Dixie Chicks: Not Ready to Make Nice

Steve Kroft Profiles Controversial Country Band

(CBS) 
"It was definitely scary 'cause it seemed so, it wasn't just somebody wantin' to write a hate letter. It was somebody who obviously thought they had a plan," says Maines.

Maines says the police, the FBI and the Texas Rangers knew about the threat. "We flew in on a jet. We got ready in San Antonio and then flew in on a jet and we went straight from the police cars to the stage — and straight from the stage back to the police cars and back to the plane. So, you know, it was all surreal. But at that stage, everything was surreal," she remembers.

"Thank goodness nothing happened. But we, Martie and I, joke that we stayed in the round last tour so we were in this huge — a lot of real estate to cover onstage. So Martie and I just stayed as far away from Natalie as possible," Robison says, laughing. "Kidding, of course."

In fact, Emily and Martie could not be more supportive of their lead singer. They share her politics, and back up her candor — even when she disses country music, which has been their bread and butter.

"I've never pretended to be country to the core," says Maines, laughing. "I've always been very honest about my influences and where I came from."

"Isn't that kind of biting the hand that feeds you?" Kroft asked.

"I don't think so. I think it's honest which I never have a problem with," she replied.

Asked if ever said or wanted to say to Natalie to "shut up," Maguire says no. "I thought it was, I think it's great that she speaks her mind."

Instead of mending fences, they seem to be burning bridges, saying that too much of the country music audience fits a stereotype — a stereotype they say doesn’t apply to their fans.

"When I looked out in the audience, I didn't see rednecks," Maquire says with a chuckle. "I saw a more progressive crowd."

Maquire says she is not trying to say the country music audience is mostly rednecks. "But over the years, and especially, since country music's turned into this redneck theme, it's become kind of a negative," she says. "I think for a while, a lot of artists were doing a lot of great things. It was that were broadening the audience. So that country was cool. Because I always thought it was cool. So it makes me sad that it's kind of reverted back to a place that I'm not that proud of. And this is coming from a true country fan. I can't listen to the radio right now."

They are clearly trying to reposition themselves as a crossover group between country and rock, as their new album has plenty of rock-and-roll moments.

It is a risky strategy, but the Dixie Chicks don’t seem to care. They are betting on their talent, their music, and a loyal following of women from the cities and suburbs to carry them through, with no apologies required. Some think it’s their best album ever. The question is whether anyone will listen.

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The Dixie Chicks CD "Taking the Long Way" will be released on May 23, and look for them on tour this summer.