Townswoman Crystal checks in with her views on the latest in Rock Docs.

Shut Up and Sing, which chronicles the Dixie Chicks’ meteoric fall and resurrection, is well worth a watch if you missed it last year. Surprisingly even handed (except for a few scenes), Natalie Maines’ statement about being embarrassed that the President is from Texas sparked, as most of you know, a firestorm from the country establishment that was nearly unprecedented. It’s also an interesting peak into what happens to a band, in particular an all female band that were at the peak at their success, having to battle their way back because of a one-off semi-political statement. You have to at least watch for the scenes of Rick Rubin who has transformed himself into a crazy Buddha-looking producer. In the end though, even with the president’s dropping ratings and the recent Chicks’ CMA nominations, has the country really changed?

VH1 Rock Docs presents Bling’d – Blood Diamonds & Hip Hop is a fascinating look at the impact of diamonds in hip-hop and what is happening in the countries (in this case Sierra Leone) that produce them. Rappers Raekwon (Wu Tang Clan), Tego Calderon, and Paul Wall (the guy who brought us all those hideous grills) all travel to see what the diamond industry is really like. I don’t know if all for show but the plight of those living in Sierra Leone (albeit a small part) is highlighted in a realistic and sometimes unbearable light. I’ll be interested to see if the Hip-Hop community takes their lead or if it’s “We are the World” all over again. You know, there are a couple of benefit shows, a couple of checks drafted, and then nothing happens. I don’t know if it’s still playing but it’s listed on the VH1 site.