Thirteen-time Grammy Award winners The Chicks have announced a tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of their 2006 album, Taking the Long Way.
The band has sold more than 30.5 million albums and is recognized as the biggest-selling U.S. female band of all time, achieving multiple “diamond” certifications – ten million copies sold – for their releases.
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, The Chicks developed a strong fan base through performances that felt conversational rather than promotional, blending honest country music with a feminist perspective.
The group’s musicianship, songwriting, and harmonies contributed to their connection with audiences and influenced subsequent female country and Americana artists.
By the early 2000s, The Chicks were a prominent act in country music, filling arenas with their musicianship, humor, and energetic performances.
Wide Open Spaces (1997) and Fly (1999) both achieved multi-platinum status and remained among the best-selling albums in American history for years.
In 1998, The Chicks performed “There’s Your Trouble” on the nationally televised CMA Awards, receiving the “Vocal Group of the Year” and “Horizon Award” that evening. This performance introduced their musicianship and vocal harmonies to a wider audience.
In March 2003, while performing in London, Natalie Maines stated: “Just so you know, we’re ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas.”
The statement prompted immediate backlash, including radio boycotts, destruction of CDs, and death threats, leading to a significant shift in the band’s career.
Despite the controversy, The Chicks continued to perform, even appearing at the Academy of Country Music Awards via teleconference from a theatre in Austin, Texas, performing a song that was described as tender and emotive.
The band navigated increased scrutiny from audiences, media, and the industry, becoming an example of artists being asked to defend their beliefs.
The 2006 release of Taking the Long Way, featuring the song “Not Ready To Make Nice,” addressed the criticism and became a defining song of the decade.
The song evolved into a cathartic experience for supporters during live performances, representing artistic freedom and resistance to censorship.
After a hiatus, The Chicks released Gaslighter in 2020, demonstrating a continued willingness to engage with contemporary issues alongside their established history, demonstrating a continued willingness to engage with contemporary issues.
