Natalie joined the all female country group the Dixie Chicks in 1996. The group has been performing since 1989.
Natalie plays guitar and is the lead singer in the group.
In March of 2003, Natalie Maines provoked controversy and anger from country music fans by saying, during a concert in London, that she was "ashamed" that President George W. Bush was from Texas. Maines is a native of Lubbock, Texas. Following the uproar and some calls for a boycott, the singer issued an apology: "As a concerned American citizen, I apologize to President Bush because my remark was disrespectful. I feel that whoever holds that office should be treated with the utmost respect. We are currently in Europe and witnessing a huge anti-American sentiment as a result of the perceived rush to war. While war may remain a viable option, as a mother, I just want to see every possible alternative exhausted before children and American soldiers' lives are lost. I love my country. I am a proud American."
However, many fans remained angry and vowed to press on with boycott plans, while other fans were disappointed that she apologized.