Open Wide/Columbia Records Readies the Release of Deluxe Edition of Dixie Chicks #1 Album, Taking The Long Way

Open Wide/Columbia Records will release a newly-expanded deluxe edition of Taking The Long Way, the latest chart-topping multi-platinum-selling album by the Dixie Chicks, on Tuesday, November 14.

The expanded edition of Taking The Long Way comes in a deluxe six-panel digi-pak with a 24 page booklet. The package also includes a new DVD featuring five live performances -- "Taking The Long Way," "Easy Silence," "Voice Inside My Head," "Truth #2," and "Wide Open Spaces" -- from the Dixie Chicks' AOL Sessions; the record-breaking -- Most Weeks at #1 on VH1's "Top 20 Countdown" -- video clip for "Not Ready To Make Nice"; an in-depth interview with the album's producer Rick Rubin; and more.

The lives of the Dixie Chicks, on-stage and off, have been chronicled in the new documentary feature, "Shut Up & Sing," directed and produced by Academy Award-winning documentary director Barbara Kopple ("Harlan County USA" and "American Dream") and producer/director Cecilia Peck ("A Conversation with Gregory Peck").

"Shut Up & Sing" had its premiere at the Toronto Film Festival on September 12 and will open on select US screens on October 27, expanding nationwide on November 10.

Four weeks after its release on May 23, Taking The Long Way achieved a platinum (for sales of 1,000,000) certification by the RIAA, bringing the group's career total up to 41 gold, platinum and multi-platinum certifications, including two RIAA Diamond Awards.

The U.S. platinum success of Taking The Long Way was echoed in similar chart-topping sales figures around the world. Taking The Long Way debuted at #1 (and remained in the top slot for four weeks) in Canada (2x platinum), and at #2 in Australia (platinum). The album debuted at #8 in New Zealand, where it's been certified gold.

Released in Europe on June 12, Taking The Long Way quickly crossed the two million mark in sales worldwide with the album hitting the Top 10 in Sweden (peaked at #1), Australia (#2), Germany (#5), Europe (#6) Switzerland (#6), Ireland (#7, gold), Norway (#7), Austria (#8), and the UK Top 75 (#10, gold). In every market in which it's charted, with the exception of New Zealand and Ireland, Taking The Long Way achieved the highest-charting debut numbers of any album in the Dixie Chicks' career.

When Taking The Long Way debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 best- selling albums chart the week of its release, the Dixie Chicks became the first female group in chart history to have three albums debut at #1, breaking the record the Chicks established in 2002 when the group's last studio album, Home, debuted at #1 and made them the first female group ever to have two albums debut at #1.

With the #1 debut of Taking The Long Way, the Dixie Chicks became the first female group in chart history to have three studio albums occupy the #1 slot on the Top 200.

In addition to occupying the #1 spot on the Billboard 200 for two weeks in a row, Taking The Long Way spent six weeks running as America's #1 Top Country Album and was the nation's #1 Top Digital Album.

Taking The Long Way is produced by Rick Rubin (Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Run-DMC) and features fourteen new songs co-written by the Dixie Chicks.

Having sold more than $100 million worth of concert tickets during their career, the Dixie Chicks are one of the most popular live acts in history. The Dixie Chicks are on the road this fall with their "Accidents & Accusations Tour" in support of Taking The Long Way.

  DIXIE CHICKS TOUR DATES

  11/09/06    Portland, OR       Rose Garden Arena
  11/11/06    Tacoma, WA         Tacoma Dome, Arena
  11/14/06    Sacramento, CA     Arco Sports Complex, Arco Arena
  11/16/06    Fresno, CA         Save Mart Center
  11/17/06    Oakland, CA        Oakland Arena
  11/19/06    Phoenix, AZ        Glendale Arena
  11/24/06    Los Angeles, CA    Staples Center Arena
  11/25/06    Las Vegas, NV      MGM Grand Hotel, Grand Garden Arena
  11/27/06    Denver, CO         Pepsi Center
  11/28/06    Omaha, NE          Qwest Center
  12/01/06    Nashville, TN      Gaylord Entertainment Center
  12/02/06    Atlanta, GA        Philips Arena
  12/04/06    Austin, TX         Frank Erwin Center
  12/05/06    Dallas, TX         American Airlines Center

  http://www.dixiechicks.com/
  http://www.columbiarecords.com/

SOURCE: Open Wide/Columbia Records

CONTACT: Cindi Berger, cindi.berger@pmkhbh.com, +1-212-582-1111, or Jen
Holiner, jennifer.holiner@pmkhbh.com, +1-212-582-1111,
jennifer.holiner@pmkhbh.com, both of PMK; Kathy Best, FrontPage Publicity,
+1-615-383-0412, kathy@frontpagepublicity.com; Claire Mercuri, Columbia
Records, +1-212-833-5121, claire.mercuri@sonybmg.com

Web site: http://www.columbiarecords.com/
http://www.dixiechicks.com/