Midnight in the Garden of Good and Toby
Greetings from Savannah, Georgia.
Videographer/Director Tom Zaleski, Producer Jenny Dew and myself rolled into town a few hours ago.
I love this city. And correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Savannah, along with its deep history as a southeast port city, is also home to the second largest St. Patrick's Day celebration in the U.S. I was here about 11 years ago for the big party and yep, it's big. We're still a week away from the Irish drunkfest and already the town is well into the swing of things. Not a hotel room to be found.
We're here to film a bunch of stuff with Toby at his last show of the "Big Throw Down II" tour. Brand new album coming up for Toby April 11th, "White Trash with Money". Should be another big one. His first as owner of his own label, ShowDog Nashville.
I just told our producer this story this afternoon and thought I might share with you as well.
A few years ago, Toby and his band were playing a gig at the Country Gold Festival in Kumamoto, Japan. Late one night, the guys kidnapped me for a pub-crawl, Kumamoto style. We hit a few clubs near town and had great time trying to hide a 6'5" Okie in a crowd of locals. They didn't know who Toby was, but still, he stuck out. The attention resulted in us getting followed by a gang of "curious" party-goers. I don't think they liked us much. Everytime we turned around, the gang got bigger and more ominous looking. Being the smart people we were, we decided to head back to the one "American" bar called "Goodtime Charlies". A place owned by the concert's promoter and recent ACM international award winner Charlie Nagatani. After a few more beverages, I headed back to the hotel.
No more than 20 minutes later, the building began to shake and sway violently. We were in the middle of a pretty big earthquake. When the shaking stopped, my phone rang. It was Toby and his bass player, Chuck Goff asking me why I left. Still shaken by the quake, I said "Dude, did you not just feel that?"
Chuck replied, "Feel what?".
"The earthquake!" I yelled back.
Chuck dropped the phone down and yelled out to the bar, "Hey ya'll, Storme's on the phone saying we just had an earthquake." Loud laughter followed. I hung up.
10 minutes later, the hotel began shaking again. This time, I looked out the window just in time to see the whole city skyline swaying back and forth. It was pretty freaky. When it stopped, the phone rang again. It was Toby, laughing. "I felt that one!!"
Just one of those random memories that pop up every now and then.
Now, on to the new discussion........(click the link below)
When you think of Toby, one headline always sticks out. The big "feud" between Toby and the Dixie Chicks over Toby's song "Angry American" and the Chicks comments made in London regarding President Bush being from Texas.
Whatever your political side on the "issue", I don't care.
What I do care about is your thoughts on whether Country radio will or should play the Chicks new music due to hit the airwaves in the next few months.
They say they don't want any part of the Country industry. Should Country radio ignore them?
Should politics play a role in how Music is played? Have they paid enough of a price to be forgiven for Natalie's comments? Do you care?
Can't wait to read your comments.
Comments
I don't think politics (including radio station politics) should play a role in what music is played, country or otherwise. If, however, from what I'm hearing, the new music from the Dixie Chicks is not country (however that is defined by each person), then the Dixie Chicks shouldn't expect it to be played on country radio.
Paula
Posted by: Paula | March 12, 2006 08:17 AM
i dont think the dixie chicks should be played on country stations if they dont want anything to do with the country music industry.
Posted by: conniematthews | March 12, 2006 11:28 PM
Hey there. I saw you at the Savannah concert last night. It was awesome! I had to say, I cried when he came back out and sang "American Soldier". My nephew was killed in Iraq a couple years back and people don't realize what these guys sacrifice for us day after day. The song never hit me before, but last night, it did.
My favorite part: "Angry American". It was nice to see everyone shoot up out of their seats, American flags in hand, and sing this song back to Toby. No matter where we stand politically, it's always amazing when one song and one artist can make us all stand up together, united and proud to be Americans. Toby did that.
As for Natalie, I'm still a fan of their music. I can appreciate it and all the hard work they put into their past albums. Now, if she says she doesn't want anything to do with country music, and their new cd isn't country, then why should country play it? But, if it is country...and it's good, then it deserves to be played.
I didn't care for her comments in London about our President, but she had that right. I think what made me mad the most was her reaction to the fans. She's still very bitter about that and she fail to bring it up in almost every major interview. She has to understand all of us have to be prepared to stand by what we said and what reaction we get from it. She's really come out against the fans and country music in the past few years and it's left many with a bad taste in their mouth. It'll be interesting to see what happens next in their career and if they can rebound from her comments.
That said, it's been so long since the feud and controversy first arised. So many other entertainers have said and done worse in the last three years. Far worse than Natalie.
I think it's time to let it go. If the Dixie Chicks really want nothing to do with country music, then I think country music should have nothing to do with them. But, if she does, I say let's give them another chance.
Posted by: Gennie | March 13, 2006 02:40 PM
Hey Storme - how come I had to hear it from someone else that you have a blog???
Anyway, once I read Natalie's comments that she was "pretty much done" with country music, I was done with her too. However, Sony IS working the single to country radio, and we added it last weekend to XM's Highway 16. No consultants making decisions here - we leave it up to the fans to decide.
We've been blown away by requests for the song! I have yet to see one single negative reaction to us playing it. And being national, we don't have to contend with red state and blue state audiences. From where I sit - it's going over great, coast-to-coast.
I personally don't think it's very country, or even a very good song. But that's just my opinion, and clearly I'm outvoted!
You're an XM listener - how do YOU think it sounds on Highway 16?
J.
Posted by: Producer J. | March 13, 2006 07:07 PM
Hi Storme!
I personally don't think politics should have anything to do with music, but it's human nature that they will be intertwined. One artist speaks out and is made an outcast (not even taking into account her recent comments)--how else is she supposed to feel? If you look around now, we have Tim and Faith, Kanye West. Before the Dixie Chicks there was always Emmylou. Odds are, none of these artists will get the same "punishment" that the Dixie Chicks did (and I disagree that it was because they made their comments on foreign soil). They all did what they believed in, they spoke out for what they believed in, and all we got was part of a soundbite.
If any one of us went through what they did, I'm sure we wouldn't want a part of country music either--I think it's time for everyone to give their new music a chance. I've heard some songs from the new album; they sound country to me, especially the new single. A lot more country than many songs on the radio currently. The Dixie Chicks label is Sony Music NASHVILLE. Let's keep it there. :)
Posted by: Sandi | March 13, 2006 10:27 PM
Hi Storme:
What an honor it was to meet you in Savannah on Sunday! Thank you so much for taking the time away from your busy schedule to talk with us. You are such a wonderful person and we certainly enjoyed meeting you. My response to your blog is "NO" Country Music shouldn't welcome the Dixie Chicks back. I personally have never, ever cared for them or their music. And being the die-heart Toby Fan I am, their fight, had nothing to do with the way I feel about them, but it did just add more fuel to the fire! Keep up the good work and all the great specials and espcially anything about the Warriors "BIG DAWG"! You are terrific!!
Posted by: Carol Johnson | March 15, 2006 02:30 PM
I never cared for the Dixie Chicks or their music. I won't miss them on my country station.
Posted by: Ruth Miller | March 15, 2006 03:05 PM
Hi Storme,
No way should the Dixie Chicks be played on country stations (or any station in my opinion). Natalie has a big mouth & no thought for her actions - personnally I feel she still owes Toby a huge apology! I admire him for not adding fuel to her fire - out with the Dixie Chicks!!!
I was at Toby's concert in Columbia, SC the night before he played Savannah. It was awesome and his rendition of "Angry American" truly caused me to get goose-bumps!
Posted by: Janis Wiley | March 21, 2006 02:58 PM