Taking the bumpy way

June 8, 2006

By MARIO TARRADELL / The Dallas Morning News

Folks aren't buying tickets to the Dixie Chicks' upcoming Accidents & Accusations tour, yet the trio's new album, Taking the Long Way, continues to sell briskly.

The tour is struggling, with one date already cancelled and others in limbo. But the Dallas-formed band's critically acclaimed CD sold another 271,000 copies its second week in stores, according to Nielsen SoundScan, bringing its total sales to 797,000.

Initial ticket counts for the 20-plus arena shows that went on sale last weekend, including the Sept. 29 American Airlines Center date, were averaging 5,000 to 6,000 per show in major markets and fewer in smaller markets, according to Billboard.

Venue capacities on the tour generally top 15,000. About 18,000 people fit into Dallas' AAC during most concerts.

The 43-city trek, which opens July 21 in Detroit, is in trouble. Public sales for shows in Oklahoma City (Sept. 26), Memphis (Sept. 27) and Houston (Sept. 30) were scrapped due to tepid presales. The Memphis show was pulled off the route; the status of the Houston and Oklahoma City gigs remains uncertain. The tour may be rerouted.

Regarding the Dallas gig, a representative for American Airlines Center and the Chicks' Nashville publicist declined to comment on sales. As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, you could purchase up to eight tickets in section 110, the lower level just above the floor.

The Chicks' last proper outing, in 2003, moved about 867,000 tickets nationally the first weekend. Second shows were added in several markets. They ended up with the top-grossing country tour of 2003 at $62 million.

Some concert markets are doing well now, such as the July 25 show at Wachovia Center in Philadelphia and the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, where the show sold out in eight minutes.

Billboard.com contributed to this report.