Posted on 08/08/2006 4:33:04 AM PDT by Pokey78
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Several concerts on the Dixie Chicks' "Accidents & Accusations" tour have been canceled after slow ticket sales, but the group says it has replaced them with other dates.
Kansas City, Houston, St. Louis, Memphis and Knoxville are among 14 cities no longer on the original schedule released in May, according to a revised itinerary posted Thursday on the Dixie Chick's Web site.
Other shows, including Nashville, Los Angeles, Denver and Phoenix, have been pushed back to later dates.
The North American leg of the tour kicked off July 21 in Detroit. Billboard magazine and other trade publications have reported lackluster sales in some markets, particularly in the South and Midwest.
Group spokeswoman Kathy Allmand said Monday that the total number of North American dates remains the same, with several Canadian cities added in place of the U.S. shows.
The trio released a statement last week attributing the changes to attempts to "accommodate demand" and said more dates might be added next year.
The group also said the adjustments will allow them to promote the documentary "Dixie Chicks: Shut up and Sing," for the Toronto International Film Festival in September.
"We hope that our fans who were looking forward to a stop that is no longer on the tour will be able to join us at a nearby arena this fall, and we are sorry for any confusion or inconvenience these changes have caused," the Dixie Chicks said.
Many country fans criticized the band after lead singer Natalie Maines told a London audience in 2003 on the eve of war in Iraq that the trio was "ashamed" President Bush was from their home state of Texas.
County radio stations dropped them from their playlists and have been slow to welcome them back, despite strong sales of their latest album, "Taking the Long Way."
The album, which has more of a rock edge than their previous releases, spent several weeks at the top of the country albums chart and has sold more than 1 million copies.
Reminds me of a Saturday Night Live skit where they had once-famous musicians playing live at a Days Inn lounge.
DIXIE CHICKS ANNOUNCEMENT BOOED AT CHRIS DAUGHTRY CONCERT IN GREENSBORO
DFU on the scene | 6-8-06 | Doug from Upland
Posted on 06/08/2006 6:51:40 PM PDT by doug from upland
Dateline: Greensboro, NC
American Idol star Chris Daughtry returned for a coming home celebration in McLeansville, North Carolina. On Saturday, June 3, he performed a few songs at the McLeansville shopping center and then with his band ABSENT ELEMENT at Jamieson Stadium in Greensboro.
But there is a part of the story that you probably didn't read. The show was hosted on stage by CLASSIC ROCK 92, an FM station in Greensboro.
Among the announcements made by the DJs was that they would be giving away tickets to the upcoming concert by the Dixie Chicks. When that announcement was made, there was substantial booing from the crowd. It was a pleasure to be there in person and hear it. Greensboro says no to fifth columnists.
(from THIS IS SPINAL TAP)
Marty: The last time Tap toured America, they where, uh, booked into 10,000 seat arenas, and 15,000 seat venues, and it seems that now, on the current tour they're being booked into 1,200 seat arenas, 1,500 seat arenas, and uh I was just wondering, does this mean uh...the popularity of the group is waning?
Ian: Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no...no, no, not at all. I, I, I just think that the.. uh.. their appeal is becoming more selective.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.