Politics and the Grammys
February 14th 2007 06:25
I see that the Dixie Chicks won big on Sunday at the Grammys. Apparently, they were nominated in five categories and won in each one (including the three top awards - song, record, and album). They even won the award for top country album despite the fact that they no longer claim to be a country band and despite the fact that they get almost no airplay on country radio stations anymore. Go figure.
Obviously, there was a little more going on than the recognition of talented musical artists. This is regrettable but not unexpected. It would've been bigger news if they hadn't swept the awards. The music and movie industries take advantage of every opportunity to display their politics to the world. Subtlety is not their strong suit.
I don't mind that the Dixie Chicks could be up for and even win an award. They are somewhat talented. I even tapped my foot and bobbed my head to one of their songs a few years back. But for them to sweep the awards like they did? Please. And I do hate it for other artists that they were competing against both the Dixie Chicks and the compelling urge of the voters to shoot a big figurative bird at Bush. It's regrettable that these award shows can't just be about quality of the music.
I guess there's nothing that can be done about it at this point. I don't expect the overtly political "powers that be" who have now usurped the award shows to learn restraint any time soon. That ship has sailed and someone broke off the rudder. It's not coming back to shore.
I understand that there is a history of using music and movies as political protests. I just don't like it. I wish the singers and the movie folks would just check their politics at the door. I really don't care to know what they think about the hot-button issues of our times. I just want to be able to ring the little bell and then watch them come out and entertain me. Is that too much to ask?
And for what it's worth, I would be equally as irritated if politicians were constantly breaking out in song on the Senate and House floors. That would be outrageous! I only watch their proceedings when I want a good laugh and if they started mixing in music, they would get a seriously worded letter from this constituent!
)
Obviously, there was a little more going on than the recognition of talented musical artists. This is regrettable but not unexpected. It would've been bigger news if they hadn't swept the awards. The music and movie industries take advantage of every opportunity to display their politics to the world. Subtlety is not their strong suit.
I don't mind that the Dixie Chicks could be up for and even win an award. They are somewhat talented. I even tapped my foot and bobbed my head to one of their songs a few years back. But for them to sweep the awards like they did? Please. And I do hate it for other artists that they were competing against both the Dixie Chicks and the compelling urge of the voters to shoot a big figurative bird at Bush. It's regrettable that these award shows can't just be about quality of the music.
I guess there's nothing that can be done about it at this point. I don't expect the overtly political "powers that be" who have now usurped the award shows to learn restraint any time soon. That ship has sailed and someone broke off the rudder. It's not coming back to shore.
I understand that there is a history of using music and movies as political protests. I just don't like it. I wish the singers and the movie folks would just check their politics at the door. I really don't care to know what they think about the hot-button issues of our times. I just want to be able to ring the little bell and then watch them come out and entertain me. Is that too much to ask?
And for what it's worth, I would be equally as irritated if politicians were constantly breaking out in song on the Senate and House floors. That would be outrageous! I only watch their proceedings when I want a good laugh and if they started mixing in music, they would get a seriously worded letter from this constituent!
)
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