When I first bought the 1998 Dixie Chicks album Wide Open Spaces, I knew the group had copped their name from the Little Feat song Dixie Chicken. What I did not realize is that the group had been around since 1989 as a bluegrass quartet, with the sisters Martie and Emily Erwin and two others. When those other two left – one quit, the other apparently forced out – Natalie Maines became the lead singer. The sisters expanded their instrumental repertoire, and their sound became a more contemporary country.
The 1999 album Fly was even more successful. It “debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 charts, selling over 10 million copies and making the Dixie Chicks the only country band and the only female band of any genre to hold the distinction of having two back-to-back RIAA certified diamond albums.” It was not without controversy, though.
“Sin Wagon [LISTEN], from which the term ‘mattress dancing ‘takes on a new twist, and ‘Goodbye Earl’, a song that uses black comedy in telling the story of the unabashed murderer of an abusive husband.” WATCH the video featuring NYPD Blue’s Dennis Franz as Earl.
After a label dispute and some family time, the trio released Home, “independently produced by Lloyd Maines [Natalie’s father] and the Chicks” August 27, 2002. They were performing at a concert in London on March 10, 2003, during what turned out to be the inevitable rollup to the Iraq war, when “Natalie Maines, who along with Robison and Maguire was also a native of Texas, said: ‘Just so you know, we’re on the good side with y’all. We do not want this war, this violence, and we’re ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas.'” This caused an almost immediate and massive backlash against the Chicks in the US, and subsequent apologies and clarifications did nothing to tamp it down. That very week, in a buycott action, I bought Home, which I would have likely purchased anyway. I appreciated how the sisters stood by Natalie. (Whereas Simon Cowell bashed her on American Idol, and he was hardly the only one.)
It wasn’t until 2006 before they put out Taking the Long Way, featuring the pointed single Not Ready to Make Nice [LISTEN]. The album went to #1, but the singles were ignored by country radio. I suspect lots of non-country music fans bought it in support of the Dixie Chicks.
Though the group has performed periodically, the sisters have put out two albums as Court Yard Hounds, an eponymous album in May 2010 (which I have), and Amelita in July 2013. Maines released a solo album, Mother in May 2013, which I purchased; it’s much more pop than country.
The Dixie Chicks were touring in Canada in the fall of 2013. Whether they will record together something more than a couple of tracks, only time will tell.
Toby Keith went after Natalie Maines pretty hard, putting up pictures of her with bin Laden at his concerts. When a magazine called him out on it, he got really offended and used the “Freedom of Speech” excuse, which always cracks me up; every day on the internet, someone whines that their opinion is free speech, as though free speech also shields you from being disagreed with in any way. (Unfortunately, the magazine didn’t hit him with the mindbreaker that Maines was also exercising HER free speech; I guess only his free speech is sacrosanct and above reproach.)
I like a little Dixie Chicks myself! Great driving music.
Great group to feature. I never understood why they were treated so badly. I couldn’t believe it when other performers went after them for the off the cuff remarks. Carver, ABCW Team
Like the music..hate the politics.
I like the Dixie Chicks, especially the album “Taking The Long Way Home”.
I don’t know much about their songs, but the ones I know I really like.
I love the Dixie Chicks and I’m not usually into “Country.” But I laughed out loud the first time I heard “Not Ready to Make Nice.”
Leslie
abcw team
Such a fun group to listen to.
I think I have heard few of their songs.
God bless the Dixie Chicks. For a while there they reassured the rest of the world that the USA hadn’t lost its mind.
I love the Dixie Chicks. Didn’t know there was a video to “Goodbye Earl” a song that always cracks me up. People love singing along with this song in concert. As a fan of Natalie Maynes voice, I’m sorry to say I don’t care for her solo concert music (saw her at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival in SF) and hope she performs as a Chick again. Thanks for this post, Roger.
Yes, a tribute to the great music!
I’m learning about some groups I wasn’t familiar with. This is another one, their music didn’t get here yet. Thank you! 🙂
After 9-11, almost everyone here in the U.S. was VERY sensitive to being patriotic. They just hit the wrong nerve of the people. They are a talented group but just spoke their free speech at a sensitive time.
Ann
Strange, where is the freedom of speech ? When in the EU a famous singer sings a critical song about politics, he rather has a lot of success ! Especially when it is the truth !
Visiting your blog is such an education in music! Thank you!
They are better as trio rather than the side projects. Good on Natalie for speaking “truth to power”.
I too like their sound, but haven’t listened to them lately. I’ll have to give them another try. Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my post today. – Margy
Don’t know where I’ve been. Listened to a Dixie Chicks song for the first time through your link. Love the emotions on that Not Ready to Make Nice song.
I do not know much about the Dixie Chicks but your post gave some interesting insights about this all girls band. The sisters seem to be doing good.