• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Culture

The Chicks say they made the decision not to chase country radio out of logic, not anger

1:45
Woman's powerful post on being a black country music fan goes viral
Gabriel Bouys/AFP via Getty Images, FILE
ByCarena Liptak
July 17, 2020, 2:22 PM

The Chicks return this week with "Gaslighter," their first full-length original project since 2006.

The once-ultra successful country trio effectively got benched by country radio after speaking out against the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. Although the band won’t be chasing a return to the country charts with any of the music on "Gaslighter," the group says they’ve long moved on from the incident, even if not everyone in the country industry has.

"Even if we never said another word, I feel like they want us to be controversial," band mate Emily Strayer noted in a new interview with The Washington Post. "They want to make us angry all the time, and we’re not angry people."

Related Articles

MORE: The Chicks drop 'Dixie' from their name, unveil fiery new 'March March' single

It isn’t anger that keeps the band from trying to place a single at country radio. They say it’s simple logic.

Editor’s Picks

Why The Dixie Chicks dropped 'Dixie' from their name

  • Jun 25, 2020

Dixie Chicks reveal new 'Gaslighter' release date after album delay

  • Jun 16, 2020

Faith Hill slams the Mississippi flag as a 'symbol of terror'

  • Jun 26, 2020

"Rest assured, I’ve never spent one minute of my life, thank God, being ‘mad’ at country radio," said Natalie Maines, who bore the brunt of much of the venom directed at The Chicks during the 2003 backlash as the one who spoke out on stage during a London concert, declaring that they were "ashamed" that then-President George W. Bush was from Texas.

"It’s like going back to your abuser. Or doing something for a second time and hoping for a different outcome or result," Maines said, explaining why the band is done with courting radio. "It’s just called learning from your life."

"Gaslighter" drops in full on Friday. The band has already released a handful of songs from the album, including the title track.

Editor’s Picks

Why The Dixie Chicks dropped 'Dixie' from their name

  • Jun 25, 2020

Dixie Chicks reveal new 'Gaslighter' release date after album delay

  • Jun 16, 2020

Faith Hill slams the Mississippi flag as a 'symbol of terror'

  • Jun 26, 2020

Up Next in Culture—

Chef Robert Irvine, Sandra Lee and more pay tribute to late Food Network star Anne Burrell

June 18, 2025

Tyler Perry denies claims in $260M lawsuit over sexual assault claims by actor in his shows

June 18, 2025

Ariana Grande's grandmother Marjorie 'Nonna' Grande dies at 99: See her moving tribute

June 18, 2025

Dolly Parton, Tom Cruise among stars to receive honorary Oscars

June 17, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News