In 1984, sisters Emily Robison, Martie Maguire, together with two friends, Laura Lynch and Robin Lynn Macy, formed the group the Dixie Chicks. This incarnation of the country group could not find success and after some reorganization, the departure of Lynch and Macy, and the addition of Natalie Maines, the Dixie Chicks were finally signed to a major label. In 1997 the Chicks released the single I Can Love You Better followed by the album Wide Open Spaces in 1998. The album went on to become one of the 50 best selling albums in American History.
The Dixie Chicks followed up Wide Open Spaces with the albums Fly and Home. At the 2003 Grammy Awards, the Dixie Chicks won 3 awards, including Best Country Album. Then weeks later, on the eve of the invasion of Iraq, in London, England, Natalie Maines sparked controversy and a massive backlash against the band for her comment about US President George W. Bush.
Just so you know, we're ashamed the President is from Texas.
This comment sparked huge criticism of the band, causing many radio stations to drop the Chicks from their play lists and even death threats against all three members. The Dixie Chicks stood by their comment but tried to create some positive PR with some magazine and TV ads and a few statements. After leaving some time for the public reaction to die down, the Dixie Chicks released their next album
Taking the Long Way including tracks,
Not Ready To Make Nice and
Everybody Knows. At the 2007 Grammy Awards, the Chicks were honored more than ever before, receiving 5 awards, including Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Record of the Year.
