FLASHBACK: January 1998, one short year ago, the Dixie Chicks released their major record label debut - WIDE OPEN SPACES. At that time, Martie Seidel listed three goals for the group to obtain that year: To have a number-one record [check] For the album to go gold [check] To receive an awards nomination from the Country Music Association [check] Three out of three came true - not bad odds for the new kids on the block. Especially when they far exceeded their goals by not only receiving CMA Awards nominations, but going home winners of the Horizon Award and Vocal Group of the Year. They have continued to surpass those goals by selling double-platinum and scoring not one, but two number-one records this past year. So what goals have the Dixie Chicks set for 1999?
"I know what number one would be, just put out a killer second album," says Natalie Maines.
Which is precisely what the three-some is currently working on. They have already recorded a few songs for the album and will continue recording through March. As they diligently look for songs to include on their upcoming album, they are also in the process of writing a few of their own. Sisters Martie and Emily Erwin wrote one of the songs on the first album.
Martie explains, "The first album is about just getting ready to record and being part of a major label. We were just kind of learning our way. We really didn't have the opportunity to write with some of the writers we did this time. We went on retreats this summer, like a week at a time, and went like an hour outside of Nashville each time. We got away and really focused. I think that really helped. And then, hopefully, we'll have a good handful of originals on this album. But we're also taking stuff from other writers. Our motto is 'The best song wins, always.'"
While the groups enjoys writing with other writers, they also find there is a benefit to writing with each other.
"One thing that I find that I don't do as well [with other writers] ... is just throw my ideas out there, as much," says Natalie. "It's a little intimidating to be writing with these big, wonderful writers and ... You're like ... 'Well, what about if the girl ... Maybe ... No wait. No, that's bad. That's bad isn't it! Is that bad? No, that's good. And you're like ... Or! ... Or, what if ...' With us we're a little more, 'Nah, that sucks! Think of something else.' We're straight ahead with each other."
As the Dixie Chicks continue to hit the road in 1999, they have an addition to their tour ...
"We just got a trailer! Wooo!" Emily laughs. "We're growing. We like to be smart businesswomen, too, you know. We don't just want to spend money until we have it, and I think a lot of people get in over their heads at the very beginning. Because they want to have the show; and they want to have all the equipment, and the gear, and the personnel they need. But you have to get through that first year of old contracts and make sure you can pay for it."
Martie continues, "Your overhead grows faster than your price grows. The biggest misconception where we're from, the people that aren't in Country Music, is that ... People are asking my husband if he's quit his job yet. And whether he's managing the band, and all this stuff, or when are you gonna move into a bigger house?"
The Dixie Chicks reflect on the music industry after their incredible year.
"Well, since all of this has happened, it's really so incredible the support from other people, not only artists, but also the industry itself," says Emily. "The Horizon Award is really special to us because it's kind of the rest of the industry whether it be radio, or here in Nashville saying, 'We think you'll be around for a while.' Our biggest goal is longevity and that's the ultimate compliment. I think it's really neat that artists support other artists and it's not as backstabbing, maybe, as some other industries and that's really cool."
Martie says, "I'm really pleased to find out that that more success we're getting how genuine a lot of people are especially when there are a lot of preconceived notions of what people think about Nashville. And then you come and you find out that a lot of people are genuine and good people. When you're a little girl you picture, like these big guys with a cigar behind a desk, 'I'm gonna make you a star!' kind of people. And there is that camaraderie and that support.
"I hear our regionals at Monument all the time saying, 'It's so cool. My friends from other labels will call and say, 'You know, I just want to say that I went out and bought the Dixie Chicks record and I really love it.'' And just support from people that are not on their team. They're the competition, and they're coming out to our shows and really supporting us, and we get so many letters - like when we were gold, or platinum or won the awards. People just come out of the woodwork in the industry and give us congratulations. So we feel like we've been warmly welcomed."
Along with their career goals, the Dixie Chicks have made a pact to get matching chicken feet tattoos for every number one single and gold or platinum album.
"People are now saying we're gonna have to get 'em for the awards and that wasn't even in the initial pact. I don't think we're gonna be adding rules!" says Natalie.
Martie says, "This says nothing about how important the awards are! It's just like 'We gotta cut it off somewhere!' Or else we're just gonna be 'tattoo ladies.' When we're old, that will be our job ... We'll be at the carnival where you can pay to see the chicken foot tattoo ladies ..."
So what does the future look like for the only breakthrough act of 1998?
Martie sums it up for the group, "I see us still touring, and still doing what we're going, but maybe with some more luxury. Maybe with our own tours instead of opeing for other people ... Maybe calling a little more shots at the label [laughs]. Making some more decisions that we can't make at this time. Maybe some more chicken feet tattoos on our feet ..."
