The Chicks celebrate twenty years of 'Taking the Long Way' with Hollywood concert series

The country music trio known as the Chicks performed their 2006 album 'Taking the Long Way' in its entirety during a three-night stand at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The tour marks the 20th anniversary of the record, which won five Grammy Awards including album, record, and song of the year.

Live Show Details

During the concerts, members Natalie Maines, Martie Maguire, and Emily Strayer sat on stools for an hour and a half to share stories and background details behind the album's creation. The band performed all 14 tracks from the record in their original running order. Several songs had not been played live in a decade or more, while the track 'Baby Hold On' was performed live for the first time on this tour.

Political Commentary

The shows coincided with the 2006 midterm elections and featured sharp remarks from Maines regarding political figures. Maines compared the current political climate to the backlash the band faced in 2003 after she criticized then-president George W. Bush during a London concert. She told the crowd she would now give Bush a big kiss and joked that the country is currently run by a deranged nutjob.

Context

The Chicks faced intense backlash and radio boycotts from the country music establishment following Natalie Maines' 2003 remarks about George W. Bush. Their 2006 album and its hit anthem 'Not Ready to Make Nice' emerged directly from that period of controversy and public hostility.