Singer-Songwriter & Activist; Best Known for the Chicks; LGBTQ+ Ally & Rights' Advocate

Los Angeles, CA, USA
Live Event: Please Contact Virtual Event: Please Contact More Fee Info

Natalie Maines Biography

Natalie Maines is an American singer-songwriter and activist recognized as the lead vocalist of the Chicks, a prominent act in country music. After leaving Berklee College of Music, Maines was recruited by the Dixie Chicks to replace their lead singer, Laura Lynch. Sony Nashville selected her as lead vocalist after reviewing her audition tape, recorded with assistance from her father, steel guitarist Lloyd Maines. Her robust, raspy delivery and straightforward persona shifted the group’s dynamic toward a more pop-oriented country sound. The band became a multi-platinum selling act in North America, Europe, and Australia, selling more than $100 million in ticket sales and over 40 million CDs, becoming the biggest-selling female band of all time in the United States.

With Maines as lead singer, the Chicks released a series of albums that redefined country music. The album "Wide Open Spaces" became a sensation in country music, selling over 12 million copies in the United States and earning the band the Horizon Award from the Country Music Association. The follow-up album "Fly" produced eight hit tracks. Maines co-wrote six songs for the Chicks’ next three albums, including the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart number one hit "Without You" on "Fly." With Maines as lead vocalist, the band earned 10 Country Music Association Awards and 13 Grammy Awards.

Maines’s career took a dramatic turn when, during a London concert on the eve of the Iraq War, she publicly criticized President George W. Bush. The remark triggered a backlash in the United States, and the Dixie Chicks were blacklisted by thousands of country radio stations while the band members received death threats. Ticket and CD sales suffered, and the backlash was documented in the film "Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing." The band channeled the experience into their album "Taking the Long Way," which was largely self-written and overseen by rock producer Rick Rubin. Two of its three singles — "Not Ready to Make Nice" and "Taking the Long Way Around" — directly addressed the controversy. The album won five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. Maines was a primary songwriter on all 14 tracks of the album.

Beyond her work with the Chicks, Maines has demonstrated range as a solo artist and activist. She released a solo album entitled "Mother," co-produced by Ben Harper, which included her interpretations of songs by Pink Floyd, Eddie Vedder, and Jeff Buckley. The album displayed her versatility, shifting from country to rock. As lead singer for the Chicks, she has won 13 Grammy Awards and sold over 30 million albums worldwide. Maines has used her platform to advocate for social justice, including supporting the West Memphis Three case by speaking at public rallies, participating in interviews, performing at benefit concerts, and joining the Proclaim Justice board to address wrongful convictions.

Maines and the Chicks have continued to evolve both musically and culturally. Along with Emily Strayer and Martie Maguire, Maines changed the group’s name to the Chicks, shedding the word "Dixie" due to its affiliation with the antebellum South. The group released the album "Gaslighter," which received critical acclaim and addressed personal and political themes. The Chicks also performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the Democratic National Convention. The Chicks have remained a significant voice in both country music and social issues, with Maines being an outspoken advocate for women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and social justice causes.

BOOK Natalie Maines

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 05/21/2026.

Natalie Maines Videos

JD Eats His Way Around L.A. Including Dinner at Natalie Maines' House

JD Eats His Way Around L.A. Including Dinner at Natalie Maines' House

Around L.A. Including Dinner at Natalie Maines' House.

Natalie Maines on Why the Chicks Dropped “Dixie” From Their Name

Natalie Maines on Why the Chicks Dropped “Dixie” From Their Name

Natalie Maines tells Howard Stern how the the Chicks got their name and explains why they decided to drop “Dixie.

Natalie Maines - She's Got A Way - Billy Joel

Natalie Maines - She's Got A Way - Billy Joel

  • How do I book Natalie Maines to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Natalie Maines for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Natalie Maines, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Natalie Maines or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Natalie Maines

    Speaking fees for Natalie Maines, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Natalie Maines are available upon request for live events and available upon request for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Natalie Maines, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Natalie Maines speak about?

    Natalie Maines is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Civil Rights, Family & Parenting, Feminism, Influential Women, Inspirational, LGBTQ, Music, Reproductive Rights, Social Activism, Women's Rights
  • Where does Natalie Maines travel from?

    Natalie Maines generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Natalie Maines’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Natalie Maines for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Natalie Maines for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Natalie Maines or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

Natalie Maines is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Natalie Maines for your event is available upon request. Natalie Maines generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Rebecca Walker, Eileen Pollack, Robin Morgan, Jane Fonda and Lindsay Ell. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Natalie Maines for an upcoming live or virtual event.

Tell us about your event!

During normal business hours, we respond to most inquiries within 4 hours.
Please Select Event Budget
Please enter your message
Please Enter Your Name
Please Enter Your Email
  • Customized Service

    Our agents find the right fit for your event

  • Unparalleled Database

    Full access to all speakers & celebrities

  • One Stop Shopping

    A reliable and unbiased point of contact

  • Logistics Management

    Your personal Logistics Manager who takes care of all event details

This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

TOP