Political Strains in Country Music

This chapter explores the backlash the Dixie Chicks faced for political dissent in the country music scene and contrasts it with the more open criticism found in hip hop. It highlights how Toby Keith's song 'Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue' shaped his public persona and the genre's political landscape. The chapter also examines the complexities of lyrical content in country music, particularly surrounding themes of violence and political divides, and how these themes resonate with audiences in a changing cultural context.