Natalie Maines is best known for being the lead vocalist of The Chicks (previously known as Dixie Chicks), who brought a strong essence and unique sound to the band. But Maines is more than just a member of a country trio. She has since established herself as a solo performer and an accomplished songwriter.
Get to know more about her with these exciting facts.
1. She’s a native of Lubbock, Texas.
Natalie Maines, whose real name is Natalie Louise Maines, was born on October 14, 1974, to a musical family. Her father, Lloyd Maines, is a country musician, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and Grammy award-winning producer. He was also one of the first three artists inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame.
2. She had always known she was going to be a star.
Maines went to Lubbock’s Nat Williams Elementary School, where one of her grade school teachers recalled Maines saying she doesn’t need to learn any math lessons – “I’m gonna be a star,” she said.
3. She has always been outspoken on political and social justice issues.
Growing up, Maines said she has always stood up for the minorities and always had these strong convictions about doing so. And being a superstar did not stop her from speaking up her mind.
In 2003, just before the Iraq War, Maines created a controversy when she publicly criticized President George W. Bush during their Top of the World Tour in London – saying that the band was ashamed to be from the same state as Bush. The statement led to a backlash, and The Chicks songs were blacklisted by many country radio stations.
4. She was in a very public feud with fellow country star Toby Keith.
Maines started trading jabs with Toby Keith after the latter released “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue,” which Maines described as making country music sound “ignorant.”
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Keith responded by calling Maines a “lousy songwriter” and displaying a fake photo of Maines next to Saddam Hussein during tours. The feud went then went on and on.
5. She got a tattoo that had social media buzzing.
Maines took to Instagram to share with fans her new tattoo on her toe – which she said was “the most painful place to get a tattoo.” She then added the hashtag #Strength, as her tattoo is similar to the ancient Greek symbol for strength.
However, internet goers were quick to notice that it was instead the iconic Bassdrop symbol of American DJ and record producer Bassnectar. The tattoo was supposed to hide her original ink, which was her ex-husband’s initials.
6. She’s a mother of two.
In 2000, Maines married American actor Adrian Pasdar. The couple was blessed with two sons: Jackson Slade and Beckett Finn. Sadly, after seventeen years of being married, Maines filed for divorce.
After being embroiled in a two-year legal battle, Maines and Pasdar’s divorce was finalized in 2019.
While her career comes with shocking, unforgettable controversies, there’s no one quite like Natalie Maines in country music.
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