The Dixie Chicks

Robin Lynn Macy left in 1993 and Laura Lynch moved on in 1995. Natalie Maines, daughter of producer and steel guitar player Lloyd Maines[?], accepted an invitation to join the group in 1996. The new lineup had a massive hit with their album Wide Open Spaces on Sony's Monument label. This was followed by another smash hit CD, Fly.

The group was involved in a dispute with their record label for two years, and their next album Home was an independent production, produced by Lloyd Maines and released in 2002. This was also a major success.

Martie (guitar, dobro and banjo) and Emily (fiddle and mandolin) are accomplished musicians and Natalie has a strong and distinctive voice. The group's mixture of bluegrass and mainstream country music appeals to a wide spectrum of record buyers.

On March 5, 2003, Natalie Maines provoked controversy in America by saying, during a concert in London, that the band was "ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas". Maines is a native of Lubbock, Texas. Following the uproar and a boycott of their music, the singer attemped to clarify matters on March 12 with the statement "I feel the President is ignoring the opinions of many in the U.S. and alienating the rest of the world."

This statement failed to quiet her critics, and on March 14 she issued an apology stating "As a concerned American citizen, I apologize to President Bush because my remark was disrespectful. I feel that whoever holds that office should be treated with the utmost respect. We are currently in Europe and witnessing a huge anti-American sentiment as a result of the perceived rush to war. While war may remain a viable option, as a mother, I just want to see every possible alternative exhausted before children and American soldiers' lives are lost. I love my country. I am a proud American."

Many fans remained angry and pressed on with a boycott of Dixie Chick music and stations that play their music, while other fans were disappointed that she apologized. The extent of the backlash has resulted in the artists being concerned about their personal safety and that of their families. Bruce Springsteen is among those who have come out in support of the right of the women to express their opinion.

On April 24, the Dixie Chicks launched a publicity campaign to explain their position. During a prime-time interview with TV personality Diane Sawyer[?], Maines said she remained proud of her original statement. The band also appeared naked (with private parts strategically covered) on the May 2, 2003 cover of Entertainment Weekly[?] magazine with slogans such as "Traitors," "Saddam's Angels," "Dixie Sluts," "Proud Americans," "Hero," "Free Speech," and "Brave" printed on their bodies. Many critics called the moves publicity stunts, since they were launched on the eve of a U.S. concert tour.

The original controversy was launched when a Guardian review of the group's London concert was picked up by U.S. media. For an article on how the Guardian is reporting the ongoing saga, see [1] (http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,943170,00).

President Bush responded to the controversy surrounding the Dixie Chicks in an interview with Tom Brokaw on April 24:

"I mean, the Dixie Chicks are free to speak their mind. They can say what they want to say. And just because — they shouldn't have their feelings hurt just because some people don't want to buy their records when they speak out. You know, freedom is a two-way street. But I have — don't really care what the Dixie Chicks said. I want to do what I think is right for the American people, and if some singers or Hollywood stars feel like speaking out, that's fine. That's the great thing about America. It stands in stark contrast to Iraq, by the way." [2] (http://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/25/international/worldspecial/25BUSH-TEXT?pagewanted=all)

At the first concert of their nation-wide tour the Dixie Chicks received a very positive reception. The concert was held in Greenville, South Carolina on May 1 and was attended by a sell-out crowd of 15,000.. The women had come prepared to face up to opposition and Natalie Maines invited those who had come to boo to do so but the crowd erupted in cheers.

Nevertheless, the band remains controversial. On May 6th, a Colorado radio station suspended two of its disc jockeys for playing music by the Dixie Chicks in violation of a ban on their music. On May 22 at the Academy of Country Music (ACM) awards ceremony in Las Vegas there were boos when the group's nomination for entertainer of the year awards was announced. The Academy made the award to Toby Keith an outspoken critic of the group.

Discography

• Thank Heaven for Dale Evans 1990.
• Home on the Radar Range 1991.
• Little Ol' Cowgirl 1992.
• Shouldn't A Told You That 1993, without Robin Lynn Macy.
• Wide Open Spaces 1998, with Natalie Maines.
• Fly 1999.
• Home 2002

Awards

2002 Awards

2002 Grammy Award: "Best Country Album" - Home

2002 Grammy Award: "Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals" - Long Time Gone

2002 Grammy Award: "Best Country Instrumental Performance" -Lil' Jack Slade

2002 Grammy Award: "Best Best Recording Package" - Home

2002 Billboard Music Award[?]: "Country Duo/Group of the Year"

2002 Country Music Association Award: "Vocal Group of the Year"

2002 CMT Flameworthy Award[?]: "Video Visionary Award"

2002 American Music Award[?]: "Favorite Country Band, Duo or Group"

2002 American Music Award[?]: "Favorite Country Album" for Home

2002 People's Choice Award[?]: "Favorite Musical Group or Band"

2001 Awards

2001 TNN/CMT[?]: "Favorite Group/Duo"

2001 AMA[?]: "Favorite Band/Duo/Group"

2001 ACM: "Entertainer of the Year"

2001 ACM: "Vocal Group of the Year"

2001 ACM: "Video of the Year" - Goodbye Earl

2000 Awards

2000 CMA: "Album of the Year" - FLY

2000 CMA: "Entertainer of the Year"

External links

• DixieChicks Official site (http://dixiechicks.launch.yahoo.com/)
• "The All Inclusive Dixie Chicks" (http://www.dixie-chicks.com) extensive site with discography, etc
• Chicks' Naked Fury (http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-12297696,00) about the Entertainment Weekly cover
• AP article on Greenville concert (http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1880142).