To all the Dixie Chicks naysayers - EAT THIS!

[paularoid]

http://www.capitolhillblue.com/content/2006/05/dixie_chicks_get_their_revenge.html

Dixie Chicks get their revenge
May 31, 2006 02:06 PM / Media .

The Dixie Chicks, whose country career tanked after lead singer Natalie Maines, just before the start of the Iraq, offered an apology to a London audience because George W. Bush was from their home state of Texas, have the best revenge: A new album that opened at No. 1 on the charts.

From a press release issued by the group:

As Taking The Long Way debuts at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 best-selling albums chart this week, with first week's sales of 525,829, the Dixie Chicks have become the first female group in chart history to have three albums debut at #1, breaking the record the Chicks established in 2002 when the group's last studio album, Home, debuted at #1 and made them the first female group ever to have two albums debut at #1.

With the #1 debut of Taking The Long Way, the Dixie Chicks have also become the first female group in chart history to have three studio albums occupy the #1 slot on the Top 200.

Taking The Long Way has achieved one of the year's Top 5 first week's sales tallies and has the best first week's sales for any female act on the Top 200 in 2006.

In addition to its chart-topping success in America, Taking The Long Way has just debuted at #2 in Australia.

Taking The Long Way arrives in the midst of an incredible media blitz surrounding the Dixie Chicks, who were honored with a profile on CBS's "60 Minutes" and appeared on the cover of Time magazine an unprecedented two times in May. The group was featured in a five-part series of interviews, culminating with an SRO live concert at New York's Bryant Park on Friday, May 26, on ABC's "Good Morning America." The Dixie Chicks will sit down for an in-depth interview on "Larry King Live" tonight, Wednesday, May 31.

The popular success of Taking The Long Way is echoed in the praise the album is receiving from the press, which has been heralding the record in a flurry of four-star reviews. "Taking The Long Way embraces the depth and fury of classic rock while remaining true to the trio's Texas roots," raved Rolling Stone while USA Today called the album "Incredibly impressive."

Entertainment Weekly gave the new Dixie Chicks album an "A" grade saying, "Fightin' words and the music doesn't back down either, on an album that finds the Dixie Chicks bolder than ever. With (Natalie) Maines projecting more passionately than ever, Taking The Long Way remains intimate and personal."

"This is an album that has something for everyone," said The New York Times, "old fans who thought the Dixie Chicks were at their finest in their fancy-free early days as well as recent admirers who are eager to see the band push beyond the confines of country."

Rolling Stone closed its review of the album with a nod to the new Dixie Chicks single, "If you've dismissed the Chicks or need a new reason to love them, the epic, howling longing of 'Voice Inside My Head' will blow away your expectations."

The record-breaking chart-topping success of Taking The Long Way is the latest in a long line of achievements for the Dixie Chicks. With 39 RIAA gold, platinum and multi-platinum certifications to their credit, the Dixie Chicks are the only female group to hold two RIAA Diamond Awards (each for sales of more than 10 million units).

A just reward for a group that told it like it is and paid the price for honesty.
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[ponytail]

All right. You go, girls!

[AceOn6]

Although I represent only one of those units, I'm proud to say I own this, FINB, and Springsteen's We Shall Overcome. Now, I need to add Neil Young's Living with War. Gotta keep putting my money where my mouth is.

[Melba]

Revenge is sweet.....more power to them.

Aceon6, I need to add Mr. Springsteen's latest to my list as well, but my sweetie did give me the Chicks for my birthday last week. I love the whole CD! We are going to try to attend a concert.:D

[Wildflower Fever]

Yes, and I'm proud to state that they had some assistance from some fine Minnesota musicians (one of which is a personal friend) as advisors to mainstream their sound. Gary Louris of the Jayhawks, and Dan Wilson of Semisonic played a large part in this album.:)

[david uk]

well done Dixie Chicks- I've never heard their music tho I have heard of them... may have to take a peek...

[MadMusician]

A just reward for a group that told it like it is and paid the price for honesty.

Are groups with unpopular views hailed for their honesty?

What a musician thinks doesn't influence my music choices. Other than my feelings when hearing the lyrics to his/her music. I wouldn't buy a song that demanded that we 'kill all the dogs'.

The Dixie Chicks weren't very political until Natalie's outburst. I didn't stop listening to the Chicks or play them more. I'll buy the album if I like it. I also didn't change my listening behavior with regard to Toby Keith - one of their biggest critics. Why would I give their viewpoint any more weight than the 'man on the street'?

[Wildflower Fever]

Are groups with unpopular views hailed for their honesty?

What a musician thinks doesn't influence my music choices. Other than my feelings when hearing the lyrics to his/her music. I wouldn't buy a song that demanded that we 'kill all the dogs'.

The Dixie Chicks weren't very political until Natalie's outburst. I didn't stop listening to the Chicks or play them more. I'll buy the album if I like it. I also didn't change my listening behavior with regard to Toby Keith - one of their biggest critics. Why would I give their viewpoint any more weight than the 'man on the street'?


I agree with your response of musical merit, and I wouldn't buy it just because of some protest controversy either. But, I respect that she made the remark at a time when the "sheep" gave the prez much higher approval ratings, thus risking a lot. I love Neil Young's current work, but he did this at a time where there will be less listener backlash. In 2003, Pearl Jam released "Bushleaguer", and Eddie Vedder wore a Bush mask on stage, finally proceeding to punch, kick, and headbutt the effigy on a mic stand. He was severely booed, and many people walked out. I think these instances are genuine when you consider the cost to the musicians. By the way, I thought it interesting when the chicks appeared on Larry King recently, and were asked about Toby Keith. They responded he has admitted to actually being a democrat, and he responded to the chicks the way he did to rally his musical base. Much like the current admin responding to every lunatic idea to rally their nutjob base. It's all "sales" in the world today.

[Melba]

Speaking as someone who has always dearly loved country music (for the most part), I can honestly say that I can't stand the ultra conservative views some listeners seem to have. Like, its all apple pie, mom, the flag and if you have any disagreements with anyone perceived as a good ole' boy/girl, then you are mud. Screw that point of view. I like the Chicks, but I liked them before they shared their view. Maybe I just like hot women who have a brain and common sense too. I can't stand Toby Keith....never was a real fan, and a lot of his songs are patriotic to the far extreme. Like lets toot our horns and we are bad asses. No wonder some other countrys have the view they have. We really dont' need to be painted as bullies on the international playground anymore than we are. Oh my...did I just get on a soapbox????:eek:

[paularoid]

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=peopleNews&storyID=2006-06-07T230800Z_01_N07224908_RTRIDST_0_PEOPLE-DIXIE-DC.XML

Dixie Chicks tour struggling in several markets
Wed Jun 7, 2006 7:08pm ET

By Ray Waddell

NASHVILLE (Billboard) - Initial ticket sales for the Dixie Chicks' upcoming tour are far below expectations and several dates will likely be canceled or postoned.

Ticket counts for the 20-plus arena shows that went on sale last weekend were averaging 5,000-6,000 per show in major markets and less in secondaries, according to sources contacted by Billboard. Venue capacities on the tour generally top 15,000.

In contrast, the band's new album, "Taking the Long Way," sold 526,000 units in its first week, according to Nielsen Soundscan, the third-largest sales week of 2006. The album logged a second week in the period ended June 4, according to sales data issued Wednesday.

Despite those numbers, early ticket sales are clearly not meeting projections. The plug was pulled on public on-sales for shows in Indianapolis (August 23), Oklahoma City (September 26), Memphis (September 27) and Houston (September 30) because of tepid pre-sales in a national promotion with Target stores.

The Memphis show has been pulled off the route and the status of the shows in Indianapolis, Houston and Oklahoma City remains uncertain. Industry speculation has it that much or all of the tour may be postponed. At the very least, it is likely routing and capacity will be reconfigured.

Early ticket sales for this tour are in marked contrast to the Chicks' last proper outing in 2003 when a national on-sale moved some 867,000 tickets the first weekend, and second shows were added in several markets. The Chicks ended up with the top-grossing country tour of 2003 at $62 million.

But not all shows on this tour are below projections. "We're happy (with our on-sale) and comparatively seem to be ahead of most," says John Page, Global Spectrum COO/GM at Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, where the trio is booked for July 25. A second date was added for the Air Canada Center in Toronto, where the first show sold out in eight minutes. "Canada loves the Chicks," says ACC booking director Patti-Ann Tarlton.

After two shows in London, the North American tour was set to begin July 21 in Detroit. But with ticket sales below expectations, it is possible the route and capacities may be further reconfigured. The Chicks are managed by Simon Renshaw and booked by Rob Light at Creative Artists Agency, both of whom declined to comment.

Reuters/Billboard
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[AceOn6]

Boston's nearly sold out (natch). The only tix left are in the nosebleed sections or in the sections where the view will be partially blocked by the speaker towers.

[paularoid]

Someone close to me reported that an article in Time Magazine supposedly quoted or described Natalie as having been born middle finger first. :D

I'll see if I can dig it up somewhere. :p

Here it is. It's located at:

http://www.time.com/time/archive/preview/0,10987,1196419,00.html

The first line of the article is "Natalie Maines is one of those people born middle finger first." :D
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[Wildflower Fever]

The cities in that article with poor ticket sales don't surprise me at all. Especially, Texas, I expected a backlash, most of the others listed are pretty "red" areas. They'll pull through, you don't sell that many albums after an unpopular incident and fade into obscurity.

[paularoid]

Quite honestly I don't know as I will ever buy the thing myself either, and if I had the chance to go to one of their concerts I'm not sure I would. Not that I don't enjoy their music because I certainly do but I like their general attitude better. It's similar to Janis music. I like it but I don't own any "legitimate" Janis music. As a person and/or personality though she cannot be beat and that's the original reason I came by here and ended up staying a year or so ago. It was -not- for her music,... it was for the person.

By the way, I do own -one- Janis CD but it's one that I downloaded way back when I was into P2P activity that I gave up a long time ago. I don't even know which one it is and I've never played the thing,.. I just have it. I saw the one song of hers that affected me so deeply so many years ago (At Seventeen) and I grabbed it. I played it just enough to be sure it worked and I put it away. Don't get me wrong because I put Janis and her efforts right at the top section of my list but it's not her music that brought me here. Obviously I like it here because I've been here a while now. :p
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[Dee]

What is Dixie Chick please?



By the way, I do own -one- Janis CD but it's one that I downloaded way back when I was into P2P activity that I gave up a long time ago. I don't even know which one it is and I've never played the thing,.. I just have it. I saw the one song of hers that affected me so deeply so many years ago (At Seventeen) and I grabbed it. I played it just enough to be sure it worked and I put it away. Don't get me wrong because I put Janis and her efforts right at the top section of my list but it's not her music that brought me here. Obviously I like it here because I've been here a while now. :p

Hmmm. I think I understand what you meant :confused: but aren't you even a little curious to hear more than one Janis Ian CD?

[paularoid]

What is Dixie Chick please?


Hmmm. I think I understand what you meant :confused: but aren't you even a little curious to hear more than one Janis Ian CD?
I've got all the songs she offered up for free download, but quite honestly only one gets my jollies musically. To use extremes for emphasis, it's like Pavarotti and Liberace. They're both extremely accomplished musicians (to give credit where credit is due) but that doesn't mean that they are in the upper echelons of my musical listening tastes. I admire the artist(s) and appreciate the efforts and abilities but that doesn't mean that the product is such that it lies within the realms of my everyday preferences.

By the way a "Dixie Chick" is a member of the country(?) music group called "The Dixie Chicks".
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[Melba]

Go to The Dixie Chicks website. This week they have posted a paragraph saying that it is strictly rumor that they are cancelling a lot of shows and that their fanbase is still very strong....amen. :)

www.dixiechicks.com

[AceOn6]

The cynic in me is thinking that the recent press about poor sales is being fueled by the conservative media outlets. Fox is all over it, whereas ABC hasn't had a peep. Poor sales are relative, after all. Have the Chicks always sold out particular markets? If yes, then you might have a story. I think not.

[Dee]

The cynic in me is thinking that the recent press about poor sales is being fueled by the conservative media outlets. Fox is all over it, whereas ABC hasn't had a peep. Poor sales are relative, after all. Have the Chicks always sold out particular markets? If yes, then you might have a story. I think not.

And yet, now that I know what a "Dixie Chick" is, I find myself still indifferent. (No offence to any of their fans.)

[paularoid]

And yet, now that I know what a "Dixie Chick" is, I find myself still indifferent. (No offence to any of their fans.)
None take here. :p As I alluded before, I like their music but I'm not really that much of a fan of it. I'm a fan of their attitude more than anything else. I think -I- might have been "born middle finger first" as well,.... in case you hadn't noticed. :D
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