Usually, when you hear about the Dixie Chicks, you associate it with their controversial comments on George W. Bush. In a time where the U.S. was all in on a war with the Middle East, they were one of the few that spoke out against it. They even said that Bush's push to invade Iraq made them ashamed he was from their state.
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Of course, there are a handful of country artists that are anti-war. Obviously, the Outlaw Country greats were known for their strong, politically righteous demeanor. Additionally, the Dixie Chicks and their Bush comments were foundational in influencing the likes of Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert and Kacey Musgraves. However, at the time, patriotism moved in full force and steamrolled the group in favor of Toby Keith types.
They're no stranger to controversy outside of this too though. Never afraid to say what was on their minds, one moment at a concert sees them especially thorny to a certain pop group.
The Dixie Chicks Get in Hot Water Before Their Big George W. Bush Controversy
In a 1999 interview, the group share a story about their time performing at the annual Country Radio Seminar. At the time, The Chicks lamented this idea that they were the "country Spice Girls." Consequently, lead singer Natalie Maines jabs at the notion by announcing herself as a certain brand of Spice Girl. "Hi, I'm Slutty Spice", she jests.
However, not everyone was thrilled about these comments and it got Natalie in trouble. "They were so mean, she was in tears of anger. Early on, Natalie got into trouble a lot," The Dixie Chicks bandmate Martie Seidel says. Ultimately, Maines couldn't get with the idea of changing herself for popularity. You either liked her or you didn't. Those that love her appreciate the genuine nature though.
"Here I am, this adult, and these people are telling me how to act. But I wouldn't change what I was doing or saying. If you can't be yourself, who are you supposed to be? But people see that I'm genuine, I don't script things out. Everyone remembered us, and that was my main goal. Now they totally leave me alone," the Dixie Chicks lead says.
