Exclusive: The Chicks to sing National Anthem at the DNC on Thursday

The Chicks will perform the National Anthem on Thursday night at the Democratic National Convention, multiple sources told CNN.

The Chicks will perform the National Anthem on Thursday night at the Democratic National Convention, multiple sources told CNN. The country music group – formerly known as the Dixie Chicks – are set to take the stage on the closing night of the DNC, to kick off the evening when Vice President Kamala Harris will make her speech. The Chicks performing at the National Anthem is a notable booking for the convention – not just because of country music’s historically conservative-leaning fanbases – but because of the band’s past that has infamously intertwined with politics. In 2003, before the invasion of Iraq, the band’s lead singer Natalie Maines said at a concert that the group, which got its start in Dallas, did not endorse the war and were “ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas.” Their remarks about then-President George W. Bush triggered boycotts and backlash from fans, resulting in country stations across the country pulling the group’s music from the radio. At the time, in March 2003, CNN reported that “station managers said their decisions were prompted by calls from irate listeners who thought criticism of the president was unpatriotic.” This will not be the first convention appearance for The Chicks, who also performed at the virtual 2020 DNC during the pandemic. Both of this year’s political conventions have made much more of a splash, returning to their large-scale, live and in-person formats. The DNC, in particular, has brought a revitalized Hollywood energy with a slew of celebrity appearances, performers, hosts and a lively music-filled roll call.