Angry Texans have called for a Dixie Chicks boycott after the band's singer said she was ashamed President Bush is from the US state.
Natalie Maines told a London audience earlier this week, "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas."
The comment prompted a flood of angry phone calls to Nashville radio station WKDF-FM on Thursday, some calling for a boycott of the Texan band's music.
The group released a statement on Thursday to say they had found anti-American sentiment "astounding" since starting their overseas tour several weeks ago.
"While we support our troops, there is nothing more frightening than the notion of going to war with Iraq and the prospect of all the innocent lives that will be lost," the statement said.
Frustration
In a separate statement, Maines said: "I feel the president is ignoring the opinion of many in the US and alienating the rest of the world.
"My comments were made in frustration, and one of the privileges of being an American is you are free to voice your own point of view."
The Dixie Chicks will kick off a tour of the US in support of their multi-platinum album Home on 1 May.
The group's hits include Wide Open Spaces, Ready to Run and Landslide.
^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©