Dixie Chicks shuffle tour dates, locales

The Dixie Chicks have changed their concert date at Staples Center to Nov. 24, part of a major shuffling and reduction of their Accidents & Accusations tour. Shows in 14 cities were deleted from the itinerary altogether, including previously announced stops in Houston, Kansas City, Mo., and Memphis and Knoxville, Tenn.

The Chicks were one of the strongest draws in all of country music before their lead singer, Natalie Maines, made a disparaging comment about President Bush while on stage in England in 2003. That brought a dramatic backlash from country fans, radio and some of their peers.

Their new album, “Taking the Long Way,” is their most rock-leaning work and has sold well, but changes in their core sound and audience have made their tour a sluggish venture.

The Staples show had been scheduled for Sept. 14.

Chicks spokeswoman Kathy Allmand said Monday that the total number of North American dates remains the same, with several Canadian cities added in place of the U.S. shows. The trio released a statement last week attributing the changes to attempts to “accommodate demand” and said more dates might be added next year.