{
  "id": 11129744,
  "title": "Ready to Play Nice: All The Notable Moments From The Chicks Tour Opener In Detroit",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/ready-to-play-nice-all-the-notable-moments-from-the-chicks-tour",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-01T06:50:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Billboard",
    "slug": "billboard",
    "url": "https://www.billboard.com/lists/the-chicks-notable-moments-tour-opener-detroit/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Chicks kicked off their Taking The Long Way 20th Anniversary Tour on September 30th at Detroit's Fox Theatre, exuding a mix of nerves and excitement. Natalie Maines, a member of the trio, acknowledged the tour as a reflection of a \"very bizarre point in our career,\" which stemmed from her controversial remarks about then-President George W. Bush in 2003. Her comments, made during the lead-up to the Iraq War, sparked backlash including radio blacklisting, public protests, record burnings, and death threats. Maines later apologized, but rescinded it three years later. The controversy heavily influenced the creation of their 2006 album, Taking the Long Way, which was co-written with a group of all-star producers. The result was a No. 1 album on both the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums charts, earning five Grammy Awards in the process. The tour, spanning 16 dates until November 2nd, features the full 14-song sequence of Taking the Long Way, supplemented with video footage from the 2006 documentary, Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing, and additional greatest hits. The performance was a journey down a not-always-pleasant memory lane, yet cathartic and ultimately triumphant.",
  "summary": "The Chicks launched their Taking The Long Way 20th Anniversary Tour in Detroit. Billboard was there to experience all the memorable moments.",
  "key_points": [
    "Chicks opened 20th anniversary tour on September 30 at Detroit Fox Theatre",
    "Natalie Maines addressed controversy from 2003 Bush remarks",
    "Tour featured full album Taking the Long Way and video footage"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}