The Dixie Chicks played it cool and humble, but they had to feel vindicated by the five Grammy Awards they took home Sunday night including Record of the Year, Song of the Year (for “Not Ready to Make Nice”) and Album of the Year (Taking the Long Way). While country radio had turned their back on the Chicks and the CMA and ACM award shows had been Chick-less as well, the Grammy community gave them a big “way to go Chicks!” with their five for five. The Chicks also won the Best Country Album and Best Country Duo or Group award.
Sporting a new brunette look, Natalie Maines claimed at one point that, “For once I’m speechless!” It was Maines who took a shot at President Bush before a concert in 2003, which led to a Chicks boycott on many country stations. Martie Maguire thanked their core fans for sticking with them and Emily Robison noted that without the controversy, this album would never have been made. Natalie Maines also quipped, “Now I’m ready to make nice.”