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The Chicks are awesome live!
I've been fortunate enough to see the Chicks 17 times since June 1999.
Here's a look at where and when I've seen them:
June 6, 1999
Pittsburgh, PA
Three Rivers Stadium
This is the day I became a diehard Chicks fan. They were one of the acts for the George Strait Country Music Festival.
The stage was located in centerfield and I had seats on the first level behind home plate. Not too bad considering they were
only bought the day of the show.
The Chicks amazed me with their high energy show. It was very hot and humid this day but the Chicks worked the stage
like pros and never showed signs of heat fatigue. Emily picked her banjo, Martie fiddled and Natalie joined in to harmonize
on their most current hit Tonight the Heartache's on Me. Among other songs they played were You Were Mine, Am
I The Only One, I Can Love You Better, There's Your Trouble, Give It Up or Let Me Go, Wide Open Spaces, and a song from
the yet unreleased CD "Fly" called Cold Day In July. They even did a fiddle/banjo instrumental as three
male band members danced in women's wigs and men's boxer shorts.
While George Strait was singing Linda On My Mind,
the Chicks appeared on stage to "flash" him. He busted out laughing and had to take a seat. George improvised and changed
the lyrics to "I'm lying here with the Dixie Chicks on my mind." One of the funnier moments of the day.
October 13, 2000
State College PA
Bryce Jordan Center
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I had 8th row floor seats. I never had seats this good for a concert and couldn't believe I would be this close to the
Chicks.
Willie Nelson was the opening act. He played a hit packed 40 minutes. I've always liked Willie so having him
open was a bonus. He threw his bandana into the crowd. Fours rows up and it would have been mine. Willie later joined
the Chicks for a song.
This is the setlist from the show: Ready To Run, There's Your Trouble, Hello Mr. Heartache,
Don't Waste Your Heart, Without You, If I Fall, Bloody Mary Morning with Willie, I Can Love You Better, You Were
Mine, Give It Up Or Let Me Go, Let Him Fly, Heartbreak Town, Strong Enough, Brilliancy, Roanoke, Ler 'Er Rip, Cold Day in
July, Some Days You Gotta Dance, Cowboy Take Me Away, Sin Wagon, Goodbye Earl, Wide Open Spaces.
When the Chicks came on stage, Natalie did not look so well. Maybe it was the effects of being 4 months pregnant but
it did not affect her performance in the least. I was a little disappointed that they did not play Tonight The
Heartache's On Me because it's my favorite song. The sound system was excellent. Even though I knew most of the
punchlines to the jokes during the slide show, it was still funny. The Chicks played for almost 2 hours and I feel I got every
penny's worth and more.
October 15, 2000
Pittsburgh PA
Mellon Arena
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I had 9th row floor seats for this one. This was an older crowd than State College but much more livelier. This was by
far the rowdiest crowd of the 4 Fly shows would attend.
The opener was Ricky Skaggs. He's a little different
than what I'm used to hearing but enjoyed him nonetheless. I caught a guitar pick from one of the Fly guys. I could have had
another one but it would have involved getting 4 beers spilled on me.
I didn't think the Chicks could top State College's
performance but they did. There's no denying why they received the CMA award for "Entertainer of the Year" just 11 days before
this concert. They get on stage and play their music with their excellent musicianship and exquisite harmonies.
The set was nearly identical to State College but they played Dixie Chicken instead of Roanoke. Ricky Skaggs
joined them onstage for Brilliancy and this time they played Tonight the Heartache's On Me.
I
got to meet up with PA CHICK and cliffd64 from the Chicks message board. I even had dinner with PA CHICK and her mom.
October 28, 2000
Memphis, TN
The Pyramid
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| photo credit: Kay |
As you looked at the stage, I was sitting on the first level left side, Emily's side, up 12 rows. Very good seats.
I bought them off ebay for less than face value. It was nice to have a different perspective from the floor seats I had previously.
I never noticed how into the music Emily gets until this show.
Willie Nelson opened and was even better than he was
at State College.
The Chicks were as sizzlin' as ever. The setlist was identical to State College so the only disappointment
of the night was that they did not play Tonight The Heartache's on Me. I was sad after the show was over because
up to this point I thought this would be the last time I would get to see them on the Fly tour.
November 10, 2000
Cleveland, OH
Gund Arena
I decided 4 days before this show that I had to see them one more time. It's going to be a while before they tour again
so I needed one more Chicks fix. I had a pretty good seat for this one too. I was in the 2nd row of the 2nd level on the right
side (Martie's side). It was a good view considering I only bought it 4 days before the show from Ticketmaster.
The
opener was Joe Ely. The old guy can still rock it. Although sometimes his vocals were drowned out by his 4 member band, which
included an accordian player, I really enjoyed him. He did not join the Chicks on stage for a song.
The Chicks debuted
a brand new song. It's called Truth and was written by Patty Griffin. It's an uptempo tune and Natalie said "they
were thinking of putting it on the new album". I really liked it and hope to see it on a future album. They changed their
setlist by a couple of songs. They substituted Loving Arms for Don't Waste Your Heart and Am I
The Only One (Who's Ever Felt This Way) for Let 'Er Rip.
Martie and Natalie really upped the zinging
of each other during the slide show. They seem to get a real kick out of that. Martie mentioned that Nat was having a boy,
that "she saw that thingamajig".
Natalie really made one fan's night after Cowboy Take Me Away. It started when about 8 teenage girls in the
front row lit candles during the song and were swaying and dancing. Martie really seemed to enjoy this and started throwing
guitar picks to them. When they finished the song, Natalie grabbed the tambourine and went running over to them and gave it
to one of the girls. That was so cool.
February 12, 2002
Houston, TX
Reliant Astrodome
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I've seen the Chicks give better performances but I was still happy to be able to see them live. The accoustics
were not good, a few notes were missed on instruments and Natalie messed up more than a few lines during the 1 hour show.
The set list was: Some Days You Gotta Dance, There's Your Trouble, Tonight The Heartache's On Me, You Were Mine, Cowboy
Take Me Away, If I Fall, Sin Wagon, Roanoke, Landslide, Travelin' Soldier, Without You, Ready To Run, Wide Open Spaces, and
Goodbye Earl.
Natalie did all the talking, which was a disappointment. It would have been nice to hear something from Martie
and Emily. She made mention of a new album which is bluegrass and hopes to have the first single out sometime this summer.
She talked about their troubles with Sony, "We got into a little more trouble than we intended. Our label sued us, we
sued them, we left and then we got sued over Sin Wagon. Apparently somebody had a song called I'll Fly Away."
Natalie also talked about being at the Olympics and NBC deciding to go to commercial during their performance. She said they
were freezing their buns off and then peeked at her behind and joked that they were still there. The band was introduced,
unlike during the Fly tour. The only different player was the drummer. Natalie's dad, Lloyd Maines, played steel guitar.
The best part of the trip was getting to meet up with some people from the Dixie Chicks message board. It's
always great to get together with people of similar interests, especially if the interest is the Dixie Chicks.
May 23, 2002
Las Vegas, Nevada
MGM Grand Garden Arena
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I had a plane ticket that I had to use before it expired and got a great deal on a hotel room so I couldn't
pass up the chance to go to VH1's Divas Las Vegas concert. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the MGM Arena is a
rather small venue. I was sitting on the right side of the arena about 20 rows up. When the Chicks played on the side
stage, they were across from me. Too bad cameras were not allowed in. Also performing were Cher, Celine Dion, Shakira, Mary
J. Blige and guests Cyndi Lauper, Anastacia, Whitney Houston, and Stevie Nicks.
The Chicks debuted their new single Long Time Gone. Although it wasn't a Chicks' audience, there was some foot
stomping going on during this up-tempo bluegrass song. Later in the show, they sang Wide Open Spaces and then
Stevie Nicks joined them for Landslide. Martie shone on the mandolin during Landslide and the
crowd seemed to like her licks. The Chicks' finished up the night by singing That's All Right (Mama) in a tribute
to Elvis. All in all, I think the Chicks gave the best performance of the night.
August 27, 2002
New York, NY
Late Night With David Letterman
It's not a concert but it was a great chance to see the Chicks
once again. The Chicks were scheduled for Letterman this night. Standby tickets were available for Letterman by calling at
11:00 AM. I tried for a half hour on a hotel phone with no redial button before getting through. The man who answered took
my name and told me I was #30 and to meet on the corner of 53rd and Broadway at 4:30.
I had pre-ordered Home
so I was debating whether to buy a copy for the train trip home and maybe a chance to get it autographed. I didn't see
any record stores but I saw a guy with a Tower Records bag and asked him where it was. It was in Trump Tower which is right
where I was at the time. So I went in and it was only $11.99 so I decided to buy it. This would be a very lucky move on my
part.
I now headed over to Letterman.
We were lined up in numerical order. I still didn't know if I was going to get in. 9 people in front of me didn't show up
or were late so I was now given #21 on a piece of blue paper. There were over 40 of us in line because the man told everybody
over #40 that they wouldn't get in and cut them. Then the next cut was to #23. Now I'm thinking I'm not getting in because
it was 10 minutes to 5 and they only started taping at 5:30. They were still letting in people who had tickets. He tells us
that right now he only has 13 spots but he tells the rest of us that there is still hope, not to give up. So I patiently waited
figuring I had nothing to lose but time while they let in the remaining people with tickets. Then my line starts moving and
I got to the door and handed my numbered blue paper to a woman and I was in. I was ecstatic. Another chance to see the Chicks
as well as David Letterman. I was seated in the last row of the lower level on the left side. I had to sit through a
somewhat boring show just for the good part in which the Chicks performed White Trash Wedding. Letterman did not
interview them.
After the show was over,
I exited the door which led right next to where the guests enter and exit. I asked if the Chicks came out yet and they had
not so I figured I'd wait around and try for an autograph. A man who works for the Chicks said they were only going to sign
CD covers and collected about 10 of them including mine for the Chicks to sign. Another guy brought them back out and I
was so glad at that time to have bought it.
I didn't bring a camera
with me to the show because I have been to other TV tapings and they made us check our cameras at the door for later
retrieval. I didn't feel like waiting around after the show so that's why I left it back at the hotel. Big mistake. There
was no security checkpoint at the show and they didn't even check bags.
Natalie was the first
one to come out. She was holding her son Slade and looked absolutely beautiful. Everyone was screaming 'Natalie' and she gave
a big smile. I wished then that I had my camera. She was standing right in front of me. She got into a van and rode off. Martie
and Emily came out about 5-10 minutes later, waived to the crowd saying hello and then got into a van and they rode off. They
were within 5 feet of me. I would have had good pictures from that but I still had the next day at the CBS concert taping
and I had my CD signed so it was a great day.
August 28, 2002
New York, NY
The Plaza at CBS Studios
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The Chicks were to tape
for the CBS Early Show between noon and 1. I got there at 9:30, early enough to get at the front of the metal railings on
Emily's side. I started talking with 3 young girls who were interested in the Chicks' music as much as I was. It turns
out that one of them was
cutelilchick_5, who along with me, posts on the Dixie Chicks message board at DixieChicks.com. The Chicks played Long
Time Gone, Landslide, White Trash Wedding each twice and also Cowboy Take Me Away. They sometimes took time
to banter with the crowd during shooting. Natalie even shared a joke with the crowd. I received a Home album flat from
what I guess was someone in the Sony promotion department.
After it was over, the
Chicks stuck around to sign autographs and pose for pictures. I got by the doorway of the studio where they had come out and
patiently waited. The doors were open and the air conditioning coming from this building was freezing and I thought about
moving but figured I had a good spot by the door so I just stuck it out. Emily was the first one to come back and I had
my 1997 Chick Chat newsletter and Sharpie out and ready for signing. Little did I know they had their own pens or else I would
have had my disposable camera ready but I only have two hands and they were already overfilled. Emily exclaimed "Oh my gosh,
that's from a long time ago." I congratulated her on her pregnancy, she said "Thanks" and then she went into the building.
She seemed to be in the most hurry to get inside. Maybe being 6 months pregnant had something to do with it. The funny thing
is if I hadn't seen Emily signing it with my own eyes I would think it was a fake. Natalie was the next to come through the crowd. I watched as she signed every
autograph and posed for pictures of anyone who asked. I told her I loved the new CD as she signed her autograph on the newsletter.
Only later did I remember what I wanted to ask or say.
So I just needed Martie
to sign it. She was still on the stage at this point signing so I walked over there but couldn't find a spot to get in so
I went back to the door. She finally made her way back and I got the trifecta with her signature. I can't even remember if
I said anything to her. It was like somebody should have slapped me and woke me from my dream. Getting this close to the Chicks
and being able to actually speak to them made my trip to New York City one of the best times I've ever had.
June 14, 2003
Pittsburgh, PA
Mellon Arena
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The setup for this tour was a stage in-the-round. Part of the
stage included catwalks that went out into the audience on both sides of the arena. I had 6th row seats on the first level to
the left of one of those catwalks. I had purchased these seats through the Dixie Chicks Artist Club and was very happy when
I got to my seat and saw how close I was to the stage. The show was a sellout and very few no-shows could be found.
Joan Osborne was the opening act but I wasn't able to see her.
My other favorite performer, Kasey Chambers, was playing a concert in town the very same night. I was able to watch all of
Kasey's show and then hurriedly walked up to the Mellon Arena for the Chicks.
I made it to my seat 10 minutes before the Chicks came onstage.
To get to the center stage, the Chicks were rolled out in metal crates. One of the crates toppled over but I don't know which
Chick it was. (Note: In a Chicks Live Chat with Martie on March 9,2004, it was disclosed that this was a practical joke done
to their stage manager. No Chick was in the crate) The Chicks started out with one of their fan favorites, 'Goodbye Earl'.
The setlist was as follows: Goodbye Earl, Some Days You Gotta Dance, There's Your Trouble, Long Time Gone, Tortured Tangled
Hearts, Travelin' Soldier, Am I The Only One (Whose Ever Felt This Way)(with Joan Osbourne), Hello Mr. Heartache,
Cold Day In July, White Trash Wedding, Lil' Jack Slade, A Home, Truth #2, If I Fall You're Going Down With Me, Mississippi,
Cowboy Take Me Away, Godspeed, Landslide, Ready To Run, Wide Open Spaces, Top Of the World, Sin Wagon. In all, the Chicks
played for 1:45.
Emily's banjo never sounded better. I love her opening riff on
Some Days You Gotta Dance. The side I was sitting on seemed to be Emily's side.
Natalie did make mention of the comment she made about President Bush
before Truth No. 2. Some booing occurred, probably more than I expected, but cheers then drowned them out. She announced that
the Chicks have teamed up with Rock The Vote. Rock The Vote is an organization dedicated to getting young people registered
to vote. Natalie said "We want young people to get to have a voice, to get to say who's in office."
Martie seemed to be the most affable Chick, as is usually the
case. She often reached out to shake hands with fans. One time, a man wouldn't let go and security had to get him away so
Martie could continue playing.
My only complaint, and a little one at that, was the merry-go-round
like fashion the Chicks had to use to work the stage. It seemed like they were hardly ever together and when they were, they
were on the opposite side of me. I'll be on the opposite side in Memphis so maybe my view on this will change. Leave
no doubt though. It was an excellent show and well worth the money.
After the show, I waited with some other fans in hopes that
the Chicks would come out to meet us, just like they did at a couple of other shows. During that time, a crew person came
out and gave us all Martie picks. We waited and waited and around 2:00 some Chicks' staff people came out to collect items
for autographs. I gave them two items and was happy to get those signed. The Chicks' drummer, John Gardner, came over
and gave us two pizzas. Shortly thereafter, the Chicks got on their busses and drove on out to the next city. It would have
been nice if the Chicks acknowledged the 9 of us who waited all that time by coming out but I understand when they don't.
I still had a great time waiting with the other fans.
August 2, 2003
Memphis, TN
The Pyramid
I'm glad I was able to see this tour twice because sitting on the opposite side of where I did in Pittsburgh certainly
gave me a different perspective. I was right. It did seem like Chicks played to one side more. I had seats in the 4th row
to the right of the catwalk that extended into the audience but a section further away than Pittsburgh. During the show, Martie's
husband kept coming and going from his seat which was on the floor in front of me.
This was probably one of the more interesting concerts I've been to. A young girl a couple rows in front of
me got sick before the Chicks came on. She decided to throw up right by our row and then a lady sitting in the second seat
pushed her away screaming at her thinking she was drunk. (I was sitting in the 4th seat.) It started a shouting
match after the lady decided to use vulgar language towards the girl which upset all of us sitting nearby. The man sitting
behind her grabbed her by the shoulders and told her to cool it since he had his young daughter with him. The lady replied
to him that "he had no business bringing a child to an adult event." Never thought I'd hear such a thing at a Chicks concert.
Well, the lady went and got a police officer who came and warned everyone to keep our hands to ourselves and that he didn't
want to have to come back here.
Michell Branch opened. At that time I was only familiar with the song she did with Santana and she didn't
even sing that. She bounced around the stage in bare feet. A good performance.
It was time for the Chicks to come on. They were wheeled out in their crates on the opposite end of where
I was sitting. The Memphis crowd seemed more into the concert than the Pittsburgh audience. Since I am not a native of Memphis,
I didn't know what to expect from the crowd in relation to the "comment". I heard absolutely no booing from this crowd. The fans
cheered very loudly after Natalie mentioned the incident. The setlist was identical to Pittsburgh.
My brother was able to sneak my camera into the show. I was able to take some pictures right up until they
sang A Home but then a security guard started confiscating cameras which made me mad since they were sitting right
in front of me. He accused my brother of having a camera but he denied it which was right since I was the one with it.
I just hid it away not knowing what he would do with the digital card I was using that also still had Pittsburgh pictures
on it. I was able to snap a few at the end during Sin Wagon.
I think this was one of the best performances I've seen the Chicks give. Since they had been on the road
for a little over 3 months, you would think there would be some sign of concert fatigue. Even if they do suffer from that,
they never show signs of showing it.
After the show I met up with some friends from the Dixie Chicks message board and met a few more as we waited
by the gate in hopes that the Chicks would come out. They didn't but a crew member did come and pass out Natalie guitar picks.
We waited until the busses left, long enough to get bitten more than a few time by mosquitos. Next time, I must remember the
bug spray.
October 1, 2004
Pittsburgh, PA
Heinz Hall
details coming soon
July 22, 2006
Pittsburgh, PA
Mellon Arena
details coming soon
July 23, 2006
Columbus, OH
Value City Arena
details coming soon
December 1, 2006
Nashville, TN
Gaylord Entertainment Center
details coming soon
October 18 and 21, 2007
Los Angeles, CA
Nokia Theatre
details coming soon
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