Dixie Chicks downplay tour claims

Comments by Natalie Maines (centre) prompted the controversy

Country music group the Dixie Chicks have downplayed reports that poor sales are forcing changes to their planned 43-date North American tour.

A concert industry magazine claimed shows had been dropped in Republican states such as Oklahoma and Tennessee.

The group's spokeswoman told the Los Angeles Times there would be "some reshuffling of dates" but also some additions to the itinerary.

Their website said it was "completely false" to say the entire tour was off.

The Dixie Chicks also paid tribute to their fans, stressing they were "as active and dedicated as they come".

In 2003 there was a backlash against the group following remarks by singer Natalie Maines.

She said they were "ashamed" to share their home state of Texas with President Bush.

She later retracted an apology for "disrespecting the office of the president", telling Time magazine in a recent interview: "I don't feel that way anymore. I don't feel he is owned any respect whatsoever."

The Dixie Chicks are scheduled to play a sold-out concert at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire next Thursday, and will support the Eagles two days later at Twickenham Stadium.

They will then embark on a tour of the United States and Canada, which starts in Detroit on 21 July and ends on 11 November in Tacoma, Washington.

The group's latest album, Taking the Long Way, has spent the past two weeks at number one on the US pop charts, having sold 526,000 copies during its first seven days.