DIXIE CHICKS' Natalie Maines to Play Deer Valley Resort, 7/30

Natalie Maines, best known as the lead singer of the Dixie Chicks, makes her debut performance on her first-ever solo tour in the St. Regis Big Stars, Bright Nights concert series on Tuesday, July 30. On hiatus from her band's well-known bluesy country sound, Maines fills Deer Valley Resort's Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater with her own brand of alternative rock. Opening for the Grammy Award-winning artist is Park City's own Mary Beth Maziarz. Concert starts at 7 p.M. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.

Maines, who is slated to perform at festivals this summer with the chart-topping, country-rock Dixie Chicks, released her first solo album Mother in May. The album is co-produced by Ben Harper and filled with rock-inflected covers, such as Pink Floyd and Eddie Vedder, as well as a few hits from her Dixie Chicks repertoire. As a whole, the album is a departure from the country style that propelled Maines and her band to stardom a decade ago. The New York Times describes it as "an album of polished but rootsy rock, built on a band playing together in real time..."

And critics are meeting the new sound with praise. "...Her fearlessness blends with her compassion, wisdom and stunning vocal chops," says NPR of Maines' solo debut. That fearlessness - both artistic and political - has created controversy for the 38 year-old, singer-songwriter in the past. And that fiery passion makes its way into her music and performance.

"This concert is a unique opportunity to see and hear an incredible artist venturing into a different sound. Natalie Maines is launching her public side of her solo career on this night in Park City with us. Her Grammy award-winning talent and enormous stage presence, promises one of those, 'you should have been there,' kind of evenings," says PCPAF executive director Teri Orr.

Park City-based Mary Beth Maziarz opens the show with her sweet and soulful vocals. The ASCAP award-winning, singer-songwriter-pianist has released seven albums; and 50 of her songs have appeared on the soundtracks of popular television shows, such as "Dawson's Creek" and "Party of Five." The author of a book entitled "Kick-Ass Creativity -- An Energy Makeover for Artists, Explorers, and Creative Professionals," Maziarz leads creativity workshops in addition to her musical career.

All St. Regis Big Stars, Bright Nights concerts take place at Deer Valley Resort's Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater. Lawn and reserved tickets as well as summer season punch cards are available at the Box Office at The Mega Genius Supply Store and IQ HQ (435 Swede Alley, Park City), via phone at 435-655-3114 or online at www.ecclescenter.org. Lawn tickets are also available at Deer Valley Signature & Etc. stores and The King's English Bookshop (Salt Lake City). Discounted tickets are available for children (under age 16) as well as seniors (age 62 and older).