Emily Carter
The Dixie Chicks, now known as The Chicks, are an American country music band from Dallas, Texas. The band consists of Natalie Maines, Martie Maguire, and Emily Strayer. In 2003, the Dixie Chicks publicly criticized the US President, George W. Bush, and the Iraq War, triggering a backlash and damaging sales of their album Home. The group took a hiatus from recording in 2008, and in 2016, they reunited for a world tour. In 2020, they changed their name to The Chicks, removing Dixie due to its negative connotations, and released their first album in 14 years, Gaslighter. So, what are the Dixie Chicks, now The Chicks, up to these days?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Band Members | Natalie Maines, Martie Maguire, Emily Strayer |
| Former Name | Dixie Chicks |
| New Name | The Chicks |
| Genre | Country Music |
| Awards | 13 Grammys, 10 Country Music Association Awards, 8 Academy of Country Music Awards |
| Albums | Wide Open Spaces, Fly, Taking the Long Way, Gaslighter |
| Songs | Daddy Lessons, Soon You'll Get Better, I Can Love You Better, There's Your Trouble, Not Ready to Make Nice, March March |
| Documentaries | Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing |
| Manager | Ian Montone and Rick Yorn at Monotone/LBI Entertainment |
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What You'll Learn
The Dixie Chicks changed their name to The Chicks in 2020
The Dixie Chicks, an American country music band from Dallas, Texas, changed their name to The Chicks in 2020. The group was formed in 1989 by Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer (both née Erwin), alongside Laura Lynch and Robin Lynn Macy. They performed bluegrass and country music, touring small venues and independently releasing three albums before being signed by Monument Records Nashville in 1995. Natalie Maines replaced Lynch that year, and the group released their first album with Monument, Wide Open Spaces, in 1998.
In 2003, shortly before the invasion of Iraq, Maines publicly criticised then-US President George W. Bush, stating that she was “ashamed” that Bush was also from Texas. This comment caused a backlash, with many country radio stations banning the group's music and the band receiving death threats. The Dixie Chicks maintained a low profile until 2006, when they returned with a world tour and the release of their album Taking the Long Way. Several tracks on the album, notably "Not Ready to Make Nice," responded defiantly to the group's detractors.
In 2020, the Dixie Chicks removed "Dixie" from their name due to its negative connotations and associations with the Confederate states and slavery. The change came amidst a growing national discussion of racism in the United States and followed a similar decision by the country group Lady Antebellum, who changed their name to Lady A. The band stated that they had wanted to change their name for years and were inspired to do so when they saw the Confederate flag referred to as "the Dixie Swastika" on social media.
The Chicks released their first album in 14 years, Gaslighter, in 2020, marking their comeback. The album centred on failed relationships, including the breakup of Maines's marriage. The Chicks have received numerous accolades, including 13 Grammy Awards, ten Country Music Association Awards, and eight Academy of Country Music Awards. They have sold over 33 million albums in the United States, becoming the best-selling all-woman band and best-selling country group since Nielsen SoundScan began recording sales in 1991.
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The Dixie Chicks reunited in 2016 after an 8-year hiatus
The Dixie Chicks were formed in 1989 by sisters Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer (both née Erwin) alongside Laura Lynch and Robin Lynn Macy. They performed bluegrass and country music, busking and touring small venues for six years. In 1992, Lynch replaced Macy, and in 1995, Natalie Maines replaced Lynch. The Dixie Chicks signed with Monument Records Nashville in 1995 and released their first album with the label, Wide Open Spaces, in 1998, followed by Fly in 1999. Both albums were certified diamond.
In March 2003, shortly before the invasion of Iraq, Maines publicly criticised US President George W. Bush, stating that she was ashamed that he was from her native Texas. The comments caused a backlash, with many country radio stations banning the group's music, and death threats being sent to Maines. The Dixie Chicks maintained a relatively low profile until 2006, when they returned with a world tour and the release of their album Taking the Long Way. Several tracks on the album, notably "Not Ready to Make Nice", responded defiantly to the group's detractors.
In 2016, the Dixie Chicks performed alongside Beyoncé on her song "Daddy Lessons" at the 50th anniversary of the Country Music Association Awards. They also collaborated with Taylor Swift on her song "Soon You'll Get Better" from her 2019 album Lover. In 2020, the Dixie Chicks removed "Dixie" from their name due to its negative connotations, becoming simply "The Chicks". They released their first album in 14 years, Gaslighter, in 2020, with its title track serving as the comeback single.
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The Dixie Chicks' 2003 criticism of George W. Bush
The Dixie Chicks, an American country music band from Dallas, Texas, comprising Natalie Maines, Martie Maguire, and Emily Strayer, publicly criticised then US President George W. Bush in 2003, triggering a backlash.
On 10 March 2003, nine days before the US-led invasion of Iraq, the Dixie Chicks performed at the Shepherd's Bush Empire theatre in London, England. During the concert, Maines, the lead singer, stated that she was "ashamed" that she shared the same home state of Texas as Bush. The comment sparked controversy, particularly among conservative country music fans and radio stations, many of whom strongly supported the Bush administration and the impending war.
In the aftermath of Maines' remarks, the Dixie Chicks faced a swift and severe backlash. They were dubbed "traitors" and "Saddam's angels", and their music was blacklisted by numerous country radio stations, including all 42 country stations operated by Cumulus Media. Local radio stations organised CD-burning protests, and US conglomerates banned them from the airwaves, severely damaging their career and album sales. The Dixie Chicks also received death threats, and the drinks manufacturer Lipton cancelled its promotional contract with the band.
In response to the backlash, on 12 March, two days after her initial statement, Maines issued a disclaimer, clarifying her support for US troops while expressing her concerns about the potential loss of innocent lives in the Iraq War and her frustration with President Bush's handling of international relations. Despite this, the controversy persisted, and Maines issued an apology on 14 March, stating, "As a concerned American citizen, I apologise to President Bush because my remark was disrespectful."
The Dixie Chicks' criticism of Bush had a lasting impact on their career and the country music industry. Their subsequent album releases and concert ticket sales were affected, and they faced reduced airplay and boycotts from some country music fans. The controversy also sparked discussions about the intersection of politics and entertainment, with some questioning the role of the political right in orchestrating the backlash. Despite the challenges, the Dixie Chicks persevered and continued to create and perform music, eventually dropping "Dixie" from their name in 2020 due to its negative connotations.
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The Dixie Chicks' documentary film 'Shut Up & Sing'
The Dixie Chicks: Shut Up & Sing is a documentary film that follows the Dixie Chicks, a Texas-based country music trio, over three years of intense public scrutiny, fan backlash, physical threats, and pressure from corporate and conservative political elements in the United States. The film was released in 2006, three years after the group received widespread criticism for lead singer Natalie Maines' statement during a London concert that she was ashamed that then-US President George W. Bush was from her native Texas. The documentary provides an intimate portrait of the group in the aftermath of this controversy, showing their reactions to open hostility and exploring the intertwining of media, politics, and celebrities.
The Dixie Chicks: Shut Up & Sing premiered at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival and was produced and directed by Barbara Kopple and Cecilia Peck. The title of the film was inspired by conservative commentator Laura Ingraham's book "Shut Up & Sing: How Elites from Hollywood, Politics, and the UN Are Subverting America". The film received positive reviews from major American publications and explored the day-to-day lives of the band members, showing them with their families, at home, and in the recording studio. It also depicted the group's superstar status before the incident and their success with albums like "'Home" and singles like "Travelin' Soldier".
The documentary highlighted the band's struggle with whether to “shut up and sing”, apologize, or stand by their convictions. The Dixie Chicks received death threats and were dubbed “Saddam’s angels”, with local radio stations organizing CD-burning protests and US conglomerates banning them from the airwaves. The song “Not Ready to Make Nice” from their 2006 album "Taking the Long Way" referenced the death threats and the group's defiant response to their detractors. The album marked a shift towards a more rock sound, signalling the Dixie Chicks' desire to explore new musical possibilities and audiences.
Shut Up & Sing received positive reviews from major publications and was well-received by audiences, with some calling it one of the best rock documentaries. The film provided an insightful look at free speech and the consequences of speaking out against popular opinion. It also offered a broader exploration of the complex interplay between media, politics, and celebrity culture. The Dixie Chicks' story, as captured in the documentary, serves as a cautionary tale of the challenges and backlash that artists may face when expressing political views.
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The Dixie Chicks' 2020 album 'Gaslighter'
The Dixie Chicks, now known as The Chicks, released their eighth studio album, Gaslighter, on July 17, 2020. It was their first album in 14 years, with the previous one being released in 2006. The album was produced by Jack Antonoff and the band, and it received critical acclaim.
The lead single, Gaslighter, was released on March 4, 2020, along with a music video directed by Seanne Farmer. The song deals with lead singer Natalie Maines' divorce from her ex-husband, Adrian Pasdar. It received a positive response from critics and peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The album's other singles include "Julianna Calm Down", released on May 1, 2020, and "March March", released on June 25, 2020, along with a music video. "Sleep at Night" was the fourth single from the album, released on July 17, 2020, with an accompanying music video.
The album Gaslighter received positive reviews from critics, who praised the songwriting, the management of tone, and the blend of pop and country music influences. The album debuted at number 3 on the US Billboard 200 and became the band's fifth top-5 album.
The Dixie Chicks also hinted at a big tour coming up, although no further details were revealed at the time.
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Frequently asked questions
The Dixie Chicks, now known as The Chicks, released their first album in 14 years, Gaslighter, in 2020. The name change was due to the negative connotations associated with the word "Dixie".
The band consists of Natalie Maines (lead vocals, guitar, bass guitar) and sisters Martie Maguire (vocals, fiddle, mandolin, guitar) and Emily Strayer (vocals, guitar, banjo, Dobro).
Some of the Dixie Chicks' most popular songs include "There's Your Trouble", "Wide Open Spaces", "You Were Mine", "Cowboy Take Me Away", "Without You", and "Travelin' Soldier".
