Dixie Chicks: Madison offers them a haven
10:16 PM 4/03/03
Dean Mosiman and Doug Erickson Wisconsin State Journal

Attacked for knocking President Bush, the embattled Dixie Chicks may have a sanctuary in Madison, self-described "City of Tolerance."

The City Council may even play their Grammy Award-winning music during meeting breaks and tell the mayor to give the group the keys to the city should they visit.

Lead singer Natalie Maines unleashed a fury last month after telling a London audience that the group was "ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas."

Although Maines apologized for being disrespectful, Dixie Chicks music has been banned from some radio stations and their CDs destroyed. Madison's Q106-FM continues to play the band at the same rate as before the controversy, with listener feedback split for and against the group, program director Mark Grantin said.

And now to a playful rescue comes the Madison City Council, a body with a long history of dabbling in national and international affairs.

Ald. Ken Golden, 10th District, is offering a resolution letting the trio know it can become the city's adopted country music group and encouraging them to change their name to the "Heartland Chicks or Dairyland Chicks."

The resolution, co-sponsored by 10 of 20 council members, supports the group's right to dissent, calls for a Dixie Chicks CD to be played during meeting breaks and directs the mayor to present the group with the keys to the city, French wine and a "suitable welcome" if they ever visit.

Mayor Sue Bauman, saying she supports the right of free speech and recognizing the tongue and cheek tone of the resolution, supports it. The resolution will be considered Tuesday.

"I am urging the council to pass this resolution to make sure that the Chicks' right to free speech is defended and they have a protected place within which to exercise their right to dissent," Golden said.

It has nothing to do with foreign policy issues of any country, "including Texas," he said.