received a couple of hundred calls and 75 percent favored playing the music.

Grand said Moore and Singer will be out for a couple of days.

"I gave them an alternative: stop it now and they'll be on suspension, or they can continue playing them and when they come out of the studio they won't have a job."

The station plans to play the group's music again eventually.

"Most stations are starting to play them again anyhow a song here, a song there. I just have a problem with the way this was done. We would have put them in anyhow. But wed like to do it on our terms," he said.

Surprisingly enough, they're not part of the Clear Channel evil empire. I can't seem to get to their web page right now - I'll bet they're getting more traffic than usual.

UPDATE: Someone in the comments thread at skippy's site thinks the whole thing may just be a ratings stunt.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on May 06, 2003 to Music | TrackBack