Pure Country

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Travis Tritt Slams Dixie Chick, Antiwar Celebs
Singer Says Maines Comment Was Cowardly

POSTED: 1:09 p.m. EST March 18, 2003
UPDATED: 6:50 p.m. EST March 18, 2003

Country superstar Travis Tritt is taking Dixie Chick singer Natalie Maines and the celebrity antiwar movement to task over recent remarks about President George W. Bush and the impending war with Iraq.

Tritt said in a statement that while he's never felt it was his place as an entertainer to get in the middle of any political debate waged by other celebrities, recent comments made by some of my fellow entertainers caused him not to hold his tongue any longer.

Maines said at a Dixie Chicks' concert in London last week, "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas."

The singer said it was cowardly for Maines to make the crack about Bush while overseas, and said, "I dare her to go to the (Houston) Astrodome and say that."

But even more, Tritt is upset that the remark was several months late. He said when it's this close to actual conflict, nobody's mind will be changed.

Maines' has since apologized to Bush for the remark on the Chicks' Web site, but fans and radio stations are still protesting the group throughout the United States.

Tritt urged that now is the time for "regular ordinary people" to get entertainers' attention by hitting them in the pocketbook.

"Celebrities have a public forum to voice their opinions, which makes folks think that they are representing the majority, when in fact they represent the minority," Tritt said in a statement. "Fans ask me all the time what they can do to be heard and I tell them the best way to have an impact is to hit'em in their pocketbook. Don't spend your money on what they're selling, be it movies, magazines or music.

Tritt acknowledged in the statement that "no one wants to go to war," but "it's the only solution to some of the complex situations like we're faced with in today's world."

The singer said after spending time with troops and their families in Ft. Bragg, N.C., that its imperative that Americans respect and support our troops overseas, whether they agree with President Bush or not.

"(I) observed both their dedication and their vulnerability. Hearing negative comments from fellow Americans -- especially those in the public eye -- is destructive and damaging to the morale of our servicemen and women and to our country in general," said Tritt. "Our military men and women are putting their lives on the line for each and every one of us and deserve nothing but our unfailing respect and support."

Tritt reassured in the statement that he's a "champion of our First Amendment privileges," but urged caution when speaking.

"I feel it is one of our God-given rights as Americans to speak our minds freely and honestly," Tritt said. "The First Amendment is one of the things that makes our country great. However, in such a fragile time in the world with that privilege comes the need to be responsible and mindful of the repercussions."