1989 -- Martie & Emily begin playing for tips on a Dallas street corner; debut club appearance at Poor David's Pub; Martie wins 3rd place at National Fiddle Championships

1990 -- debut independent CD Thank Heavens For Dale Evans (recorded for $5,000); Best Band prize at Telluride Bluegrass Festival; performances at Texas & Louisiana State Fairs (opening for Garth Brooks at latter); gigs at Starplex in Dallas (opening for Reba McEntire & George Strait); Kerrville Folk Festival, Longhorn Ballroom, Austin Opry House (opening for Emmylou Harris); performance with Bill Monroe & Doc Watson at Poor David's

1991 -- named Best Country Band by The Dallas Observer (they also win this honor in 1992, 1993 & 1994); Chicks' debut appearances on The Grand Ole Opry & TNN's Nashville Now; signed for booking by Buddy Lee Attractions on Music Row (the agency's only act without a recording contract); appearances on the national radio shows of Garrison Keillor & Riders In the Sky; ad jingle for McDonald's; the band adds a drummer; feature article in Elle magazine

1992 -- release 2nd independent CD Little Ol' Cowgirl; Natalie begins playing guitar & attends Berkelee School of Music; appearances at Fiesta Texas, American Music Shop on TNN, Dallas Cowboys halftime show, New Mexico State Fair

1993 -- Dixie Chicks play Presidential Inaugural; 3rd independently released CD Shouldn't a Told You; land Justin Boots endorsement deal & appear on posters; perform at Nashville's Summer Lights Festival, West Fest, National Cowgirl Hall of Fame, Dollywood, The Birchmere

1995 -- Natalie quits college & joins band as lead singer & guitarist; Dixie Chicks play the Texas Governor Inaugural Gala

1996 -- Dixie Chicks are scouted by Sony Music as the flagship act of the revived Monument Records label

1997 -- debut major-label single/video "I Can Love You Better;" showcase at Hastings Music convention in Nashville; industry showcase & label launch at The Ryman Auditorium

1998 -- Wide Open Spaces issued as The Dixie Chicks' Monument Records album debut

1999 -- Berklee College of Music gave Natalie Maines a scholarship, but she dropped out in 1995 to join the Dixie Chicks. When the Chicks won a Grammy in 1999, though, her status changed from "dropout" to "alumna". Check out the college's "News" story on the Grammys... but to be fair, they did note in a later paragraph that she left to join the Chicks "shortly after enrolling."

2000 --