Not Ready to Make Nice

This evening, on 60 Minutes, the Dixie Chicks were profiled. The story starts out with the note about the Chicks making a comment, on the eve of the Iraq invasion, of how they were embarrassed that President Bush was from their state.

Now I am not a country music fan, nor am I a "progressive." I didn't have the slightest interest in listening, let alone purchasing an album created by the Dixie Chicks. But I do engage in product marketing for a living. And I would say, that by making an anti-Presidential comment, their careers are over.

Not being a country music fan, I can't say I know where all the musicians and bands are from. But one thing I do know, is that I don't recall any muscian from Arkansas ever mentioning s/he was ashamed of President Clinton. It just doesn't happen. People who listen to country music are probably more patriotic than the average joe. They don't like anti-American rhetoric, and probably ascribe to the thought that you don't ever tell your opinion to those outside of your family (Godfather part I).

By the Dixie Chicks aggressively marketing themselves as against the President, they are alienating their most loyal base: flag-waving, blue-collar, country music fans. If you were to take a realistic scientific poll, my guess is that 70% of country fans voted for President Bush in 2000 and 2004. They are probably strongly in the camp of those who still support him and they are likely overwhelmingly likely to have sent a son or daughter to war, in either Afghanistan or Iraq.

Ladies, know your market. Are you likely to be a novelty in the "progressive community?" Sure, but my guess is that won't pay the bills. Good thing you already made your millions. Enjoy it.