Chicks sweep; what's the message to Big Media?

"We're ready to make nice!" Natalie Maines announced as the Dixie Chick raked in five awards at the Grammy's last night, including album of the year. It was easy for her to be in a charitable mood, with the Chicks winning every single category they were nominated in and, in a rebuke to Clear Channel and the big wigs of country radio, country album of the year.

The "best country" award allowed Maines to say "heh heh" to the country stations that went into an anti-Chick frenzy after Maines criticized President Bush at a 2003 London concert. But the country execs should also take note of what the Chicks did for country music: Taking the Long Way is only the third country-oriented album to win overall "best album" award (pop quiz: who can name the other two, without google-peeking?)

The other big country winner was 2005 American Idol winner Carrie Underwood (Best New Artist, Best Female Country Vocal Performance), although her response to a question about the Chicks reveals that it's still a touchy subject in the country world:

But when asked if The Dixie Chicks' multiple victories last night represented a "middle finger" to the country-music establishment, which shunned the trio and its latest album, Underwood suddenly grew quiet. "Next question, please," she said in a whisper. When asked again to answer the question, she uncomfortably offered an evasive response. "All I can say is I'm happy for them," Underwood said.

The Chicks' sweep brings some closure to the band's almost four-year battle with corporate radio, chronicled in the documentary Shut Up and Sing. Maybe it will also rekindle debate about Clear Channel Radio and free exchange of ideas in Big Media.

Owning over 1,220 radio and 39 TV stations, the solidly conservative Clear Channel was a leader in the assault against the Dixie Chicks, as part of an overall strategy to bolster support for Bush Administration policies. Among the Texas-based media behemoth's actions:

* In March 2003, Clear Channel affiliates organized pro-war rallies across the country, under the name Rally for America, which coincided with the launch of the Iraq war. Clear Channel denied sponsoring the rallies, yet "they were promoted repeatedly by the company's widely syndicated radio personality Glenn Beck."

* According to reporters Robert Weissman and Russell Mokhiber, Clear Channel has "compiled a record of 'repeated law-breaking' ... violating the law -- including prohibitions on deceptive advertising and on broadcasting conversations without obtaining permission of the second party to the conversation -- on 36 separate occasions over the previous three years."

* In a bizarre move, Clear Channel created a fake "pirate" radio station in Akron, OH, complete with "a manifesto about 'corporate-controlled music playlists' that took potshots at several local Clear Channel stations," according to the New York Times. But it was later revealed to be part of a "guerilla marketing campaign" to deflect criticism about Clear Channel's dominance of the airwaves.

Of course, Clear Channel isn't the only one: even more brazen was Cumulus Media, which owns 262 stations, and explicitly banned its 42 country stations from playing the Chicks. The censorship was so egregious that Senator John McCain (R-AZ) was moved to chastise Cumulus chair Lewis Dicky:

"It's a strong argument about what media concentration has the possibility of doing," McCain told Cumulus Chairman Lewis W. Dickey Jr., the Los Angeles Times reported. "If someone else offends you, and you decide to censor those people, my friend, the erosion of our First Amendment is in progress."

Back to the Grammy's: How is the whole issue going down in the Chicks' home state? A visit to town paper in conservative Lubbock, Texas reveals a diverse and decidedly non-rabid range of opinions -- with the majority saying the Chicks should be able to say what they want, although they like their early music better:

Christy Troutman, 20, who doesn't listen to the Chicks, said the group's views should not have been a factor in their Grammy awards. "It should be given to them because of their talent and abilities, not their views of politics," she said.

Lisa Hase, 20, is a Dixie Chicks fan, even though she doesn't agree with their "government bashing." "I like their music," she said. "I think this CD (Taking the Long Way) is one of their best by far."

Cory Pointer, 33, also wanted the Dixie Chicks to win it. "I like them," he said. "Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but, I like their older stuff better than their newer stuff."

Jason Degray, 28, agreed that the Dixie Chicks should be judged by their music, not their actions. "That's a free speech issue," he said. He added that he doesn't care for their new stuff and prefers their older albums.

Brandi Gonzales, 29, likes the Dixie Chicks music, but feels they are "disrespectful." She said she listens to the Chicks on the radio, but was hoping for someone else to win at the Grammy's. "I like other bands better," she said.

John Briggs, 56, said the Dixie Chicks did not deserve a Grammy. "It's OK to have freedom of speech, but sometimes people go overboard," he said, adding he likes their music, especially their first albums, but is burned out on them now.