Failure to Re-Launch the Dixie Chicks
Like many conservatives, I felt a sense of Shadenfreude when the Dixie Chicks announced plans to cancel about half their concerts planned for their current tour.
While their anti-Bush comments were the single greatest contributor to their fall, several factors conspire to keep them down. More...
The Dixie Chicks burst onto the scene in the late 90's with a fresh look and a fresh sound. They combined traditional sounds like bluegrass with an irreverent sensibility (who can forget "Goodbye Earl?). Until they arrived, it's hard to recall any famous country "girl" bands (though I'm sure they existed).
But like all success, theirs spawned imitators. For example, SheDaisy has had some big hits, recently. And though Sugarland isn't an all-girl band, I would argue they are now occupying The Dixie Chick's niche.
Jennifer Nettles -- Sugarland's lead singer -- has the same spunk as Natalie Maines -- minus the anti-Bush rhetoric. And with hit tunes like Baby Girl and Something More, Sugarland has soothed the cravings that country listeners have had for the Chicks' sound.
And like the Chicks, Sugarland has proven to have crossover appeal. In fact, Nettles recently recorded a duet with Bon Jovi (Who Says You Can't Go Home?).
Were it not for Nettles, country fans might have missed the Chicks more, and thus, been more willing to forgive.
Of course, instead of fighting Sugarland for their country base, the Chicks decided to concede their country fans, hoping instead to gain success in the crossover world.
Their marketing strategy sought to re-brand them as the "thinking man's" country band. The fact that you can buy their cd at Starbucks says something. It is doubtful that Toby Keith would sell many cds at Starbucks (now Crackerbarrel, on the other hand...).
Here's the problem: How do you re-brand a band called "The Dixie Chicks" and make them endearing to the Volvo-driving, latte sipping crowd? I mean, the name screams "redneck." (I propose they rename themselves The Latte Ladies.)
As you can see, the Chicks find themselves without a home. They have been replaced in the country world -- and have not been able to successfully transition into the Starbucks world. It will be interesting to see what their next step is...
While their anti-Bush comments were the single greatest contributor to their fall, several factors conspire to keep them down. More...
The Dixie Chicks burst onto the scene in the late 90's with a fresh look and a fresh sound. They combined traditional sounds like bluegrass with an irreverent sensibility (who can forget "Goodbye Earl?). Until they arrived, it's hard to recall any famous country "girl" bands (though I'm sure they existed).
But like all success, theirs spawned imitators. For example, SheDaisy has had some big hits, recently. And though Sugarland isn't an all-girl band, I would argue they are now occupying The Dixie Chick's niche.
Jennifer Nettles -- Sugarland's lead singer -- has the same spunk as Natalie Maines -- minus the anti-Bush rhetoric. And with hit tunes like Baby Girl and Something More, Sugarland has soothed the cravings that country listeners have had for the Chicks' sound.
And like the Chicks, Sugarland has proven to have crossover appeal. In fact, Nettles recently recorded a duet with Bon Jovi (Who Says You Can't Go Home?).
Were it not for Nettles, country fans might have missed the Chicks more, and thus, been more willing to forgive.
Of course, instead of fighting Sugarland for their country base, the Chicks decided to concede their country fans, hoping instead to gain success in the crossover world.
Their marketing strategy sought to re-brand them as the "thinking man's" country band. The fact that you can buy their cd at Starbucks says something. It is doubtful that Toby Keith would sell many cds at Starbucks (now Crackerbarrel, on the other hand...).
Here's the problem: How do you re-brand a band called "The Dixie Chicks" and make them endearing to the Volvo-driving, latte sipping crowd? I mean, the name screams "redneck." (I propose they rename themselves The Latte Ladies.)
As you can see, the Chicks find themselves without a home. They have been replaced in the country world -- and have not been able to successfully transition into the Starbucks world. It will be interesting to see what their next step is...
posted by Matt Lewis at 1:47 PM
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