Man, who would have thought anybody could have stolen the 49th Annual Grammys from the brilliance that is The Police, who opened the show with a terrific but subdued rendition of "Roxanne?"

But, the Dixie Chicks found a way, and good for them.

I didn't love their album, "Taking the Long Way," as much as the Grammy voters did, obviously. I love the Dixie Chicks when they're doing Texas music, like "Long Time Gone." However, the vote for the Dixie Chicks by the Grammy committee is as much as statement on the importance of their recording as it is about the quality.

Make no mistake: This was a political statement on behalf of the entire music industry, and I loved it. Those women have more cahones than anybody in entertainment, and while their brass balls were developed by accident, they were strengthened through real persecution.

Like any brilliant artist, Emily, Martie and Natalie (with the help of Dan Wilson) turned their pain, the death threats, probably a ton of depression into music. When the trio won the Grammy for best country album, Natalie chuckled.

Country? They abandoned the Dixie Chicks, and no way should that vapid industry, that lot of followers, that group of "yes men" be allowed to sniff the air these Grammy winners breathe. Natalie felt the same way, I'd imagine, as she invoked The Simpsons when accepting the country honor.

The Dixie Chicks are masterful musicians, tremendous country-folk-bluegrass artists and politically active heavyweights -- arguably the most important music group of the past decade.

Good for them.

Those women had the chance to raise their middle fingers at country radio, the president, the idiots who told them to "shut up and sing," everybody. But, they didn't, proving that channeling anger and frustration into something that's creative truly is the best outlet for such feelings.

Everybody, everywhere should take note of their example.