The Chicks

The Chicks, known until 2020 as the Dixie Chicks, are an American country music band from Dallas, Texas. The group includes Natalie Maines as the lead vocalist, along with sisters Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer who add their voices and play various instruments.

Martie and Emily started the band in 1989 with two other musicians. After some changes in the group's members, they signed with a record label in 1995 and soon became very popular. Their early albums, such as Wide Open Spaces and Fly, were huge successes and won many awards.

In 2003, the band spoke out about political issues, which caused some people to dislike them for a time. But they continued to make music, took a break, and then came back together again in 2016. In 2020, they changed their name to simply The Chicks because the word "Dixie" had meanings that many people found offensive.

The Chicks have sold millions of albums and have won many important awards, including thirteen Grammy Awards. They are known for songs like "There's Your Trouble" and "Travelin' Soldier," and they remain one of the most successful groups in country music history.

History

1989–1995: Original bluegrass group

The Chicks started as the Dixie Chicks in 1989 in Dallas, Texas. The original members were Laura Lynch on bass, Robin Lynn Macy on guitar, and sisters Martie and Emily Erwin. The Erwin sisters later changed their names after getting married. They played bluegrass and country music, with Martie and Emily handling most of the instruments.

In 1990, they released their first album with help from a senator’s daughter who gave them $10,000. They performed at famous places like the Grand Ole Opry and won awards at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival.

1995–2000: Commercial success with Wide Open Spaces and Fly

When Natalie Maines joined in 1995, the band’s sound changed. They signed with a new record label and released Wide Open Spaces in 1998. This album was very popular and won several awards, including a Grammy for Best Country Album. Their next album, Fly, also did very well and was their second album to sell over 10 million copies.

2003–2005: Comments on George W. Bush and backlash

In 2003, lead singer Natalie Maines made a comment in London about not supporting the upcoming war in Iraq and mentioned that she was ashamed the president was from Texas. This caused a big backlash in the United States. Many country radio stations stopped playing their songs, and they faced negative reactions from fans. Maines later apologized for her comment.

2006–2007: Taking the Long Way and Shut Up and Sing

In 2006, the band released Taking the Long Way, which addressed the controversy from three years earlier. The album was very successful, debuting at number one on the charts and winning several Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. A documentary about their experiences during this time, titled Shut Up and Sing, was also released.

2008–2014: Hiatus, Court Yard Hounds and continued touring

After 2007, the band took a break. Two members, Martie and Emily, formed a new group called Court Yard Hounds and released albums in 2010 and 2013. The Chicks also continued to tour, joining other big names for concerts.

2016–present: MMXVI World Tour, name change and Gaslighter

In 2016, the band started a big world tour. In 2020, they changed their name from the Dixie Chicks to simply the Chicks, because the word “Dixie” had meanings related to slavery in the United States. They released a new album called Gaslighter the same year. Sadly, in 2023, founding member Laura Lynch passed away in a traffic accident.

Band members

The Chicks, also known as the Dixie Chicks until 2020, are an American country music band from Dallas, Texas. The current members are Emily Strayer, who sings and plays the banjo, Dobro, and guitars; Martie Maguire, who sings and plays the fiddle and mandolin; and Natalie Maines, who sings and plays guitars, bass guitar, and the Omnichord.

In the past, the band included Laura Lynch, who sang and played the double bass, and Robin Lynn Macy, who sang and played guitars.

Discography

Here are the studio albums by The Chicks:

• Thank Heavens for Dale Evans (1990)
• Little Ol' Cowgirl (1992)
• Shouldn't a Told You That (1993)
• Wide Open Spaces (1998)
• Fly (1999)
• Home (2002)
• Taking the Long Way (2006)
• Gaslighter (2020)

Tours

The Chicks have gone on many tours over the years. Some of their big headlining tours include the Fly Tour in 2000, the Top of the World Tour in 2003, and The Chicks Tour from 2022 to 2023.

They have also supported other artists on tour, like Clay Walker in 1998 and Tim McGraw in 1999 and 2026. In 1999, they were part of Lilith Fair, and in 2004, they performed on the Vote for Change tour. In 2023, they had a special performance series called The Chicks: Six Nights in Vegas.

Awards and nominations

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by the Chicks

The Chicks, formerly known as the Dixie Chicks, have received many awards and nominations for their music. As a successful country band, they have been recognized for their talent and contributions to the music world. Their achievements are listed in detail in the article linked above.