As it turns out, reports that the Dixie Chicks [ tickets ] would dramatically downscale their North American "Accidents and Accusations Tour" were greatly exaggerated.

The group's newly unveiled, revamped itinerary includes as many planned arena shows as when the Chicks first announced their tour plans in May. However, the dates for many previously announced shows have been pushed back to late fall.

A handful of markets that the trio originally intended to visit--including Tampa and Sunrise, FL; Des Moines, IA; Knoxville, TN; and Fargo, ND--don't appear on the new itinerary. But the group has made up for those cancellations with shows in other markets, mostly in Canada. The new itinerary is below.

"Dates not yet on sale should go on sale in September," said a statement posted on the group's website. "Tickets purchased for shows that have been moved to a later date will be good on the new show date. Ticket holders for any shows no longer on the itinerary should contact their original point of purchase for refunds and information on other Dixie Chicks concerts in the region."

In June, some media reports indicated that the trio might be forced to cancel or postpone most or all of its summer dates due to tepid ticket sales in many markets, a situation largely credited to the controversy that has surrounded the group since lead singer Natalie Maines, during a 2003 concert in London, told the audience that she was "ashamed" that President George W. Bush was a fellow Texan.

At the time, the group responded to the cancellation rumors with a message posted at its website.

"Any reports being made about the cancellation of our upcoming Accidents and Accusations tour are completely false," the band's statement began.

"We have known since March 2003 that our path in this business would have obstacles at every pass. We have enjoyed meeting each one head-on and we will continue to do so. Dixie Chicks fans are as active and dedicated as they come. This time around we are willingly feeling our way through uncharted territory. Things don't come as easy as they might have come in the past, and it makes each accomplishment more exciting and appreciated."

In contrast to the softer-than-expected initial ticket sales in some market, the band's latest album, "Taking the Long Way," is showing healthy sales numbers, selling 526,000 copies its first week of release, according to Nielsen Soundscan, the third largest sales week of any artist this year. The album has since been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipping more than a million copies in the US.

Meanwhile, the group also postponed Wednesday night's planned show at Nikon at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, NY, "for safety reasons," due to record-breaking heat.