Dixie Chicks Back Up Steve Martin

While used to being front-and-center, the Dixie Chicks are happy to play second-fiddle to actor, comedian and musician Steve Martin. The trio has been tapped to sing on Martin’s sophomore bluegrass album.

 

"It was right up our alley, because we are looking for projects that are fun and exciting and different, and that's just something that's perfect," Chick Martie Maguire told Billboard. "Of course we said yes to begin with, but then he sent the song and it's really good, so we're really excited. I think we assumed we were going to play, but he's got this amazing bluegrass band [the Steep Canyon Rangers], so we're just harmonizing."

 

The Dixie Chicks just wrapped up a tour with the Eagles and Keith Urban after slowly emerging from their self-imposed break, which began in 2007.

 

"We just take one thing at a time as far as opportunities from the outside," bandmate Emily Robison explained. "I think we're excited to start writing again and getting new songs for whatever project they happen to be for. But [the Chicks] had a lot of fun in June playing with the Eagles, so I would dare say that in the next nine months we'll be doing something, one way or another."

 

During the Dixie Chicks hiatus, sisters Maguire and Robinson formed the duo Court Yard Hounds apart from Dixie Chicks lead singer Natalie Maines and will perform on the Lilith Fair this summer. The duo is also planning an Australian tour later this fall.

 

"I feel like Court Yard Hounds keeps us idling," Maguire said. "I think Emily and I function better when we're continually making music and playing, and this is a way to keep doing that. So we're idling, and when Natalie says jump, we're ready to jump and do the Dixie Chicks thing again, too. It makes us all fulfilled and happy that way, I think."

 

The Dixie Chicks have not released any new music since their 2006 Grammy-winning album, Taking the Long Way. In June, they released  Playlist: The Very Best of the Dixie Chicks.

Source: TheBoot.com