Eat Beef, Not Chicks!

The first time I saw the Dixie Chicks in concert was in 2003 on their Top of the World Tour. At the time, the United States had closed their border to Canadian beef, due to a BSE (mad cow disease) scare. I distinctly remember a fan in the audience enthusiastically waving a sign that read, "Eat Beef, Not Chicks!" During the concert, Natalie Maines, the Dixie Chick's lead singer, read the sign aloud-- and the crowd erupted in cheers.

Dixie Chicks: Cowboy Take Me Away

The last time I saw them was in 2006 on their Accidents & Accusations tour, after their infamous "...We're ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas" quote. What followed was a barrage of intense criticism, a boycott of the Dixie Chick's music, controversy and death threats. I even remember a period when the Dixie Chicks engaged in a feud with country singer Toby Keith (an outspoken supporter of President Bush). Natalie Maines wore a t-shirt through one of her concerts that said, "F.U.T.K." 

Natalie Maines (Photo Credit)

And now, ten years have passed since my first concert with the Dixie Chicks, and I found myself once again in the Saddledome stands, eagerly anticipating their music. This time there were no political statements or controversy. In the passing years, the Dixie Chicks have taken a break from music and raised families-- nine children between the three of them. On Thursday night, they played a steady stream of Dixie Chicks hits-- sung chronologically from 1998 to their last release in 2006.

Those ladies sure can sing! And play the banjo! And the violin! These three women are amazing musicians with indomitable spirits. I'm so glad that went on tour one last time.

Yay, Dixie Chicks!

Dixie Chicks: Good-Bye, Earl.