Why were The Dixie Chicks cancelled? 'Ongoing illness' ravages controversial country group's tour
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The renowned Dallas-based country group, The Chicks (formerly known as The Dixie Chicks), are facing hurdles in their touring journey, amid their resolute efforts to bounce back. The toll of an ongoing illness has led them to make changes to their schedule. They took to Instagram on Tuesday, August 1, to announce the cancellation of one tour stop and the rescheduling of another.
The show that was originally planned for Wednesday, August 2, at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, has been postponed to September 20. Their upcoming show at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, New York, originally set for Thursday, August 3, has been canceled. The decision was made to prioritize their health and well-being, and fans are being understanding of the situation as the group takes the necessary time to heal.
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'The Chicks' reschedule tour due to 'ongoing illness'
'The Chicks' have also made adjustments to other shows, including postponing the July 27 show at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville to September 23, rescheduling the July 30 show at Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, South Carolina to August 8, and shifting the July 29 show at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee to September 21.
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The group added, "All tickets for Merriwether Post Pavilion will be honored at the rescheduled date," asking fans to "contact [their] point of purchase" for more details. The post continued, "For ticket buyers at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, no action is required as refunds will be automatic." "If tickets were purchased at the Box Office, ticket buyers will have the ability to receive their refund in person. All other purchasers should contact their original point of purchase for a full refund," the group added. The group issued similar statements on their Instagram over the past few days issuing delays and postponements to their tour, citing an unspecified "illness."
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Why were The 'Dixie' Chicks canceled?
In March 2003, The Dixie Chicks, as they were then called, found themselves in the eye of a storm when they publicly criticized President George W Bush and his impending invasion of Iraq. The lead singer, Natalie Maines, expressed her shame to be from the same state as Bush and voiced her opposition to the war during a concert in London as part of their Top of the World Tour. At that time, the band was one of the most popular country acts in America.
Maines' statement sparked a fierce backlash from their predominantly right-wing American country audience who supported the war. Many country radio stations blacklisted The Chicks, leading to a decline in music sales and concert attendance, and they faced death threats and criticism from fellow country musicians. Corporate sponsorships were also withdrawn, per Billboard.
Following the uproar, Maines issued an apology, but later in 2006, she withdrew it, stating that she felt President Bush deserved no respect. The incident was compared to the backlash that John Lennon faced in 1966 when he remarked that The Beatles were more popular than Jesus. A documentary titled 'Shut Up and Sing' covered the controversy in 2006. 'The Chicks' responded to the criticism with the release of their single 'Not Ready to Make Nice', addressing the situation head-on. Despite the challenges, their stance and its aftermath have influenced subsequent country artists, including Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert, and Kacey Musgraves.