Dixie Chicks Are My Favorite Artist of the Decade
There's always that defining moment when someone asks you who your favorite artist is. That is not a question I take lightly. So I probe: Favorite right this minute? Or my favorite of all time? If I think about the artists that made my last decade such a good one, I have to put the Dixie Chicks at the very top of that short list. They had already debuted when the decade started but I didn't immerse myself in their music until about 2000. "Goodbye Earl" was such infectious banjo tune but had an important message about the power of girlfriends. Then "Without You" came out, cementing Natalie Maines' status as a flawless balladeer. (She also co-wrote the song.) The Dixie Chicks went on to have more hits throughout the early 2000s, but then things changed. For them and for me. They had their 2003 George Bush incident and I had an epiphany.
I quit my day job in 2005 and made a full-time commitment to country music journalism. And my very first Chicago Tribune feature story assignment came in 2006 when their new album, Taking the Long Way, came out. So I got the music in advance and interviewed everyone who played a part in making it. I talked with Emily Robison, reining in my Oh-my-God-I'm-on-the-phone-with-Emily-Robison anxiety just enough to hear her out on what the album was all about. Then I talked with legendary producer Rick Rubin, who told me, "We did this (album) in a way that transcends country." Wow. Transcends country? If that is what transcending country sounds like, I thought, count me in. The songs on the album didn't climb the country charts like their other ones did but critics loved it. In 2007, it won a well-deserved Grammy award for album of the year.
My friend Jill and I saw them in concert for the first time in August of 2006 and we had the time of our lives. (A few too many Jack and Cokes, but still the time of our lives.) I realized that night that no other country act would ever come close to being my favorite.
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Dana says:
Love the Chicks an miss them but Loretta Lynn will always be my favorite country artist. I love all kinds of music,(especially R&B, blues and old Motown music) but Country has always been and will always be my favorite. While most of my friends were listening to anything but country I was listening to Loretta, Conway, David Houston, Merle, Marty, Johnny, Waylon and the oldies like Webb, Kitty, Hank, Tex Ritter and so many more.
Loretta Lynn though is my favorite, just love her, she will always be my favorite, have seen her over 50 times in my life. She just to me is the heart and soul OF what I call REAL Country music, if I was trying to explain WHAT IS REAL country music, not only the music but the life and heart of a real country singer, I would introduce them to her music.
Even George Strait is NOT that true real GRIT old country music. The kind that you know 100% is real heart and soul country music. Loretta is the picture and definition of country to me, just like Hank Williams was.
Christina says:
I’m in agreement with Alison. The Dixie Chicks have put out amazing and creative country music over the last decade. I love country music but it has become all the same sounding, with no real innovation (although Miranda Lambert is an exception.) The Dixie Chicks have always been a step ahead of everyone else, not playing it safe in terms of their music or their opinions. They have paid a price for that but as Natalie Maines says “It turned my whole world around and I kinda like it.”
Redmaz says:
To Christina, you say you love Country Music but it has become all the same sounding with no real innovation? I have a feeling you don’t know enough about today’s music, especially Country Music to make such a statement. How do you feel about today’s cutting edge Americana Music? Roots Country? The Red Dirt Music scene?.
Robin says:
There are way to many great country artist to have a favorite. I could list 20 and why I love them and think they’re the best.
Redmaz says:
Still waiting for a reply from Christina, although there’s really no need to. I already know the answer.
brett farve says:
tim mcgraw number one no one is in his same category
Pat Moore says:
Real Country Music—-Let me see, none of these so called
stars are Stars. You can’t just put a HAT on and call yourself a Star. Loretta Lynn, is a Country Music Star because she can sing a song without all the instruments
these other people can. The ONe and ONLY GREAT GEORGE JONES,is a Country Music Star. After these legends are gone
there will be no one to carry on. Loretta lynn, is a lady
not some half dressed singer who hit it big and forgot her
life.
D Trotter says:
The Dixies were the best! The years they were making albums, those were my favorite years.
Debbie W. says:
I LOVE the Dixie Chicks..and I miss them SO much. Thank goodness for Miranda Lambert!
Bill says:
Allison,
Can you tell us where to get the information on when we can expect new music from our favorite artists? I would love toknow if and when the Dixie Chicks will release new songs and many others.
Thanks,
Bill
Rhae says:
I just wish the Chicks were back and doing their music the way “only the Dixie Chicks” can do it. I’ve lost a lot of respect for what I see as a Nashville “tar and feathering” and the failure of fearful country artists to come to support the rights of their own to their own opinions. I have not bought country artists since this whole mess happened. I don’t listen to their radio stations. I’m from Carrie Underwood country so it’s hard to do.
I also come from generations of military people that would not agree with all the fallout that the Chicks received. Sounds a lot like like some of the other “American witch hunts” we’ve seen happen in the past. I just hate what’s happened to this tremendous group of artists and ashamed that we didn’t do anything to stop it.