Rock Docs Podcast: Dixie Chicks: Shut Up & Sing with guest Dylan Tupper Rupert

Rock Docs revisits the early 2000s, country music and antiwar protests this week. Back in 2003, the Dixie Chicks—now known simply as The Chicks—became the subject of a widespread backlash because of member Natalie Maines’ statement, “We do not want this war, this violence. We’re ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas,” said in reference to George W. Bush and the Iraq War.

Dixie Chicks: Shut Up & Sing, tells the story of the fallout from that statement, in the context of the political climate in the early 2000s, the Iraq War, and the Bush administration. It covers the period of time between 2003 and 2006, and the making of the group’s album Taking the Long Way and the tour that followed. Though the film centers around the controversy that followed the band in the immediate aftermath of speaking out against the war, it also offers a showcase of their musicianship as well as a view of the bond between Maines, Martie Maguire and Emily Robison as they faced one of the biggest challenges of their career.

This week’s guest is music writer and podcast producer Dylan Tupper Rupert, whose writing has been published at NPR, Rolling Stone, The Guardian and more.

Listen to the latest episode below, and check out the trailer for Shut Up & Sing.