The Chicks Sing The National Anthem At The Democratic National Convention

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The 2024 Democratic National Convention is underway in Chicago, and the Grammy Award-winning all-girl trio, The Chicks, took the stage Thursday night to sing โ€œThe Star-Spangled Banner.โ€

Thursday night (August 22) brings the conclusion to the 4-day Democratic National Convention held at the United Center in Chicago. Each night of the event has featured appearances from celebrities like John Legend, Jason Isbell, Stevie Wonder, and Mindy Kaling, to former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

Ahead of Thursday nightโ€™s festivities and the official nomination of this yearโ€™s Democratic Presidential nominee, Kamala Harris, The Chicks, formerly known as The Dixie Chicks, kicked off the event with the national anthem.

RELATED: CHRIS STAPLETON MADE GROWN MEN CRY WITH NATIONAL ANTHEM PERFORMANCE

Comprised of Natalie Maines, Emily Strayer, and Martie McGuire, The Chicks have long been vocal about their left-wing political stance, so their appearance at the DNC comes as no surprise. The trio were famously โ€œcanceledโ€ by the country music industry in 2003 when lead singer Maines said that she was ashamed that then-President George W. Bush was from her home state during a concert in London.

โ€œJust so you know, weโ€™re on the good side with yโ€™all,โ€ Maines said just days before the invasion of Iraq. โ€œWe do not want this war, this violence, and weโ€™re ashamed that the president of the United States is from Texas.โ€

The backlash was immense as demand for their albums and concert tickets plummeted, essentially forcing them away from the genre. But, the group has no regrets.

RELATED: THE CHICKS SAY THEY NEVER WANTED TO BE IN COUNTRY MUSIC

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Maines said that the moment set them free.

โ€œIt got us out of this box of country music, which we never wanted to be in and never felt like thatโ€™s who we were,โ€ Maines said. โ€œWe didnโ€™t have to do any of that bullsโ€” anymore. It wasnโ€™t like, โ€˜Oh, country music, please take us back.โ€™โ€

The Chicksโ€™ 2024 DNC appearance wasnโ€™t their first. In 2020, the band performed during the virtual convention.

Although they no longer consider themselves part of the country music world, The Chicks still have a fan base connected to the genre. They were just one of the country-esque acts recruited to perform at this yearโ€™s Democratic convention.

On Monday, Mickey Guyton performed, followed by Maren Morris on Wednesday. Their appearance shows a clear political divide in the country music landscape as many representatives of the genre either performed or attended last monthโ€™s Republican National Convention.

Lee Greenwood, Jason Aldean, Kid Rock, Chris Janson, and Brian Kelley were among those in attendance at the RNC, where Donald Trump officially accepted the 2024 Republican nomination for president.

Watch The Chicks sing โ€œThe Star-Spangled Bannerโ€ at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in the video below.

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About the Author

Tiffany Aaron

Hello! My name is Tiffany. Iโ€™ve worked as a content marketing specialist with Country Rebel since 2014. I enjoy stories about music and the people who make it. I find joy in writing about topics that educate, entertain, and bring smiles to readers' faces.

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