Court Yard Hounds

Remarks singer Natalie Maines made about then-President of the United States George W. Bush sparked a vicious war between the Dixie Chicks and conservative Americans -- many of whom were fans of the band. When the trio won a Grammy for their country-radio-boycotted album Taking the Long Way, many felt Maines was exonerated and the group would pick up and go about their business. But by 2009, the girls were no closer to new material, and when Emily Robison's nine-year marriage ended, she felt compelled to write music. When her sister Martie Maguire heard her songs, she opted in, and Court Yard Hounds were born. In 2010, the duo released their self-titled debut, a breezy folk-pop record full of sisterly harmonies and chiming acoustic guitars.