The Chicks still won't 'shut up and sing,' 20 years after 'Taking the Long Way'

It’s been 20 years since The Chicks released their "Taking the Long Way" album, a declaration of free speech defiance that found the country trio refusing to “shut up and sing.” On Oct. 15 at Nashville’s newest venue, The Truth, they showed a sold-out crowd they still feel the same way. “A lot has h

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It’s been 20 years since The Chicks released their "Taking the Long Way" album, a declaration of free speech defiance that found the country trio refusing to “shut up and sing.” On Oct. 15 at Nashville’s newest venue, The Truth, they showed a sold-out crowd they still feel the same way.

“A lot has happened in 20 years. Who knew we’d now be ashamed the President of the United States is from the United States," said lead singer Natalie Maines to a chorus of cheers.

Standing alongside bandmates Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer, Maines was referencing the controversy that inspired the album, which is now being celebrated as part of The Chicks' ongoing 20th anniversary Taking the Long Way tour. Their show featured every song from the project and a guest

appearance from Sheryl Crow, plus a poignant feeling of vindication to join their signature outspoken edge, and top-flight musicianship.

Welcoming a predominantly female crowd of all ages, the concert began with an hour-long montage of unseen documentary footage from the "Taking the Long Way" era, rather than opening acts. It included backstage wrestling matches, candid moments with producer Rick Rubin and filmmaker Michael Moore, and also showed the band making pivotal decisions, like deciding to release "Not Ready to Make Nice" as a single.

The album followed one of the most memorable controversies in country music history, which ostracized the trio at the height of their award-winning fame. The Chicks became the target of ugly protests and radio boycotts after Maines criticized then-President George W. Bush over U.S. involvement in the Iraq War, telling a U.K. crowd they were "ashamed" he was from their home state of Texas. But arriving onstage in Nashville, that time seemed far away.

Seated on a raised center platform under a curtain chandelier, the trio launched straight into "The Long Way Around," which helped give the project its name. Holding acoustic instruments and dressed in black, The Chicks harmonized with an eager crowd on lines like "It's been two long years now / Since the top of the world came crashing down." "Taking the Long Way" would eventually win five Grammy Awards, but when it was made they were still feeling something like betrayal.

"Twenty years ago Rick Rubin reached out and asked if he could produce an album for us," Maines told the crowd. "He wanted us to co-write everything. He thought we had some things to say. ... He was right."

The album's signature song remains "Not Ready to Make Nice" and The Chicks performed it as a cathartic sing-along, but not before they played video of Maines' infamous statement, along with clips of the fallout. TV pundits called the women "dumb bimbos," death threats replaced fan mail, and many people hurled insults like "traitor."

Maines explained that "Not Ready to Make Nice" was the first song written for the project, and when new co-writer Dan Wilson asked if they wanted to do an "apology song," her immediate reaction was to passionately decline.

Some fans came wearing custom "Goodbye Earl" T-shirts and other memorabilia to show they've been fans for more than 20 years. Even all these years later, Maines' instantly recognizable voice may be one of the genre's most underrated, still sharp and defined by piercing power, yet at times subtle. Meanwhile, Maguire and Strayer remain experts on multiple instruments, and deft harmony singers.

The group dedicated a verse of "Bitter End" to the Nashville-centric country radio establishment, who "dropped us like a hot potato." Crow, the night's guest, joined the trio for a spirited rendition of "Favorite Year," which she co-wrote. Maines said the Nashville resident was one of the first people to reach out to them after the controversy.

Finally, Maines had one more politically charged message to go with the album-closing "I Hope." She proudly called the current president a "deranged nut job," before encouraging the crowd to vote in upcoming elections. "We have hope in November," she said.

A generous encore of nine hits ended the two-and-a-half-hour show, including tracks like "Goodbye Earl," "Cowboy Take Me Away" and "Travelin' Soldier."