Dixie Chicks Biography

Dixie Chicks

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The Dixie Chicks rose from relative obscurity in 1998 to become one of the most popular acts in contemporary country music, as well as the highest-selling female group of all time. The band's genesis dates back nearly a decade earlier to 1989, when fiddler Martie Seidel and her banjo-playing sister Emily Erwin formed the group in Dallas, Texas. Bassist Laura Lynch and guitarist Robin Lynn Macy also populated the original lineup. After getting their start on local street corners, the female foursome graduated to clubs and received an enormous boost when Seidel earned third place honors at the National Fiddle Championships. Originally, the Dixie Chicks (whose name was inspired by the Little Feat song "Dixie Chicken") promoted a classic cowgirl image, complete with a sound inspired by traditional country, folk, and bluegrass; they even titled their 1990 indie-label debut Thank Heavens for Dale Evans. As the decade progressed, however, the group's image and sound became more contemporary, often bridging the gap between country and pop music.

The move toward a more contemporary sound began with 1992's Little Ol' Cowgirl, a transitional record that, in part, resulted in the exit of Macy. With Lynch now assuming lead vocal duties, the remaining trio resurfaced in 1993 with Shouldn't a Told You That. Shortly after the Chicks signed with Sony's newly revived Monument imprint in 1995, Lynch left the group as well -- according to a December 10, 1998, feature in The Dallas Observer, both she and Macy were likely victims of Seidel and Erwin's desire to foster a more youthful image. Soon named as Lynch's replacement was a 21-year-old lead vocalist named Natalie Maines, the daughter of steel guitar legend Lloyd Maines.

The lineup switch brought with it a new contemporary wardrobe and an equally modernized country sound; still, few predicted the enormous success of the Dixie Chicks' 1998 major-label debut, Wide Open Spaces. After the album's advance first single, "I Can Love You Better," became the group's first Top Ten hit, both "There's Your Trouble" and the title track went on to top the country charts. Within a year of Wide Open Spaces' release, the record had gone quadruple platinum and the Dixie Chicks had become genuine superstars. Not only did they take home Best Vocal Group honors and the Horizon Award from the Country Music Association, but they were also named Favorite New Country Artist at the American Music Awards. Wide Open Spaces additionally earned a Grammy for Best Country Album on its way to becoming the best-selling group album in country music history.

Fly followed in 1999, immediately returning the Dixie Chicks to the upper reaches of the country charts with the lead single "Ready to Run." Another smash hit was "Goodbye Earl," which spun the tale of an abusive husband who dies at the hands of his vengeful wife. Although the lyrics owed a good deal to black comedy, "Goodbye Earl" (as well as another song, "Sin Wagon," whose lyrics included the phrase "do a little mattress dancing") proved that the Dixie Chicks didn't necessarily adhere to the conservative ideals of their country fan base. Such outspoken attitude initially contributed to their success, but Maines' future comments about President George W. Bush would later plunge the band into controversy.

The Dixie Chicks joined Shakira, Mary J. Blige, Cher, and Celine Dion for the 2002 VH1 Divas Show in Las Vegas. Three months later, they were back in the game with release of their sixth album, which eschewed the polished sound of the girls' recent work for a rootsy, bluegrass-based style. Home marked the girls' first release on their own Sony imprint, Open Wide Records; it also gave them their first two Top Ten hits on the pop charts with "Long Time Gone" and "Landslide" (a stirring cover of the Fleetwood Mac original). Top of the World Tour: Live and its accompanying DVD arrived in 2003, capturing the band's strength as a live act. However, the very same tour also marked a turning point for the band. On opening night in London, Natalie Maines spoke out against the 2003 Iraqi War, stating the group was ashamed to share their home state with President Bush. Many American fans lashed out in response, and the Dixie Chicks watched as country radio boycotted their latest album. Released in 2006, Taking the Long Way dealt with this backlash (which also included death threats, group protests, and a chilly reception at the 2003 ACM Awards) with songs like "Not Ready to Make Nice," which won three Grammy Awards and help reestablish the group as a commercial force. The album itself netted an additional two Grammys. ~ Jason Ankeny & Andrew Leahey, All Music Guide