Dixie Chicks Biography

Dixie Chicks: Biography

In the late '90s, the Dixie Chicks rose from relative obscurity to become the best-selling country act of 1998. But this trio from Dallas is by no means an "overnight success," having paid their dues for nearly a decade playing in a variety of venues such as barbeque joints, nursing homes, grocery stores and street corners. Fiddler Martie Seidel and dobro/guitarist Emily Robison, with original vocalists Laura Lynch and Robin Macy, released their bluegrass-heavy indie debut, Thank Heavens for Dale Evans, in 1990 and got national attention when they were asked to perform at President Clinton's 1993 inauguration. They released two more independent albums, though Macy left in 1992 and Lynch was replaced with Natalie Maines, daughter of noted Texas steel guitarist and producer Lloyd Maines in 1995.

The reconfigured trio signed to Sony's Monument imprint in 1997 for the release of Wide Open Spaces, the best-selling country album of 1998. The album sold more than six million copies, making it the biggest selling debut ever by a country group. They also took home a Grammy that year for "Best Country Album."

The Dixie Chicks followed up in 1999 with the equally successful Fly, which shot to No. 1 on the Billboard 200, spawned two bit hits, "Ready to Run" and "Goodbye Earl," sold more than 2.8 million copies and won the group their second "Best Country Album" award at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards.

When it came time to record their third LP, the Dixie Chicks got involved in an ugly legal battle with their record label, Sony, over royalty payments. In the end, the Dixie Chicks were awarded an undisclosed amount of money and given their own record label, Open Wide Records, a decision that many lauded as coup for artist rights.

In 2002, the Dixie Chicks took part in the Fifth Annual VH1 Divas show in Las Vegas, along with Mary J. Blige, Cher and Celine Dion. Then came their long-awaited album, Home, a blue-grass heavy, acoustic record that features songs written by Patty Griffin and Bruce Robison as well as Dixie Chick's originals and a cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide."

Emily Robison of the Dixie Chicks: (part of her acceptance speech at the Grammy's in 2007) We wouldn't have made this album without everything we went through, so we have no regrets.(edit)
Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks: (part of her acceptance speech at the Grammy's in 2007) I think people are using their freedom of speech tonight with all of these awards.(edit)
Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks: (part of her acceptance speech at the Grammys in 2007) I'm ready to make nice!(edit)
Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks: (the comment that ended their career and outraged fans) Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas.(edit)

At the 49th Annual Grammy Awards show in 2007, The Dixie Chicks won all of the awards they were nominated for. They won Song of the Year for "Not Ready to Make Nice," Record of the year for Not Ready to Make Nice, Album of the Year for Taking The Long Way, Country Album of the Year for Taking The Long Way, and Country Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal.(edit)
In 1998, the Dixie Chicks were the highest debuting country group in seven years. (edit)
In 1998, the Dixie Chicks' first album, Wide Open Spaces, sold more units than all other country groups combined.(edit)
The Dixie Chicks were the best selling country group of 1998. (edit)
Emily Erwin was born on August 16, 1972 in Pittsfield, Maine.(edit)
Martie Erwin was born on October 6, 1969 in York, Pennsylvania.(edit)
Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks was born on October 4, 1974 in Lubbock, Texas.(edit)
The Dixie Chicks have won sixteen Grammy Awards, five Academy of Country Music awards, nine CMA awards, a CMT Flameworthy Video Music Award, a Country Weekly Presents the TNN Music Award, and a TNN/Music City News award.(edit)
In 2003, many radio stations banned playing the Dixie Chicks music and fans smashed their cds. This all stemmed from Natalie's comment about the President.(edit)
The Dixie Chicks second album Fly sold over 9 million albums.(edit)
In 1999, the Dixie Chicks went on tour with the all female Lilith Fair.(edit)
In 1998, the Dixie Chicks won a CMA award for the Horizon award and Best Vocal Group.(edit)
When it comes to the Dixie Chicks, Martie plays the fiddle, Natalie is the lead singer, and Emily plays the Dobro, banjo and guitar.(edit)
The Dixie Chicks debut album, Wide Open Spaces, sold over 12 million copies.(edit)
Dixie Chicks, Martie Erwin and Emily Erwin, are sisters.(edit)
The Dixie Chicks consists of Martie Erwin, Emily Erwin, and Natalie Maines.(edit)
Martie's first gig was at a place called the Pickin' Parlor in Grapevine, Texas.(edit)
A pre-Natalie Chicks' song, "I Wanna Be A Cowboy's Sweetheart," can be heard in an episode of Northern Exposure titled "Jules et Joel". This would be episode #5 from the 3rd season. It currently runs in syndication on the Hallmark channel.(edit)
Natalie appears in the movie Grand Champion. It's an independent film starring Bruce Willis and Julia Roberts.(edit)
The "Not Ready To Make Nice" video set three records for most consecutive weeks at #1 on VH1's Top 20 countdown. The video spent 13 consecutive weeks at #1.(edit)
The Dixie Chicks Pledge is:

Hold your up your right hand while placing left hand on a Dixie Chicks CD and say:

I, (state your name), promise to love, buy any CDs of, purchase magazines pertaining to, go to concerts, watch on TV, pay per view, or any other media, and visit the website of the Dixie Chicks, forever. I promise not to let this get the best of me however, so that I become obsessed to the point of watching them through binoculars, looking through windows, and or garbage. I promise that when I hear Natalie sing, or Martie fiddle, or Emily pick, that my heart will fill with admiration and respect for these women who give so much to the music world. I promise that when the day comes when they become (heaven forbid) old and wrinkly, saggy and gray, when Natalie can't sing so strongly anymore and Martie's fingers don't move as fast as they used to and Emily can't remember what all those strings are for, I will still respect them, still admire them, and have a high regard for the Chicks and all they stand for and do.(edit)
The Dixie Chicks's band includes David Grissom (band leader/guitar), Keith Sewell (guitar), Audley Freed (guitar), Pete Finney (steel), Larry Knechtel (keyboards), Sebastian Steinberg (bass), Fred Eltringham (drums), J'Anna Jacoby (violin), and John Krovoza (cello).(edit)
The Dixie Chicks were on Oprah on October 26, 2006.(edit)
The Dixie Chicks sang the National Anthem at Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003.(edit)
Discography:
1992: Little Ol' Cowgirl
1992: Thank Heavens for Dale Evans
1993: Shouldn't a Told You That
1998: Wide Open Spaces
1999: Fly
2002: Home
2003: Top of the World (Live)
2006: Taking the Long Way(edit)