Chicks Draw Few Peeps Of Protest

By Joe Gross, American-Statesman

Camera crews almost outnumbered protesters at the Dixie Chicks' triumphant return-to-Austin concert Wednesday night at the Erwin Center.

About 6:30 p.m., as thousands of ticketholders began streaming into the sold-out arena, 12 protesters including two small children set up near Red River Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard holding signs with slogans such as "I trust Bush for national security, not the Chicks."

The protesters came from the University of Texas chapter of the Young Conservatives of Texas and the conservative group FreeRepublic.com.

"I wanted to express my disappointment with the group's comments and show my support for the president," said Young Conservatives Executive Director Brendan Steinhauser, 21.

The demonstration was prompted by Dixie Chicks singer Natalie Maines' comment during a March 10 show in London that she was ashamed that Bush is from Texas.

"The Dixie Chicks went overseas when Bush was trying to prevent a war and said something shameful," said David Armstrong of FreeRepublic.com.

Interaction between protesters and scores of loyal fans was limited to the odd shouted comment such as "Get a job" or "Thank God for dissent."

A pro-Chicks rally organized by radio station KASE drew about three times as many participants, most of them young women holding signs saying, "Chick me out" and "I'm an extreme Chicks fan."

The Chicks Come 'Home'

By: News 8 Austin Staff

The Dixie Chicks came "home" Wednesday night to a packed house at the Erwin Center. This was the first time the trio performed in Texas since singer Natalie Maines made controversial comments about President Bush.

But before the concert, Mayor Gus Garcia proclaimed "Dixie Chick's Day" here in Austin. The mayor also presented the singers a key to the city.He spoke about the comments made by the group.

"This is a free country and we have guaranteed right to free speech," said Mayor Garcia.

During the show...the group did a live performance for the Academy of Country Music Awards...which were being held in Las Vegas.

Not everyone gave the Chicks a warm welcome.

A small group of protestors gathered outside the Erwin Center, still angry about Maines' comments about the President in London.

She said she was embarrassed the President is from Texas, but has since apologized.

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