Dixie Chicks

Hey the Dixie Chicks are back....well sort of. CMT.com has reported that two of the three Chicks, Martie Maguire and Emily Robison, who are sisters, will be releasing an album. The project, which will be on the Dixie Chicks' original label, Columbia/Nashville, will apparently be without lead vocalist, and their cousin, Natalie Maines. There has been no title or release date set at this time.

The good news for Chicks fans is that it looks like they are staying together. That comes from a good source, Natalie's father, and producer Lloyd Maines. Maines, who co-produced the Dixie Chicks' 2002 album, "Home," confirmed that Emily and Martie have been cutting some tracks, but not really clear on the direction. There's even been a report of Natalie appearing on at least one song.

"Natalie recorded a little something with them ... about a year ago," said Maines. "I know that Martie's doing a fiddle record on her own and that Emily has been demoing some of her [own] songs. I played on some of those."

"They were all here at my house for Christmas," he says. "Everybody seemed happy and healthy. And they were back here on New Year's Eve with their families. Everybody had a great time, but, I tell you, during holidays, I don't ask any business questions, and they didn't offer any insight. ... But they're definitely still an entity.

"I know that the girls seem really happy being out of the public eye," Maines continues. "They hit it so hard for so many years. The dynamics have changed so much now because they've all got kids that are in school. The happy-go-lucky, just-take-off-and-go situation has definitely changed."

It looks like Maguire's bluegrass album will be traditional, older songs and as far as Martie and Emily's project together, that may or may not include Natalie.....stay tuned.

For more info, visit www.dixiechicks.com.

By Jim Asker

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