Martie Maguire - The Dixie Chicks

The Dixie Chicks

In 1989, Maguire and Robison joined guitarist Robin Lynn Macy and Laura Lynch on bass in the Dixie Chicks, playing what was at the time predominantly bluegrass music and a mix of country standards. Originally listed as Martha, and then Martie Erwin, Maguire played fiddle, mandolin, viola and harmonized with Robison on backing vocals within the band.

Maguire had begun writing and recording songs on their debut independent album, Thank Heavens for Dale Evans; and in 2001, one song, co-written with Laura Lynch called "Pink Toenails" resurfaced. The song was featured in the film, Don't Say A Word, with Skye McCole Bartusiak performing the song.

When their second album had a more polished sound, Maguire commented, "I hope our fans won't be disappointed ; it's got drums on every track; it's no longer bluegrass, but we have to make a living and you can't do that playing bluegrass".

Two albums later, after Natalie Maines assumed the position of lead vocalist, the band was revitalized. Maguire said of their music, "It's very rootsy, but then Natalie comes in with a rock and blues influence. That gave Emily and I a chance to branch out, because we loved those kinds of music but felt limited by our instruments".

Maguire co-wrote the song, "Cowboy Take Me Away" on the Chicks sophomore studio album Fly for her sister Emily. It was a tribute to Emily's courtship with country music writer/singer Charlie Robison. Maguire was singled out by BMI in 2000, and awarded Songwriter of the Year for writing and/or co-writing "Cowboy Take Me Away", "Ready To Run" and "You Were Mine". You Were Mine was co-written by the sisters about their parent's divorce.

In 1999, the Dixie Chicks performed two songs, recording a cover of the song, You Can't Hurry Love as well as Maguire's "Ready to Run" for the Julia Roberts/ Richard Gere film Runaway Bride. In 2003, Maguire was nominated for a Tony Award for co-composing the film score to Urban Cowboy; the musical used her "Cowboy Take Me Away".

After the band achieved massive commercial success with its first Sony studio two albums with Maines, they struggled with their record company over artistic direction on the third. Maguire commented, "I don't think any of us ever trusted Nashville. When you're in that town you know everybody is talking about everybody else. Everybody is wishing for the other guy to fail".

Although Maguire and Robison often appear quiet and demure compared to their animated bandmate Natalie Maines, the trio have stood united on controversial subjects since they banded together to play in 1995, even when their opinions have had the potential to serve them more harm than good. In 2006, Maguire said, "I'd rather have a smaller following of really cool people who get it, who will grow with us as we grow and are fans for life, than people that have us in their five-disc changer with Reba McEntire and Toby Keith. We don't want those kinds of fans. They limit what you can do".