Dixie Chicks

▪ 2007

 In 2006, three years after Dixie Chicks lead vocalist Natalie Maines ignited a firestorm of protest by declaring onstage in London that she was ashamed that U.S. Pres. George W. Bush was from her native Texas, the country music group roared back with a world tour and the release of Taking the Long Way, their first album since the incident. Several tracks, notably “Not Ready to Make Nice,” responded defiantly to the vitriolic backlash that prompted many country music radio stations and radio networks to ban the group's music following Maines's remarks in March 2003. Confidently projecting a sound decidedly more rock than country, Taking the Long Way, which debuted in May at the top of the Billboard album chart, clearly signaled the Chicks' desire to move on to new musical possibilities and new audiences. Meanwhile, the 2006 documentary film Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing provided an intimate portrait of the group from the time of the 2003 controversy through the boycotts and death threats to the catharsis and commercial success of Taking the Long Way.

      Sisters Martie Maguire (born Martha Elenor Erwin on Oct. 12, 1969, in York, Pa.) and Emily Robison (born Emily Burns Erwin on Aug. 16, 1972, in Pittsfield, Mass.) began performing together in their teens. They first formed the Dixie Chicks in Dallas in 1989. The group originally included guitarist Robin Lynn Macy, who left in 1992, and vocalist Laura Lynch, who was replaced in 1995 by Maines (born Natalie Louise Maines on Oct. 14, 1974, in Lubbock, Texas). The original group released three albums—Thank Heavens for Dale Evans (1990), Little Ol' Cowgirl (1992), and Shouldn't a Told You That (1993). With Martie playing the fiddle and mandolin and Emily on the banjo, guitar, dobro, and bass, the Dixie Chicks were known from the start for their instrumental prowess. Following the arrival of Maines, the group signed with Monument Records and began to revamp its cowgirl image and sound, eventually emerging as sophisticated performers with a hit country single, “I Can Love You Better” (1997). The trio's debut album, Wide Open Spaces (1998), sold more than 12 million copies and was named best country album at the 1998 Grammy Awards. “There's Your Trouble” won the Grammy for best country group vocal performance.

      The Dixie Chicks' genre-spanning versatility quickly attracted fans from outside country music's mainstream. In 1999 they received Grammys for their second album, Fly (best country album), and the single “Ready to Run.” Home (2002), a return to the Chicks' acoustic roots, was named best country album at the 2002 Grammy Awards, where the singles “Long Time Gone” and “L'il Jack Slade” also received awards. Recorded during their first world tour, Top of the World Tour: Live (2003) included the group's Grammy-winning performance of Patty Griffin's “Top of the World.”

Janet Moredock

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▪ American music group

 American country music group that achieved crossover success in the pop market, in spite of controversial political statements made by its members. The group's principal members included Martie Maguire (b. Oct. 12, 1969, York, Pa., U.S.), Emily Robison (b. Aug. 16, 1972, Pittsfield, Mass., U.S.), and Natalie Maines (b. Oct. 14, 1974, Lubbock, Texas, U.S.). Early members of the group included guitarist Robin Lynn Macy, who left in 1992, and vocalist Laura Lynch, who was replaced in 1995 by Maines.

      The group released three albums with its original lineup—Thank Heavens for Dale Evans (1990), Little Ol' Cowgirl (1992), and Shouldn't a Told You That (1993). With Martie playing the fiddle and mandolin and her sister Emily on the banjo, guitar, dobro, and bass, the Dixie Chicks became known for their instrumental prowess. Following the arrival of Natalie, the group signed with Monument Records and began to revamp its cowgirl image and sound, eventually emerging as sophisticated performers with a hit country single, "I Can Love You Better" (1997). The trio's debut album, Wide Open Spaces (1998), sold more than 12 million copies and was named best country album at the 1998 Grammy Awards. "There's Your Trouble" won the Grammy for best country group vocal performance.

      The Dixie Chicks' genre-spanning versatility quickly attracted fans from outside country music. In 1999 they received Grammys for their second album, Fly (best country album), and the single "Ready to Run." Home (2002), a return to the Chicks' acoustic roots, was named best country album at the 2002 Grammy Awards, where the singles "Long Time Gone" and "L'il Jack Slade" also received awards.

      In March 2003, Maines ignited a firestorm by declaring onstage in London that she was ashamed that U.S. Pres. George W. Bush was from her native Texas. Many country music radio stations and radio networks banned the group's music, and Maines received death threats. The Dixie Chicks maintained a relatively low profile until 2006, when they returned with a world tour and the release of Taking the Long Way. Several tracks, notably "Not Ready to Make Nice," responded defiantly to the group's detractors, and the album's sound, decidedly more rock than country, clearly signaled the Chicks' desire to move on to new musical possibilities and new audiences. The documentary film Dixie Chicks: Shut Up & Sing, released later that year, provided an intimate portrait of the group in the aftermath of Maines's controversial remarks. At the 2007 Grammy Awards, the Dixie Chicks became the first all-female group to win the top three honours: album of the year, song of the year, and record of the year.

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