wide open spaces

The Dixie Chicks let 'er rip and hit the majors with a new lead singer and a new sound that struck a balance between traditional country and pop music. Sisters Martie and Emily Erwin had started the band almost a decade earlier with Laura Lynch and Robin Lynn Macy playing bluegrass and country music. Macy left after the band's second independent release 'Little Ol' Cowgirl' saw them moving toward a more contemporary sound with session musicians. They recorded one more album 'Shouldn't a Told You That' with Lynch taking lead vocals before replacing her with Natalie Maines, the daughter of session guitarist Lloyd Maines who had played on two of their albums. They were the first group signed to Sony's new version of their aquired Monument Records. 'Wide Open Spaces' was recorded with a stable of producers: Jim Burnett, Mark Capps, Tony Castle, Blake Chancey, Erik Hellerman, Clarke Schleicher, Ed Simonton, and Paul Worley. The sessions featured Natalie Maines on lead vocals; Emily Robison on acoustic guitar, banjo, dobro, and vocals; and Martie Seidel on fiddle, mandolin, and vocals. Studio musicians included: Mark Casstevens on acoustic guitar; Bobby Charles, Jr. on bass; Joe Chemay and Michael Rhodes on bass guitar; Billy Crain on acoustic guitar; Lloyd Maines and Tony Paoletta on steel guitar; George Marinelli and Tommy Nash on electric guitar; Matt Rollings on piano and Hammond organ; Billy Joe Walker, Jr. and Paul Worley on acoustic and electric guitar; Tom Roady on shakuhachi, conga, and tambourine; and Greg Morrow on drums.



'Wide Open Spaces' was a smash success, becoming the best selling country album ever by a group. It charted at number thirty-five in Australia, twenty-nine in the UK, sixteen in Canada, and four in the US. It went to number one on both the Canadian and US country album charts. 
'Wide Open Spaces' won a Grammy for Best Country Album (they were also nominated for Best New Artist). It has sold more than twelve million copies worldwide.







http://www.dixiechicks.com/











"I Can Love You Better" went to number seventy-seven on the US pop chart, seven on the US country chart, and number three on the Canadian country chart.








"Wide Open Spaces" wandered up to number forty-one on the US pop chart, and number one on the Canadian and US country charts.









"There's Your Trouble" hit number thirty-three on the US pop chart, three on the Canadian country chart, and number one on the US country chart. It won a Grammy for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.







"You Were Mine"  charted at thirty-four on the US pop chart, and number one on the Canadian and US country charts.








"Tonight the Heartache's on Me" hit forty-six on the US pop chart, six on the US country chart, and number four on the Canadian country chart.








"Let 'Er Rip" 









"Am I the Only One (Who's Ever Felt This Way)" 











'Wide Open Spaces'

full album:

"I Can Love You Better" (Pamela Brown Hayes, Kostas) – 3:53

"Wide Open Spaces" (Susan Gibson) – 3:44

"Loving Arms" (Tom Jans) – 3:37

"There's Your Trouble" (Mark Selby, Tia Sillers) – 3:10

"You Were Mine" (Emily Erwin, Martie Seidel) – 3:37

"Never Say Die" (George Ducas, Radney Foster) – 3:56

"Tonight the Heartache's on Me" (Mary W. Francis, Johnny MacRae, Bob Morrison) – 3:25

"Let 'Er Rip" (Billy Crain, Sandy Ramos) – 2:49

"Once You've Loved Somebody" (Thom McHugh, Bruce Miller) – 3:28

"I'll Take Care of You" (J. D. Souther) – 3:40

"Am I the Only One (Who's Ever Felt This Way)" (Maria McKee) – 3:25

"Give It Up or Let Me Go" (Bonnie Raitt) – 4:55