Dixie Chicks tour struggling.

[Luv'sTink]

They are getting what they wanted, they wanted a "few really cool fans" and they are getting it, a small audience.

I didn't care for them when they started out. I do like a few of their songs but I never could see what was so special about them. Just my opinion of the DC.

 

[Cass]

I'd say if you think 50 bucks is nothing for a ticket, you are a little out of touch with what a normal person can afford.

50.00 is nothing. I could spend that much on snacks/tickets for the kids at the movies.

 

[txSleepingBeauty]

well, since the Houston show has in fact been canceled, I'll be buying tickets to the Austin show tomorrow morning. Hopefully instead of completely missing Houston, they'll change to a smaller more intimate venue and then I can see them twice!!

for all the people who are ticked about the fan comments, it makes sense to me. Like any group their musical style has evolved. the irony is that their "country" fans wouldn't like this cd anyway (although I think it's their best yet). Chances are if you're a Toby fan you'd hate this cd, so why waste your time or money on it.

 

[Cass]

I can't speak for the US, but here where I am in Toronto they are very popular and their new song is #1 on the chart.

I am not really into country music but I think they are very talented.

 

[kayeandjim00]

I agree this is my favorite CD of them all. I think that it's a type of music that will be harder to pigeon hole into country or pop. A lot of people have compared it to Rumors from Fleetwood Mac and I totally agree. Not to mention every song is so personal. I think that it really will connect with their fan. I can take or leave Toby or Reba McIntyre for that matter but I love the Chicks Small venue or large I want to see them!

 

[disneyfan67]

Jimmy Buffett as well, but he's political on his own time, never in a concert.

You know that's what I was trying to get my point across on the last Dixie Chick thread. My disgust of them comes down to how they they treat their fan base and country fans in general. I told a poster on that thread that your job as an entertainer is to entertainand that it was unfair to Sony Nashville who signed them and spent considerable money to promote them. Man, did that bring out the comments and my take on the music business didn't set too well with some on that thread. It looks like my business sense is pretty acurate after all. What's so hard about treating your fans with respect?


You can defend the "Chicks" and what they have said then and now, until the cows come home. The fact still remains that if you can't sell out an arena in Nashville and you're a big country act, you got troubles. You can't crap on your customers or fan base and expect good things. As I said in the last thread, it's Business 101. I wonder what has been said in the office's of Sony Nashville, concerning the "Chicks" and this latest news.

 

[kayeandjim00]

The fact remains that they no longer want to be considered a country act. I heard a comment that Martie made about them not really fitting in between "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" however you spell that made up word and "Tequilla Makes Her Clothes Fall Off" and she's right. Their new CD is heads and shoulders above the crap that country music plays these days.

 

[eclectics]

I think people who disagree with the President should be put to death . I mean, come on. The venom is kind of laughable. They're a music group not a terrorist cell. And the irony is they don't give a tiny little rat's behind what you think of them!

 

[wide awake]

I haven't read the whole thread, but...if you are an entertainer...ENTERTAIN...I don't care about your political beliefs...you have no expertise...so you can sing, big deal, I wouldn't listen to an athlete, actor, etc...I don't talk to you , you could be dumb as a box of rocks...if you don't like public policy figure out a better way to change it than spouting off...while you're on tour yet !

 

[disneyfan67]

I think people who disagree with the President should be put to death . I mean, come on. The venom is kind of laughable. They're a music group not a terrorist cell. And the irony is they don't give a tiny little rat's behind what you think of them!

I don't think the lack of people buying tickets is still because of the GWB comments. It may factor into it but not as much as it did 3 years ago. As I told you and a few others on the last thread, the we don't want "Reba or Toby Keith fans" was an asanine thing to say, for a country act. Country fans were just comming around to them again and the latest salvo from the "Chicks" didn't help matters. What's the next bombshell from their mouths going to be? Are they going to tell Nascar fans not to listen to their music either. Maybe they should tell people who ever voted for a Republican, that they aren't welcomed either. LOL! (sarcasm)

Your comment above that's bolded is a perfect example of why ticket sales are slow. You can not keep being rude to your fans, radio station DJ's that play your music, and anyone else you see fit to piss off and expect to stay in business. The real world of business doesn't work that way, unless you're run by the goverment.

 

[crazy4disney01]

Glad to hear they are having troubles.

I don't understand why back in 2003 the comment about the president was made and then later an apology was given. Then they take 3 years off to have children, now 2006 they made a CD and take back the apology, first song is "Not Ready to Make Nice," and dragging up all the crap that happened 3 years ago. Did they really think that they would do well?

I saw part of the show when they were on Larry King and they came off as arrogant and better than everyone it made me want to gag.

Maybe one day, they will all be shopping and they won't have the $$ to buy something and look at Natalie and say "you should have kept your mouth shut, now I can't buy this designer shirt." Then the next song will be "I'm ready to make nice, I've gotta buy this Ralph Lauren shirt."

Don't flame me, I'm just !!!

 

[roseprincess]

Maybe one day, they will all be shopping and they won't have the $$ to buy something and look at Natalie and say "you should have kept your mouth shut, now I can't buy this designer shirt." Then the next song will be "I'm ready to make nice, I've gotta buy this Ralph Lauren shirt."

Too funny, but probably true!

 

[robertsmom]

Pop Daddy, you are so right! Country music is about America, Mom and Apple Pie. Even the cover of Time Magazine couldn 't give them the boost they had hoped for. They may reach a cross over audience but Toby Keith will beat them at the box office every time, and for the reasons you stated.

So will Reba!

 

[Cass]

But not all shows on this tour are below projections. "We're happy (with our on-sale) and comparatively seem to be ahead of most," says John Page, Global Spectrum COO/GM at Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, where the trio is booked for July 25. A second date was added for the Air Canada Center in Toronto, where the first show sold out in eight minutes. "Canada loves the Chicks," says ACC booking director Patti-Ann Tarlton.

I guess so!

 

[roseprincess]

I didn't read most of the posts, but it doesn't surprise me that their tour is struggling. They need to grow up and not be political on stage! If they want to show off their politics, they should go on The View or battle it out on Hannity and Colmes. I would love to see a nice battle between Natalie Maines and Sean Hannity, and see Sean Win!! Just would be too funny!

 

[eclectics]

I don't think the lack of people buying tickets is still because of the GWB comments. It may factor into it but not as much as it did 3 years ago. As I told you and a few others on the last thread, the we don't want "Reba or Toby Keith fans" was an asanine thing to say, for a country act. Country fans were just comming around to them again and the latest salvo from the "Chicks" didn't help matters. What's the next bombshell from their mouths going to be? Are they going to tell Nascar fans not to listen to their music either. Maybe they should tell people who ever voted for a Republican, that they aren't welcomed either. LOL! (sarcasm)

Your comment above that's bolded is a perfect example of why ticket sales are slow. You can not keep being rude to your fans, radio station DJ's that play your music, and anyone else you see fit to piss off and expect to stay in business. The real world of business doesn't work that way, unless you're run by the goverment.

That's the point. They don't seem to want their old conservative leaning fans back at all. They want fans that don't care about their political leanings. So why all the fuss and brooh ha ha? They don't care, so why do the country folks? So why don't the country fans just let them do their thing and I'm sure they will return the favor. Btw, I have not heard any public comment of disappointment at all from any of the Chicks about the success, or lack there of, concering their concert tour.

 

[Gary M]

Looks like they may leave the USA this summer according to article below.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.d...TERTAINMENT/606090460&SearchID=73247183511863

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

Good article. Thanks!

 

[Planogirl]

I don't know about this year so far to be honest but ticket sales were down last year. There were several articles about this including this one dated January, 2006:

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) – The concert business, like the rest of the music industry, has fallen on tough times during the past few years.

Sure, total revenue from the top 100 tours in North America did increase last year. According to figures from concert tracking firm Pollstar, revenue in North America was $3.1 billion in 2005, up from $2.8 billion in 2004.

The Rolling Stones grossed $162 million during their 2005 tour, making them the top concert act of the year. But at an average ticket price of $133.98, we hope fans did always get what they wanted.

U2 pulled in nearly $140 million during their 2005 tour, placing them second to The Rolling Stones.

But the main reason behind the increase was the fact that tickets for the most popular shows continued to get more expensive. The average ticket price for the top 100 tours last year was $57, up from $52.39 a year ago.

Actual attendance declined by 4 percent, with the top tours selling 36.1 million tickets in 2005, compared to 37.6 million lighter-wielding concert-goers ("Freebird!") a year earlier. That's the second year in a row that attendance was down.

Then the article goes on to talk about upcoming dates.

I've seen many articles like this over the past few years with 2005 said to be down almost across the board and 2004 down from the year prior as much as 25%. It sounds like the top acts still do well but smaller acts have had problems. The Dixie Chicks might have of course been one of those bigger acts at one time.

 

[beattyfamily]

That's the point. They don't seem to want their old conservative leaning fans back at all. They want fans that don't care about their political leanings. So why all the fuss and brooh ha ha? They don't care, so why do the country folks? So why don't the country fans just let them do their thing and I'm sure they will return the favor. Btw, I have not heard any public comment of disappointment at all from any of the Chicks about the success, or lack there of, concering their concert tour.

That may be true but they also lost some Southern country music lovin Democrats with their Reba and Toby comment. There actually are Democrats who love country music who were insulted by the recent comment.