SXSW 2013: Dixie Chick Natalie Maines Performs Solo as 'Mother' Singer Leaves other 2 Chicks Behind with her Controversial Past

The "Dixie Chicks" trio is currently down to one lone chick as the group's lead singer, Natalie Maines, attempts to fly solo at the SXSW festival. The "Mother" singer left her other two "chicks" behind when she nervously took the stage as a solo artist for one of the first times at Austin's "South by Southwest" on Wednesday, reports USA Today.

"It's been almost 10 years to the day that the Dixie Chicks spitfire slammed then-President George W. Bush and forever changed the fate and fortunes of the country superstars," AP reports. The lead vocalist is now trying to make a name for herself outside of her controversial past.

Country star Maines is now 38 and emerging as a solo artist for the first time in her career, while her former beloved band, "Dixie Chicks," remains on its hiatus since 2007. Maines' recent performance apparently lacked the "spunk" that the musician used to have back when her other 2 bandmates, Emily Erwin and Martie Maguire, were on stage to back her up, notes USA Today.

"We missed you, Natalie!" one fan hollered at the Austin City Limits Live hall.

Maines smiled but didn't banter back, reports AP.

"I ask myself, 'Why is that? What are you doing, girl?'" Maines told The Associated Press the next morning at a downtown Austin hotel. "I think right now I have so much to remember. This is the most guitar I've ever had to play."

She played for about an hour and - according to her website - the 10 songs matched, in order, the expected song list for Maines' new album Mother, due out May 7.

The Dixie Chick wasn't entirely solo in her Austin concert, states the Inquisitr. She was backed by a six-piece band that included guest guitarist Ben Harper, who helped produce Maines' solo effort. The new album tracks have more influence from rock than her normal country efforts, which critics said takes some getting used to.

Maines said she is embracing the chance to step out on her own and craft her own identity. When asked whether the Dixie Chicks will ever record new music together again, she reportedly "curled in her chair with tense energy and declined to predict."

AP reports:

When the Texas-born Maines told a London crowd at the start of the Iraq invasion she was ashamed to be from the same state as Bush, the Dixie Chicks became pariahs of the country music industry that vaulted them to stardom. Radio stations blackballed the Dixie Chicks from playlists and legions of fans turned their backs.

The Dixie Chicks stayed firm during the backlash, and released "Taking the Long Way" in 2006 that won five Grammys and was a best-seller despite being largely ignored by country radio. Maines now refers to the group as "tainted" but is still open to performing live with the Dixie Chicks.

The now solo artist Natalie Maines "has gained a Bieber 'do and her voice hasn't lost anything. It's strong, clear - and sorely missed," states USA Today.

Maine's confidence was also missed at her recent "lackluster" solo performance, which hopefully was just a warm-up round for the singer. We can only wait in anticipation to see if Natalie's new "Mother" album will win fans over by a "landslide."