Martie Seidel

Martie Seidel (nee Erwin) was born on October 12, 1969, in York, Pennsylvania. She started classical violin at the age of five, and later made the switch to country fiddling. At the age of twelve, she started playing in the kids' bluegrass band "Blue Night Express." Later she would found the Dixie Chicks with sister Emily and fellow Texas natives Robin Macy and Laura Lynch. Although Martie does not sing lead for the band, she still remains a strong presence. Her high harmonies blend in beautifully with the lead vocals of Natalie Maines, and her fiddle solos define what the Chicks' music is all about. Martie is also known for her songwriting. She co-wrote "You Were Mine" off the chicks first album, Wide Open Spaces with sister Emily and co-wrote the first two hit singles off Fly, "Ready to Run" and "Cowboy Take Me Away." Like Emily and Natalie, Martie plans to always play traditional country music, and says that music will always be in her life, whether she is songwriting or playing with the Dixie Chicks for years to come.