DIXIE CHICKS - DIXIE CHICK SAYS BUSH REMARK WAS A .JOKE.

DIXIE CHICKS frontwoman NATALIE MAINES has spoken out about her attack on American President GEORGE W BUSH - insisting it was just a joke.

Maines told a London concert audience last month (MAR03) the group was ashamed that Bush is from their home state of Texas.

But last week (ends28MAR03), Maines told a New Zealand reporter, "It was a joke and it wasn't planned. And it was really funny at the time. It got lots of cheers, and that's what it was meant for. You see the trouble that you can get into if you speak religion or politics. It gets people very upset."

Maines issued a written apology after making the remark, but stations across America continued to ban the Chicks' music on radio stations.

In addition, the Dixie Chicks' HOME album saw a more than 40 per cent decline in sales after Maines's remark.