There was a time when insulting George Bush in the US was deemed unpatriotic, and the Dixie Chicks paid the price for an anti-war remark when their records were rubbished and their music was banned by radio stations.

Radio stations including Heart and Galaxy were sold for £170m (€253m) today in a deal involving former ITV chief executive Charles Allen.

TWO U2 songs are among the front-runners to be to be used as the campaign music for Hillary Clinton’s upcoming presidential battle, she has announced.

Police in Los Angeles are investigating reports that James Blunt ran over someone’s foot as he was leaving a party, then drove off.

COUNTRY music outcasts The Dixie Chicks, who jeopardised their career by criticising US President George W Bush, won all five Grammy Awards for which they were nominated, including the coveted album of the year.

James Blunt’s You’re Beautiful and Corrine Baily Rae’s Put Your Records On have today been nominated for a Best Song Grammy.

New Dixie Chicks documentary Shut Up and Sing is set to send shockwaves through the American political arena as its planned release date is just before the November US elections.

Country music stars the Dixie Chicks have cancelled 14 concert dates in the US and replaced them with shows in Canada as a result of poor ticket sales.

Legendary country music star Willie Nelson insists the Dixie Chicks "got a raw deal" from a disapproving public following their criticism of US President George W Bush.

The Dixie Chicks will broadcast their comeback concert in London on Thursday live on their website - and they promise not to mention US President George W Bush.

Country trio the Dixie Chicks are desperate to be asked to perform for US troops in Iraq in an effort to prove once and for all they're not unpatriotic.

The members of country trio the Dixie Chicks faced their most terrifying show in Dallas, Texas in 2003 - after an extremist threatened to kill singer Natalie Maines onstage.

Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, the Dixie Chicks, Sting and newly single Sheryl Crow paid tribute to James Taylor on Monday night in Los Angeles as the singer/songwriter was honoured with the MusiCares Person of The Year crown.

An Ulster Scots prize-winning song has earned rave reviews from some of the most influential figures in country music.

The Dixie Chicks are planning to turn their 2005 tour into a travelling creche because there will be seven kids under the age of four travelling with the new mums.

Bruce Springsteen is joining a group of musicians campaigning against George W Bush in the US election race.

IN a series of concerts in nine swing states, more than 20 musical acts - including Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam and the Dixie Chicks - will perform fund-raising concerts one month before the November 2 election in an effort to unseat President Bush.

Elton John has hit out at the “bullying tactics” used by the US government to stop artistic dissent.

Dixie Chicks singer Natalie Maines, whose criticism of President George Bush last year led to death threats and boycotts of the group’s music, has reaffirmed her anti-war stance in a TV interview.

Bootylicious chart star Beyonce Knowles was named the biggest star of the year at a glitzy awards bash last night.

POLITICIANS take advice from spin-doctors, pollsters, psychologists, football team managers and business leaders.

The two most successful artists at the Academy of Country Music Awards continued their winning ways, with Alan Jackson capturing album of the year for Drive, as well as a video honour, and Brooks & Dunn being named top vocal duo.

COUNTRY music band the Dixie Chicks, who sparked controversy when they denounced President George W Bush, yesterday hit back at critics through a nude appearance on the cover of a US magazine.

A member of Texas-based band Dixie Chicks said she received death threats after the group spoke out against the Iraq war and US President George Bush.

PERHAPS the most surprising moment during Sunday’s drab Oscar ceremony was not Michael Moore’s dramatic denunciation of President Bush and his ‘fictitious’ war on Iraq, but the audience’s reaction to it.

Eight artists received five Grammy nominations each today, with Bruce Springsteen, Norah Jones, Avril Lavigne and Eminem dominating the major categories, including record, song and album of the year.

Alan Jackson took home his second entertainer of the year award and four other honours at the annual Country Music Association Awards.

Sheryl Crow is among the stars paying tribute to Willie Nelson in a TV special.

Sting will share the same stage with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir at the opening ceremony of the Salt Lake City Olympics.