Dixie Chicks Stand Tall at the Grammy Awards

It was a moment of great irony, triumph and redemption when singer LeAnn Rimes announced the winner of the 2007 Grammy for Best Country Album. The Dixie Chicks took the award for Taking the Long Way Home which focuses in part on the aftermath of their 2003 public criticism of Bush and the war in Iraq.

Public outcry followed the controversial statement, "Just so you know, we're ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas," made by Natalie Maines, the only Texas native of the trio. The Dixie Chicks were banned from numerous radio stations and fans destroyed CDs and boycotted concerts. The next few years proved difficult for the band in terms of sales and respect among their country music peers. Hate mail, death threats, and alienated fans were just part of the backlash.

Despite these challenges, the Dixie Chicks have remained largely unapologetic. Maines mustered up a half-hearted apology early on, but has since retracted it, and country music fans still remain distant. So, it was with glee that the band claimed the biggest country music award of the evening. Maines responded to the win with, "That's interesting. Well, to quote the great Simpsons, 'Ha ha.'" Fellow Grammy attendees responded enthusiastically.

After the flippant remarks from Maines, band mate Emily Robison had a much more emotional reaction. Choking up during her acceptance speech she thanked those who have stood by their side, "Our core fans have always stayed true to us and I want to thank them for... staying with us." She followed that with the assertion, "We wouldn't have done this album without everything we've been through, so we have no regrets."

In addition to Best Country Album, the Dixie Chicks claimed Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals with "Not Read to Make Nice," an angry response to the events of the past few years. The single also nabbed the coveted Song of the Year award. Their album also garnered Record of the Year and Album of the Year. After the group won in all five of their nominated categories, Natalie Maines ended the evening with the proclamation, "I'm ready to make nice!"

Although many country music fans may still harbor resentment over the comments and attitude of the Dixie Chicks, the music industry has recognized their undeniable talent with numerous Grammy nominations and awards. It is unclear whether conservative America is ready to forgive and forget, but one thing is for sure: the Dixie Chicks aren't waiting around to find out.