The Dixie Chicks--all three of them--will be touring this summer, opening up for the Eagles on a month-long North American sweep.
This is the first time the trio has hit the road since 2006, when they were promoting their Grammy-winning release Taking The Long Way. Only a handful of dates have been announced, with the first being June 8 in Toronto.
There's no apparent conflict with Martie Maguire and Emily Robison's new project, Court Yard Hounds, which will be touring with the Lilith Fair this summer. In fact, the Court Yard Hounds' site is prominently announcing the Dixie Chicks' new tour dates.
Also joining the bill for most of the dates is Keith Urban--all in all, quite an interesting lineup. Tickets go on sale March 29.
Well, well, well. I'm most struck by the fact that these girls will be operating as an opening act for their debut back to live-rockin' society. It's no secret that the Dixie Chicks draw very divided opinions among music fans--just check this particular blog entry I wrote a while back if you don't believe me. And opening for the legendary Eagles isn't exactly small potatoes. However, it goes without saying that the group is superstar material in its own right, and certainly could have organized and headlined a tour of their own (I'm sure they'd have no problem finding spectacular opening acts to join them, either).
There is the matter of Martie and Emily's new project to consider, but I never got the vibe that the sisters intended it to compete in any way, shape, or form with their original band. The Court Yard Hounds are one thing--the Chicks a much bigger other thing--and they seem to be okay with that.
So, in a nutshell: Egos don't come small when you've won multiple Grammys and told off the President of the United States. Yet, a visit to the Dixie Chicks' official site delivers a splash page with the Eagles' logo--an enormous one--you have to scroll down to see "special guests the Dixie Chicks." It's all rather surreal to me. I can't decide if it's cooler than hell to be so humble, or kind of...Chick-en.
So--leaving it to you guys to tell me your thoughts. Why do you think the Dixie Chicks decided to tag along with the Eagles rather than hop on the road as headliners? Let me know what you think.
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