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Natalie Maines Likens Country Music to an 'Abusive Husband'

Jason Merritt, Getty Images

The Dixie Chicks' lead singer Natalie Maines will be releasing a solo album in May, but she's made it clear it won't sound much like a Chicks record. In fact, there's little chance, she says, of her returning to a career in country music. On the red carpet at the Bruce Springsteen tribute concert in Los Angeles last week to benefit MusiCares, Natalie joked that returning to a career in country music would be "like going back to your abusive husband." (quote via CMT)

When CMT host Katie Cook asked Natalie for her thoughts on her place in country music these days, the singer began to laugh. Katie told her that there are many country fans who still love her, to which she replied, "You still love me. ... Lots of people don't love me. You know what? It's kind of like going back to your abusive husband. I'm just not feeling it. I'm sorry."

As Natalie laughed at her own response, Katie played along with the metaphor, saying, "We won't hit you anymore!"

"Ah, yeah, right," Natalie answered, as she continued to laugh. "That's what they all say."

The Texas-based trio, who have won a total of 13 Grammys, were a country music powerhouse, thanks to such multi-million-selling albums as Wide Open Spaces and Fly, but their success at country radio came to a screeching halt following disparaging comments Natalie made about then-President George W. Bush in March 2003 at a concert in London.

Natalie's solo album, Mother, will be released May 7. Produced by Ben Harper, the 10-track disc's title tune is a cover of a song from Pink Floyd's The Wall. The album also features songs written by Eddie Vedder, Jeff Buckley, and one penned by her fellow Chicks, Martie Maguire and Emily Robison.

"I wanted this music to be very different from the Dixie Chicks," Natalie says of the rock-infused disc (quote via Billboard magazine). "Lots of albums by lead singers might just as well have been made by the band, but I think this is very different from anything the Chicks could make. That separation and distinction was important."


Watch the Dixie Chicks' 'Not Ready to Make Nice' Video





Download Dixie Chicks Songs | Buy Dixie Chicks Albums

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rrsiteman

Harsh words, but I do love the direction she's going with Mother. http://smarturl.it/NMainesNPR all the songs are amazing

Sunday at 3:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
igeek

Country music hasn't been "Country music" in a long time. Natalie is better off without it. I'm glad she's making the transition. I loved the Dixie Chicks and I know I'll love her new stuff. Still, I could do without the political commentary. I hate politics but more importantly, I simply don't care to hear famous people's opinions. Shut your mouths and entertain me, that's your job.

March 15 2013 at 4:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to igeek's comment
Serafin Chiodoko

I don't care for the political commentary either, but you have to remember that the entertainers of this country are its citizens too, thus share the same rights, including freedom of speech. I remember some people wanting to enact a law to stop famous people from giving their own opinions.

May 08 2013 at 10:55 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mizgina22

It is so nice to know that Natalie is singing at the SXSW 2013 Festival and not letting all the haters get to her. Her voice is magnificent and it is a pleasure to know that she will continue to perform for all of us who love, adore and respect Natalie for her talent, and even for her political views (especially when her past political views made sense). All of you who wanted her "to shut up and just sing" couldn't keep this girl down from staying true to herself. That's the Natalie that many of us love. Rock on Natalie!!!!

March 15 2013 at 12:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
xxwwrightxx

I hate GWB as much as she does, maybe more!

March 15 2013 at 9:51 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
xxwwrightxx

I hate GWB more than she does! People pay to hear her sing, not her FN political views! STFU and sing. God bless Toby Keith.........

March 14 2013 at 11:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
harolddundee

Natalie is a real motor mouth.

February 26 2013 at 10:51 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mizgina22

I believe country music WILL be missing out on a great talent. There are other genre's of music that will gladly work with Natalie and embrace her fearless and honest spirit. The music world will not be at a loss from her beautiful voice. There will be a renaissance in Natalie's world and she will create new, more rich sounds than ever before. Go with God, Natalie and don't listen to the haters.

February 19 2013 at 8:47 AM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
Jane and Jim

I don't believe country music would want this ungrateful person to return to their music. What a SNOB!

February 17 2013 at 3:10 PM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
mizgina22

All of you people who are expressing negative comments about Natalie, it is obvious that you don't have a clue about having moral conviction, how to discern truth and the real meaning of being patriotic. This talented girl saw that the ex-President was destroying the values of our country and spoke about it. In fact, that is the most patriotic thing I've ever witnessed. Natalie cares about the U.S. and expressed shame about it's leadership. Simply put, she is never backed down from telling the truth and her comments continue to be as real and as truthful as they've always been - - - despite all your hate towards her for it. I love Natalie and I know her talent will continue to shine and I can't wait to listen to all her future records.

February 14 2013 at 8:38 AM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to mizgina22's comment
marionwayne

Your posting mizgina22 is spot on. I will be buying Natalie's future albums as well. Natalie did what we are all supposed to do, speak up when you see something wrong. She said what more than half of us were saying, she just had the mic. The other less than half are becoming more irrelevant every day. These people came close to putting "Mittens" in the White House.

February 14 2013 at 10:20 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
marionwayne

Natalie, you are a horrible person. Why did you ignore all of the intelligence reports given to you and let this great country of ours be attacked on Sept. 11? The worst attack since Pearl Harbor. Thousands of innocent people on planes crashing into thousands more at the twin towers and the pentagon. This was the real crime.

February 14 2013 at 8:17 AM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply

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