Country Trio The Chicks Face Criticism For Off-Key National Anthem At DNC

by Lauren RamseyAugust 23, 2024, 6:30 pmDaily Digest, News, News Feed >

The Chicks, formerly known as the Dixie Chicks, faced widespread criticism for their performance of the National Anthem at the Democratic National Convention. The Grammy-winning country group, known for their vocal harmonies, delivered a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” that many viewers described as noticeably off-key.

Social media erupted with comments about the performance, with even fans of the group expressing disappointment. Some speculated about technical difficulties, suggesting the band may have experienced monitor issues that affected their ability to hear themselves properly.

The Chicks, consisting of Natalie Maines, Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer, made no public comment about the performance. Instead, they simply shared a video of the event from a pro-Kamala Harris account on social media.

This appearance marked a significant moment for the group, which has a history of political controversy. In 2003, lead singer Maines publicly criticized then-President George W. Bush and the Iraq War during a concert in the U.K. The comments led to a severe backlash from their largely conservative fan base, resulting in boycotts, plummeting album sales and even death threats.

Despite the setback, the group made a successful comeback with their 2006 album Taking the Long Way, which won five Grammy Awards. However, they have maintained a relatively low profile in recent years, with their latest album, Gaslighter, released in 2020 after a 14-year hiatus.

The DNC performance coincided with recent changes for the band. In June 2020, they quietly dropped “Dixie” from their name, rebranding as The Chicks without issuing a formal statement. The move came amid growing discussions about the term’s association with the Confederacy and the racial history of the American South.

The group has also publicly aligned themselves with progressive causes. They recently released a music video for their song “March March,” featuring imagery from various protests throughout history and declaring support for the Black Lives Matter movement.