Taking the Long Way by Dixie Chicks (CD, May-2006, Open Wide Records)

I have always been a fan of the Dixie Chicks and will admit that I simply could not fathom all the flap made over Natalie Main's use of free speech just because she expressed what was, at the time, an unpopular sentiment. Because we get two different free internet radio services from our IP, buying CDs has moved way down on my list of must haves for quite some time; however, when I heard that the Chicks had released a new CD and that the country stations around the nation were still blacklisting them, I had to buy it. Ok, call me a rebel, too!

I am soooo glad that I did! Not only is it a fabulous listening experience whether one is a fan of country music or not, it is even more importantly an audio testament to the importance of standing up for one's beliefs and suffering the consequences for having done so. Those beliefs take a variety of forms in the songs, but the overriding theme is that we should never regret standing up for what we believe in.

If you haven't bought it yet, let me recommend that you do. If you have ever expressed an "unpopular" opinion, this CD is definitely for you.