The Dixie Chicks change their name over backlash
The group has posted a statement on their website which reads: "We want to meet this moment."
Thursday 25 June 2020 23:34, UK
The Dixie Chicks have changed their name to The Chicks.
The American country group appeared to make the change following criticism of the use of the word Dixie, which often refers to the southern states of the US that broke away around 1860 to form the new Confederate States of America.
The band's social media accounts and website have changed to reflect the new branding.
A statement on their website read: "We want to meet this moment."
The Chicks also released a video for their new song, March March, which features videos and images from the recent Black Lives Matter rallies.
The name switch follows a similar move by the band formerly known as Lady Antebellum, who changed their name to Lady A after acknowledging the word's association to slavery.
Lady A said at the time: "Our hearts have been stirred with conviction, our eyes opened wide to the injustices, inequality and biases black women and men have always faced and continue to face everyday."
The Chicks - made up of Natalie Maines, Emily Strayer and Martie Maguire - have recognised their new name was already in use by a band in New Zealand.
"A sincere and heartfelt thank you goes out to 'The Chicks' of NZ for their gracious gesture in allowing us to share their name," they said.
"We are honoured to co-exist together in the world with these exceptionally talented sisters."
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The Grammy-winning band have been outspoken on politics previously, even being shunned by country radio and fans when lead singer Maines publicly denounced former US president George W Bush before the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
They responded by releasing the song Not Ready to Make Nice, and later swept the Grammys in 2007 by winning three of the top all-genre categories.
The Chicks are the best-selling female group in America, with more than 33 million albums sold in the country, according to the Recording Industry Association of America.
Next month, they are releasing their first new album in 14 years.