Kellie
10-08-2006, 03:47 AM
Dixie Chicks pay homage to the Irwins
Sunday Oct 8 10:08 AEST
The Dixie Chicks have paid homage to the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin and dedicated one of their songs to his children Bindi and Bob.
The Texan country music trio opened their Australian tour in Brisbane this weekend and made a pilgrimage to the Irwin family's Australia Zoo at Beerwah on the Sunshine Coast.
Lead singer Natalie Maines said the band had visited the popular wildlife park on their last tour in 2003 when "Steve was there".
Irwin, 44, died on September 4 when a stingray barb pierced his chest while he was diving on the Great Barrier Reef.
His death prompted an outpouring of grief worldwide, particularly in America where he was a household name from the Crocodile Hunter wildlife TV series.
Maines said visiting Irwin's zoo again had been a "wonderful experience" for the group and she dedicated their gentle song Lullabye to Bindi, 8, and two-year-old Bob.
"We will send this out to Bindi tonight, wherever she is, and to her little brother," Maines said on Saturday night at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
The band has courted controversy since 2003 when during a London show Maines fired a broadside at US President George W Bush's involvement in the Middle East, saying the band was ashamed he was also from Texas.
The Chicks and their nine-piece backing band took to the stage to an ironic taped version of Hail to the Chief.
Their latest single Not Ready To Make Nice - the group's reflection on their experiences in the aftermath of the Bush controversy- drew the strongest sustained ovation of the two-hour, 22-song performance.
Maines also dedicated the song White Trash to Australian actor and director Mel Gibson, who made headlines around the world in July when he launched into an anti-Semitic rant after being pulled over for drunk driving in the US.
"You guys have Mel Gibson and the States have us," Maines said.
The Dixie Chicks' Accidents and Accusations tour continues at Sydney's Acer Arena on Monday night before heading to Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne.
AAP
Sunday Oct 8 10:08 AEST
The Dixie Chicks have paid homage to the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin and dedicated one of their songs to his children Bindi and Bob.
The Texan country music trio opened their Australian tour in Brisbane this weekend and made a pilgrimage to the Irwin family's Australia Zoo at Beerwah on the Sunshine Coast.
Lead singer Natalie Maines said the band had visited the popular wildlife park on their last tour in 2003 when "Steve was there".
Irwin, 44, died on September 4 when a stingray barb pierced his chest while he was diving on the Great Barrier Reef.
His death prompted an outpouring of grief worldwide, particularly in America where he was a household name from the Crocodile Hunter wildlife TV series.
Maines said visiting Irwin's zoo again had been a "wonderful experience" for the group and she dedicated their gentle song Lullabye to Bindi, 8, and two-year-old Bob.
"We will send this out to Bindi tonight, wherever she is, and to her little brother," Maines said on Saturday night at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
The band has courted controversy since 2003 when during a London show Maines fired a broadside at US President George W Bush's involvement in the Middle East, saying the band was ashamed he was also from Texas.
The Chicks and their nine-piece backing band took to the stage to an ironic taped version of Hail to the Chief.
Their latest single Not Ready To Make Nice - the group's reflection on their experiences in the aftermath of the Bush controversy- drew the strongest sustained ovation of the two-hour, 22-song performance.
Maines also dedicated the song White Trash to Australian actor and director Mel Gibson, who made headlines around the world in July when he launched into an anti-Semitic rant after being pulled over for drunk driving in the US.
"You guys have Mel Gibson and the States have us," Maines said.
The Dixie Chicks' Accidents and Accusations tour continues at Sydney's Acer Arena on Monday night before heading to Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne.
AAP