Dixie Chicks news: Natalie Maines solo album and tour coming in 2013

The Dixie Chicks have been laying low in recent years, but we could be hearing a lot more from them in 2013, particularly lead singer Natalie Maines, who has a solo album and tour in the works.

Maines has been revealing details of the album, and a planned tour, in a series of tweets. On Dec. 19, Maines tweeted “Happy Natalie Maines finished her album day everybody!” She later revealed the album’s title (“Mother”) and release date (May 7, 2013). She also announced via Twitter, “I’ll be doing a solo tour this summer.”

The album title is likely taken from the Pink Floyd cover song Maines recently recorded for the soundtrack album of the documentary “West of Memphis: Voices for Justice,” which hits stores Jan. 15. The film tells the story of three teenagers, dubbed the West Memphis Three, who were convicted of murdering three 8-year-old children and spent 18 years in prison while supporters protested their innocence. A portion of the album’s proceeds directly benefit the West Memphis Three.

Meanwhile, the Dixie Chicks have been announced as the July 13 headliners for Canada’s Craven Country Jamboree replacing Lady Antebellum, which had to cancel due to band member Hillary Scott’s pregnancy.

The festival is set for July 11-14 in Craven, Saskatchewan, and the other days’ headliners are Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw. Additional scheduled performers include Scotty McCreery, Phil Vassar, Brantley Gilbert, Sawyer Brown, Gloriana, High Valley, Randy Travis and Bill Anderson.

The Chicks are expected to play a greatest hits set at the festival. So far, it’s their only tour date announced for 2013.