Simply put, don't mess with Dixie Chicks! Especially if you're Toby Keith.

The roots of the Dixie Chicks belong with the Erwin sisters Martie (born Oct. 12, 1969) and Emily (born Aug. 16, 1972). The two talented musicians grew up at bluegrass festivals and singing for spare change around Dallas in the late '80s.

The Erwin sister's earliest incarnation of the Dixie featured two additional members. It wasn't until lead singer Natalie Maines (born Oct. 14, 1974) joined the band and replaced the two others.

The Dixie Chicks made their major label debut in 1997 with Wide Open Spaces, which sold an incredible 12 million copies. In 1998, the Dixie Chicks won the Country Music Association's Horizon award (for new artists) and vocal group. In 1999, the title track was awarded CMA's single and video of the year after spending four weeks at No. 1. The Dixie Chicks also captured their second vocal group award. The Chicks scored Top 10 hits with "I Can Love You Better," "There's Your Trouble" and "You Were Mine," and they toured with the all-female Lilith Fair.

The Dixie Chicks' second album, Fly, would repeat the success of their debut, selling 9 million copies. It featured the hits "Ready to Run," "Cowboy Take Me Away" and "Without You." In 2000, the Dixie Chicks won vocal group, album and entertainer of year awards at the prestigious CMAs. The video of "Goodbye Earl" also won a CMA award. The album ultimately spawned six Top 10 singles. Natalie remarried in 2000 but kept her maiden name. Martie followed in 2001 and took her husband's last name, Maguire.

The Dixie Chicks' also dominated the The Grammys, winning best country album honors for Wide Open Spaces, Fly and 2002's acoustic Home.

The Dixie Chick's Home contained the hits "Long Time Gone," "Landslide" and "Travelin' Soldier." The Dixie Chicks won their 10th CMA award in 2002, for vocal group.

The came trouble during a London performance in April 2003, Natalie Maines let loose with, "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas." With war raging in Iraq and an unfinished job in Afghanistan, many Americans questioned the Chicks' patriotism and numerous country radio stations banned their music. "Travelin' Soldier," a No. 1 song at the time, vanished from the charts within two weeks.

Around this time, as well, Maines had been outspoken about Toby Keith's song "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)," calling it "ignorant" and that "anybody could write 'boot in your ass.'" Keith -- and his fans -- scolded Maines' comments.

To add fuel to feud, the Chicks were had a live performance feed piped into Academy of Country Music awards during a performance in Austin, Texas. Maines wore a T-shirt with the letters "F.U.T.K." The letters say it all. The Dixie Chicks finally moved passed this controversial stage in their career to release the double album, Top of the World Live in 2003.

Then came the Rick Rubin-produced album, Taking the Long Way, in 2006. "Not Ready to Make Nice," the first single and video, gained attention for confronting their reputation head-on and fans loved the Chicks no-holds-barred attitude.