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The Dixie Chicks' new album Taking the Long Way is appropriately titled, considering the winding route their tour has taken — particularly if you're in Houston. The Chicks have officially announced that they are cancelling a number of tour dates including the stop at the Toyota Center originally scheduled for Sept. 30.
Other cities on the tour that have had shows cancelled include Kansas City, Memphis, St. Louis and Knoxville; the band is pushing back the dates of shows in Nashville, Los Angeles, Denver and Phoenix, all due to lackluster ticket sales.
Country radio has been slow to get behind the new release, to say the least, becuase of protests from fans still angry with the group and comments made by frontwoman Natalie Maines about President Bush. The controversy started at a 2003 performance in London where Maines said the group was "ashamed" the president was from Texas, their home state. Despite the lack of airplay and struggling ticket sales, Taking the Long Way has done brisk business since it was released in May, particularly through online services like iTunes. The group has said it hopes to re-schedule some dates next year.
Besides touring and trying to stay out of trouble, the trio is out promoting the documentary "Dixie Chicks: Shut up and Sing," which will open at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.
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I know people who won't listen to the Dixie Chicks because of those comments made a few years ago. I also know people who never bought a Dixie Chicks CD until they made those comments, and now they're fans because of their political beliefs. Both actions are dumb -- listen to music for its artistry, who cares about their personal political beliefs.
That being said, it's a shame to see a band cancel a show before they even put tickets on sale. Why not downsize and have the show at a smaller (but still respectable) venue, like Verizon Wireless? It has to be greed.