In May of 2003, Two Colorado DJs Were Suspended for Standing in Solidarity With The Chicks

Music and politics go hand and hand. However, at the same time, they don’t. Many musicians have used their platforms to spread awareness through poignant lyrics and intellectual commentary, and while these tactics certainly accomplish just that, they also typically stir up a bit of trouble. It is a tale as old as time, and one band to have perpetuated that tale is the all-female country music group, the Chicks.

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The Chicks have always been a country band with a clear message. Notably, the Chicks changed their name from the Dixie Chicks, given its tie to the Confederacy and slavery. In addition to that political action, the Chicks also once criticized President George W. Bush and the Iraq War. Specifically, during a concert in London, the Chicks stated that they were ashamed that Bush was from their home state of Texas due to the fact that he was facilitating the invasion of Iraq.

Consequently, there was a nationwide animosity held towards the Chicks. Folks boycotted their goods and services, burned their CDs, and even wrote death threats to the country music group. Furthermore, several radio stations banned their music from appearing on the air. Including the Colorado-based radio station, KKCS 102 FM. However, two DJs employed by the station went against the ban and made music history.

According to These DJs, the Chicks Needed To Be Heard

Following the Chicks’ comments, KKCS 102 FM banned their music from the radio waves. Although, DJs Dave Moore and Jeff Singer believe this to be a direct infringement of the First Amendment. Thus, on their own accord, Moore and Singer locked themselves in the studio and played the Chicks’ music for several hours.

While Moore and Singer openly stated that they supported George W. Bush and the military, they also stated that they supported the right to free speech. Regardless, the two DJs were given an ultimatum—They could keep playing the Chicks’ music and suffer the consequences, or the contrary. Evidently, they chose the prior, and as a result, they were suspended from their position on May 5, 2003.

Concerning the decision, the station’s General Manager, Jerry Grant, stated, “I called the studio to tell them that they had two choices, either keep playing the Chicks as they were doing, and they would have no jobs when they came out, or come out of the studio by noon and they would have a couple days suspension. They chose the latter,” per wsws.org.

Moore and Singer’s actions are ones the masses have seen before. However, that doesn’t make them any less admirable, regardless of what you believe.

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