In 2001, The Dixie Chicks sued Sony Music, their record label, for millions of dollars in unpaid royalties. The lawsuit was settled with Sony giving them their own record label, Open Wide Records, to allow the trio to have more control of the music they put out.

Natalie practices Transcendental Meditation, a form of silent mantra meditation, developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

"We listen to the radio to hear what's cookin',
But the music ain't got no soul.
Now they sound tired but they don't sound Haggard,
They've got money but they don't have Cash.
They got Junior but they don't have Hank.
I think, I think, I think, the rest is,
A long time gone."

On March 10, 2003, during a London concert, nine days before the 2003 invasion of Iraq, lead vocalist Natalie Maines told the audience: "We don't want this war, this violence, and we're ashamed that the President of the United States (George W. Bush) is from Texas," which garnered a positive reaction from the British audience but led to public protests and boycotts in the United States.

"The moon is full but my arms are empty
All night long how I've pleaded and cried
You always said the day that you would leave me
Would be a cold day in July"

When asked about Toby Keith's song "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue" in an interview, Maines said, "It's ignorant, and it makes country music sound ignorant." The pair sparred publicly, and Keith began using a photo of Maines with Saddam Hussein on tour. Maines responded by wearing the infamous "FUTK" shirt to the Academy of Country Music Awards. Although a spokesperson for the Dixie Chicks said that the acronym stood for "Friends United in Truth and Kindness", many, including awards host Vince Gill, took it to be a shot at Keith.

The Court Yard Hounds, formed in 2009 when Martie and Emily wanted to return to the studio but Natalie was still reluctant to do so, feature Emily for the first time as lead vocalist.