Do Country Stars’ Politics Affect Your Opinion of Them?

Suppose Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks had never made that comment about then-President George W. Bush in 2003. Despite the great music they had been giving country radio the previous five years, that remark all but torpedoed their career.

They certainly aren't the only liberals who sing country music.

Willie Nelson, anyone?

And, of course, there's Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. None of those three careers have ever been affected by their political leanings. And they shouldn't. So, what's the difference?

Are they not as vocal as the Chicks were? I've long believed that the reaction to the Dixie Chicks' comment stemmed more from the fact that the strong feelings about and the emotions generated from the terrorist attacks of 9/11 in 2001 were still very fresh, maybe even raw.

But it's the Chicks who started me wondering on what side of the political fence do our country stars stand. It certainly doesn't matter to me. Just make good music, and I'm fine. But it is a curiosity.

And it was piqued again today after reading a piece on tasteofcountry.com about Twitter comments from country artists during last night's presidential debate.

Check 'em out. See what you think.

I'll be interested to know if it really does make a difference.