The Dixie Chicks in 2007 (Photo: Michael Caulfield)It appears the Dixie Chicks are enjoying playing Santa Claus to their loyal fans this December. First, lead singer Natalie Maines made the welcome announcement that her long-awaited solo album was completed last week and will be released in May. Now, a day after Christmas, news has cropped up that the Chicks will be giving one of their increasingly rare performances as a trio this upcoming summer.
The Chicks will be headlining a Canadian music festival, the Craven Country Jamboree, on July 13. The girls will be replacing Lady Antebellum, who have been canceling 2013 tour dates due to singer Hillary Scott's pregnancy.
The festival's director of marketing, Kim Blevins, is happy to advise fans that this will be a very special occasion. "It won't be a regular show," she explains. "Not only will our fans see Natalie Maines, Martie Maguire and Emily Robison, the three original members, this is a greatest hits package. The Craven date will be one of the only opportunities fans of the band will have to see them live."
The Dixie Chicks have appeared live as a trio sparingly over the past few years, with the most recent appearance in 2011 as part of a Texas fundraiser for wildfire relief.
Canadian country fans will no doubt be overjoyed by the festival's multi-day lineup, which includes several huge attractions. Kenny Chesney will be performing (he's only announced two Canadian dates for 2013; this is one of them), as well as his superstar 2012 tourmate, Tim McGraw.
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