Dixie Chicks Honored by ACLU
Feb 13, 2007 The Dixie Chicks were honored in December by the ACLU for defending liberty and the right to free speech in the face of overwhelming pressure. Lead vocalist Natalie Maines said she's proud to be a card-carrying member and "It hasn't taken courage to stand strong, just a first-grade education."
Dixie Chicks Enjoy Grammy Revenge
Feb 12, 2007 The Dixie Chicks, who became country music pariahs after the band's lead singer criticized President Bush in 2003, swept the Grammys on Sunday, winning every award the band was nominated for -- five in all -- plus a standing ovation.
Doherty of Mamas and Papas Dead at 66
Jan 20, 2007 The Mamas and the Papas' Denny Doherty died on Friday at the age of 66. The singer had suffered a brief illness and was experiencing kidney problems.
Paul Cummins: We Reap What We Sow
Jan 18, 2007 A wildly successful Venezuelan governmental program that makes free musical instruments and training available to all children should serve as a model for the U.S. as we struggle to keep guns out of kids' hands.Froma Harrop: The James Brown Paradox
Dec 31, 2006 When they said a candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long, they couldn't have been talking about James Brown, whose surprising longevity made fools of the health-conscious.
James Brown Dead at 73
Dec 25, 2006 The legendary innovator and icon died early Christmas morning after being hospitalized for pneumonia in Atlanta. When it comes to his influence on American culture, the "Godfather of Soul" said it best himself: "Disco is James Brown, hip-hop is James Brown, rap is James Brown. You know what I'm saying?"
Live Musical Acts, Coming to a Sim Near You
Aug 19, 2006 Now this is a cool sign of the times: Musicians are playing "live" concerts streamed through virtual reality environments like "Second Life." Above, the avatar of Suzanne Vega plays in what was billed as "the first time a major recording artist performed live in avatar form."
Pink’s Plea to Bush
Apr 23, 2006 The pop star Pink stretches a bit from her standard fare with this protest song about Bush--which includes the lyrics, "How can you say no child left behind? We're not dumb and we're not blind What kind of father would take his own daughter's rights away? What kind of father might hate his own daughter if she were gay?".
David Muhammad: The Truthdig Interview
Apr 3, 2006 The prominent black activist and mentor for incarcerated youth in Oakland, Calif. argues that it's time to hold hip-hop artists accountable for the messages behind their music.
