2 DJs suspended for playing Dixie Chicks

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), May 6, 2003 | by ROBIN ROTHMAN

Management at country station KKCS (101.9 FM) suspended morning jocks Dave Moore and Jeff Singer on Monday for violating the station's ban of the Dixie Chicks, according to general manager Jerry Grant.

The station's anti-Chick policy was imposed after lead singer Natalie Maines told a British newspaper she was "ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas."

The band immediately suffered severe backlash as their songs, including two charted singles, were deleted from radio play. KKCS was among the stations to take them out of rotation.

"We pulled their music two months ago, and it's been a difficult decision because how can you ignore the hottest group in country music? " Grant said.

Grant said there has been much discussion at the station about whether to reinstate the trio's music. But the impatient disc jockeys decided to bypass internal radio politics.

"Dave in particular . . . has been a real proponent of the fact that this is a free country, and people have the right to say things even though they're stupid," Grant said. "They made it very clear that they support wholeheartedly the president of the United States. They support wholeheartedly the troops, the military. But they also support the right of free speech."

The stunt, whether insubordinate or promotional - radio stations are in a ratings period - got the attention of listeners. Grant says the station has received a couple of hundred calls, and that they were in favor of playing the Chicks by three to one.

The public has spoken, but free speech only extends so far when you're defying company policy.

According to Grant, Moore and Singer won't return for a couple of days.

"I gave them an alternative: stop it now and they'll be on suspension, or they can continue playing them and when they come out of the studio they won't have a job."

The station plans to eventually play Dixie Chicks music again.

"Most stations are starting to play them again anyhow - a song here, a song there. I just have a problem with the way this was done. We would have put them in anyhow. But we'd like to do it on our terms," he said.

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