Dixie Chicks recall death threat after Bush remark

New York – Natalie Maines says one of the death threats she received after criticizing President Bush three years ago was “definitely scary” because the sender “had a plan.”

Maines, lead singer of the Dixie Chicks, told a London audience during a March 10, 2003, concert, “Just so you know, we’re ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas.” The comment was made as war was looming with Iraq, and Maines later apologized for the phrasing of her remark.

In an interview on CBS’ “60 Minutes” to air Sunday (6 p.m. CST), Maines says one threat she received in the summer of 2003 was different from the others.

“It was definitely scary because it seemed so – it wasn’t just somebody wanting to write a hate letter,” she says. “It was somebody who obviously thought they had a plan.”

Emily Robison, who plays banjo and guitar in the Texas trio, says: “There was one specific death threat on Natalie. (It) had a time, had a place, had a weapon. I mean, everything. …’You will be shot dead at your show in Dallas.”‘

The band flew into Dallas, “went straight from the police cars to the stage and straight from the stage back to the police cars and back to the plane,” Maines says. “So, you know, it was all surreal. But at that stage, everything was surreal.”

Country music singer’s hearing on DUI is delayed

Lexington, Ky. – A pretrial conference in the drunken driving case against John Michael Montgomery was delayed Thursday because a prosecutor said he needed more time.

Jack Miller, assistant Fayette County attorney, and Montgomery’s attorneys agreed to put off the conference until May 25. It had originally been set for last month, but Miller sought a delay, in part to review controversial postings on the arresting officer’s Web site.

Miller said he might dismiss the drunken driving case.

Montgomery didn’t appear in court.

According to a police report, the 41-year-old country singer disregarded a traffic light and smelled strongly of alcohol when he was arrested Feb. 16 after leaving the Austin City Saloon.

Montgomery also is charged with having two loaded handguns in his vehicle and carrying prescription drugs in an improper container. His attorneys have argued he has a permit for the guns and a prescription for the medicine, and Miller said he’ll dismiss those charges if that’s true.

Officer Joshua Cromer’s Web site included comments from other police officers congratulating him on the arrest as well as an altered picture of Montgomery and a fan, with Cromer’s head superimposed over the fan’s. Cromer was administratively charged and has apologized.

Chappelle says wife still mad at him for walking out on deal

New York – Dave Chappelle is still explaining to his wife why he left his Comedy Central show and walked away from a $50 million contract.

“My wife is still a little salty with me,” Chappelle joked on NBC’s “Late Night With Conan O’Brien” on Wednesday night. “She’s not mad at me, but don’t think you can walk away from $50 million and your wife is just going to be cool with it.”

In frequent TV appearances over the past few months, the comedian has repeatedly defended his sudden departure last year from the popular and lucrative “Chappelle’s Show.”

With humor and candor, Chappelle, 32, has laughed at claims that he’s “crazy,” and said he had doubts about how racial elements of his show were received.

He has since returned to performing standup and released the concert documentary, “Block Party.”

On “Late Night,” he also joked about his quick exodus to Africa, where he stayed after leaving “Chappelle’s Show.”

“When you go to Africa, especially your first time, you have this overwhelming feeling like you’re home,” he said. “I had a feeling of ‘man, this feels like home.’

“I think I felt that way because there was a McDonald’s in the airport.”

Snoop Dogg takes responsibility for brawl

London – Snoop Dogg has accepted responsibility for using “threatening words or behavior” in a brawl last month at Heathrow airport.

The 34-year-old rapper, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, appeared at Heathrow police station and “accepted a caution for a Section Four Public Order Act matter, using threatening words or behavior,” police said Thursday.

A caution means a person has accepted responsibility for the offense, and a record will be made. No further action will be taken, police said.

Snoop and five other men were arrested on charges of violent disorder and starting a brawl and spent the night in jail after trouble flared when some members of the rapper’s party were denied entry to British Airways’ first-class lounge.

Seven officers received minor injuries – mainly cuts and bruises – and one suffered a fracture to the hand.

Five others arrested in the disturbance were expected to appear at the police station later in the day.