Court Yard Hounds, the new duo teaming Emily Robison and Martie Maguire, has required the sisters to do some minor re-evaluations of their roles.

They are, after all, performing without the services of Natalie Maines, the lead singer in their primary band, the Dixie Chicks. Someone had to step in and take the lead vocal with the Hounds, and Emily got the gig.

“I’ve got to open my eyes more,” she told Canwest News Service. “Especially when I’m with the Chicks, when I sing harmony I tend to close my eyes to hear my notes, but as the lead singer I don’t feel like I’m connecting as much with the audience. I try to keep my eyes open now and learn how to have focus with my eyes.”

The Hounds’ first album came out Tuesday, and it’s being accompanied by a load of touring this summer. They’ve got a number of dates on the Lilith Fair Tour, but they’ve also got some stadium shows coming next month when the Chicks — including Natalie — come together with the Eagles and, on most dates, Keith Urban.

Emily and her singing may be the center of attention during the Hounds dates, but it doesn’t mean she’ll be challenging Natalie for some solo spots during those Chicks gigs.

“I have noooooo intention of singing next to Natalie Maines,” Emily said. “To me, it’s a totally different animal, and I like our chemistry and the way we do things in the Dixie Chicks as far as the role I play. I wouldn’t want to mess up that chemistry just because we’re doing this.”

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