Feisty Female Friday: The Chicks

The FFF this week is The Chicks.

The Chicks are a popular trio of women who perform pop/country western music and include Natalie Maines, Emily Robison, and Martie Maguire. They play guitars, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, dobro, and bass and first began singing traditional bluegrass on a Dallas street corner. The Dixie Chicks, now known as The Chicks, officially dropped the Dixie portion of their name to distance themselves from historical associations with the American South and racism.

The group's songs are often about female independence, defiance, sisterhood, heartbreak, and personal growth. They champion the regular women, include anti-war themes, and take a strong stance against all types of abuse and bullying.

They are also no stranger to controversy as they express their progressive social and political views. On the eve of the invasion of Iraq, The Chicks expressed their opposition to the war and said that they were ashamed that the President of the US who was from their home state of TX. Soon their music was banned, some of their fans burned their CDs, and they received numerous death threats.

But despite very limited play on country radio, their recent album debuted at #1 on Billboard's Country and overall Top 200 charts. This album features personal life events, a pop sound, and social justice and equality themes. The Dixie Chicks have retained much of their popularity today with a fan base that has shifted over time.

The Chicks have won thirteen Grammys, ten CMA Awards, and 10 ACM Awards. They have sold over 30 million albums and are among the best-selling female US bands of all time. They name Emmylou Harris and Dolly Parton as their major influencers.

They are very involved in numerous charity work projects including the North Shore Animal League, Conservation International, Environmental Causes/We Campaign, social and civil rights groups, Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Hurricane Katrina Relief, The Ally Coalition, children’s wellness, ACT Today, and Every Mother Counts.
The Chicks and their families live in TX and CA.