After suffering a severe backlash over disparaging remarks Dixie Chicks' Natalie Maines made about U.S. President George W. Bush, the group now has a big star in their corner -- and it's none other than Bruce Springsteen.

Springsteen released a statement via brucespringsteen.net in support of the country trio, Launch.com reports.

"The Dixie Chicks have taken a big hit lately for exercising their basic right to express themselves. To me, they're terrific American artists expressing American values by using their American right to free speech. For them to be banished wholesale from radio stations, and even entire radio networks, for speaking out is un-American," Springsteen posted.

"The pressure coming from the government and big business to enforce conformity of thought concerning the war and politics goes against everything that this country is about - namely freedom."

"Right now, we are supposedly fighting to create free speech in Iraq, at the same time that some are trying to intimidate and punish people for using that same freedom here at home. I don't know what happens next, but I do want to add my voice to those who think that the Dixie Chicks are getting a raw deal, and an un-American one to boot. I send them my support."

Maines reportedly told a London audience last month, in reference to Bush's push for military action against Iraq, "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas."

This isn't the first time the Boss has spoken out against the war. Springsteen opened his tour by playing Edwin Starr's hit "War" and made his concerns about the war known.

After his short visit in Canada, Springsteen will start a European tour May 6.