The Chicks launch 20th anniversary tour with full album

The Chicks opened their Taking The Long Way 20th Anniversary Tour on Wednesday night at Detroit’s Fox Theatre. The 16-date tour runs through Nov. 2. Detroit was where the original tour supporting the album started just over 20 years ago. Maines, Martie Maguire, and Emily Strayer are playing Taking the Long Way in its entire 14-song sequence for the first time in two decades.

The Bush remark and its fallout

The performance revisits a chapter defined by political controversy. In 2003, Natalie Maines bashed President George W. Bush during a London concert. "Just so you know, we’re ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas," she said. The remark led to a firestorm. Radio stations banned their music. There were public protests, record burnings, and death threats. The incident also sparked feuds with other artists, most notably Toby Keith. Maines later apologized but rescinded that apology three years after. She has since referred to the period as a very bizarre point in their career.

How the controversy shaped the album

The backlash directly inspired their seventh studio album. Producer Rick Rubin reached out after the incident. He asked if the band had something to say. The result was 2006's Taking the Long Way. It was a defiant artistic statement that became a massive success. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums charts. It was certified double-platinum. At the Grammy Awards, it won Album of the Year and Best Country Album. The single 'Not Ready to Make Nice' won Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

Tour production and performance details

The show treats the album recitation with careful arrangements and a clean sound mix. The three band members sit on an elevated riser, flanked by their six-member band. Video footage from the 2006 documentary Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing aids the performance. Unreleased backstage clips, including wrestling matches, were shown before the show. 'Not Ready to Make Nice' was performed as the third song. The audience was vociferously supportive, singing along throughout. After the full album, the band took a nearly 20-minute intermission without changing outfits. The concert then continued with another 40 minutes of greatest hits.

Personal stories behind the music

Band members shared intimate reflections between songs. Natalie Maines recalled writing 'Not Ready to Make Nice' with Dan Wilson. He asked if they wanted to write an apology song. Their response was bluntly negative. Martie Maguire said a woman who inspired the song's bridge later sent a sincere apology letter. Emily Strayer said they thought it was their most personal song, and it became an anthem for everyone. The full-album format revived tracks not played in at least a decade.

Stories from the recording sessions emerged. Martie Maguire, pregnant during the original sessions, spoke of napping in Mike Campbell's studio office. She saw a rolodex there with numbers for Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Eric Clapton but did not take any. For the Grammy-nominated track 'I Hope', the band initially wanted Slash for the guitar solo. He declined due to fee and credit demands. John Mayer, writing upstairs in the studio, agreed to play the solo instead. He was not bought lunch for his work. Proceeds from that single were donated to Hurricane Katrina relief. The performance of 'I Hope' was accompanied by a video celebrating children, para-athletes, dogs, the elderly, and icons like Gloria Steinem, Rosa Parks, and Dolly Parton. A tribute to Natalie Maines' father, Lloyd Maines, prompted Emily Strayer to declare, "Praise the Lloyd!" A video clip showed him defending the group after the Bush controversy. Natalie Maines described Rick Rubin's unique production style. She said Rubin is not a musician but excels at picking collaborators. He would hear demos and immediately instruct changes. Emily Strayer added that Rubin would challenge them if a song felt inauthentic. The tour continues through Nov. 2, with the band performing Taking the Long Way in full at each stop.