Country Music is a ‘Long Time Gone’ for Dixie Chicks Lead Singer Natalie Maines
“Long Time Gone” was a big hit for the Dixie Chicks back in 2002, and it seems that the title is quite fitting for lead singer Natalie Maines and her current relations, or lack there of, with country music. While tweeting with fans during the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards this past Sunday night, Maines made it a point on several occasions to put as much distance between her and the country music world as possible.
Upon realizing that Maines wasn’t aware of who Jason Aldean was during his performance of “Don’t You Wanna Stay” with Kelly Clarkson, one fan stated “U simply can’t be that far removed from country music.” As it turns out, Maines actually is, or at least claims to be, that far removed. To that fan, Maines replied “I can’t? I haven’t been aware of country music in at least 6 years. It’s not my thing.”
When another one of her followers expressed disbelief that Maines wasn’t aware of Aldean, Maines reiterated her stance on today’s country music, saying “I’m very out of that world.”
Maines admits that at one point in her career, she followed mainstream country but only because she felt like she had a responsibility to do so. That responsibility, she says, is gone.
“I used to follow it because I felt it was my job to know what was going on. I don’t think that anymore;),” Maines replied to an inquiring fan on Twitter.
One country star that the Dixie Chick is aware of is Taylor Swift. She even went so far as to semi-compliment her GRAMMY performance, tweeting “Haven’t seen anybody make the banjo look sexy since [fellow Dixie Chicks star] Emily Robison.#goodjobtaylorswift”.
One fan reminded Maines that it was country music that had made her a star and granted her fame and fortune. Natalie assured that follower that Dixie Chicks fans are still in her heart by responding “I still love and appreciate DC fans.”
Throughout the rest of the awards telecast, Maines continued to give her thoughts on singers of all different genres, praising both Jennifer Hudson and Adele, while criticizing Chris Brown.
