More details have emerged on the new project from two of the Dixie Chicks. Sisters Martie Maguire and Emily Robison will release a new album this May as the band Court Yard Hounds, which is a reference to the best-selling novel City of Thieves. The new group was formed as a result of Chicks lead singer Natalie Maines expressing a desire to stay out of the spotlight for a little while longer.

The new album features Emily's first-ever lead vocals, with many of the songs were inspired by her recent divorce from Charlie Robison. They recorded most of the project at Martie's home studio in Austin, Texas, and they'll debut their new band with a performance at South by Southwest in Austin this March. A tour will follow a few months later. Jakob Dylan of teh WAllflowers makes a guest appearance on the song "See You In the Spring."

As for the future of the Dixie Chicks, Martie and Emily insist they haven't broken up. Still, they rarely see Natalie Maines, who lives in L.A. Martie says, quote, "I'm hoping she'll come to one of our shows. Maybe it'll inspire her to want to do music again." The Dixie Chicks' last album, Taking the Long Way, was released in 2006.

I'm actually pretty darn excited to hear their new music!  Are you? ~Vanessa