Court Yard Hounds were an American country music and folk duo, founded by sisters Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer.

The statement offended their core fan base who thought it rude and unpatriotic, and the ensuing controversy cost the group half of their concert audience attendance in the United States and led to accusations of the three women being un-American, as well as hate mail, death threats, and the public destruction of their albums in protest.

[3] The group followed a small hiatus with a live album and a documentary highlighting the maelstrom created by Maines' comment entitled Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing.

The Dixie Chicks released Taking the Long Way in 2006 which has since sold over 3 million copies and ultimately won five Grammy Awards.

[6] Their first public appearance as Court Yard Hounds was on March 18, 2010 at the Americana Music Association's SXSW showcase in Austin, Texas.