The Dixie Chicks: Where Have They Been and Where Are They Going?

The Dixie Chicks gained popularity in 1998. This recognition led to becoming an extremely popular act in contemporary country music. Established in Dallas by 1989, Martie Seidel, a fiddler, and Emily Erwin, his sister who also plays banjo, were the founders. This group started on street corners and then worked their way playing in clubs. The members that were originally in the group were: Martie Siedel, Emily Erwin, Laura Lynch, bassist and guitarist Laura Lynn Macy. Seidel earned the third place of the National Fiddle Competition. This helped the group considerably. How did the band come up with the name? Well they were motivated by the Little Feat Song, a country group, called Dixie Chickens.

The original sound of the group was a combination of traditional country, folk and bluegrass. To illustrate this point, the title of their 1990 album was Thank Heavens for Dale Evans. After making this album, the sound gradually evolved to the contemporary sound that we know and love This change started when Macy left the group and Lynch became the lead singer. Lynch left the group on December 10, 1998. After the aftermath, Natalie Maines assumed the role of lead singer. She is the daughter of the legendary steel guitarist, Lloyd Maines, Following the inclusion of the new lead singer; a more contemporary wardrobe was in order. The sound also changed to a more modernized country sound.

The 1998 single Wide Open Spaces became a great success. The album’s first single “I Can Love You Better” followed and made platinum four times over. This catapulted the chicks into superstardom. Those who listen to soft rock will find the sound of the Chicks appealing.. I particularly like the song “Landslide” that was originally done by Stevie Nicks but the Chicks retooled it. I personally think it is a better version. In 1999 Fly, the album was recorded and the Chicks appeared on the top of the country charts once again. This was due to the single “Ready to Run”. Goodbye Earl, the single was also released. Also accompanying it was Dennis Franz in the video.

This song was a musical parody about abuse. This release assured the Chicks of musical greatness. The crossover appeal of their music was probably the reason why they were included in the VH1 Divas show in Los Vegas. Those attending included such names as Shakira, Mary J. Blige, Cher and Celine Dion. After their appearance they recorded their sixth album “Home”. This was on their own label “Open Wide Records” The fate of the Dixie Chicks took a bad turn when Natalie stated ill words about the president in London 2003. She said “just so you know, we are ashamed the President of the U. S. is from Texas. This started a boycott of the Chicks records in the conservative county music arena. Their CD’s that reached No. one on the charts declined in sales as well as radio play.

Fans crushed their records with their feet like grapes. The newest album “taking the Long way” does not bend at all to the controversy. Its title song is “Wouldn’t kiss all the ass that they told me to”. Because of the boycotts, an organization was formed called the Music Row Democrats. Bob Titley, a well known talent manager to such names as Brooks and Dunn as well as Kathy Matea. He felt the need to form this organization in order to “set up a defense” that did not exist. !3,000 members are in the group at the present time.

The Chicks don’t feel like they are part of the county scene anymore. Instead they claim to be part of the Rock and Roll Industry. They have a proven track record in sales despite the controversy. Six million copies of the “Home” album have been sold. Also their tour grossed a large amount of money. Also with sales down on the Country Music Scene, the Chicks are needed. So it is doubtful that the political problems will be the end of the Chicks.