Just two songs into the Dixie Chicks' concert at the Air Canada Centre last night, Natalie Maines paused for a reality check.

"Just so you know you're at the right show," the impish singer said nonchalantly, "we are the Dixie Chicks."

Part sarcastic newsflash, part sly joke, the wisecrack could have been aimed more at Maines' own band than her audience: Having ridden greased lightnin'-like to the top of the current country music in the past 18 months -- that is, after a decade of gigs and dues-paying -- the Dixie Chicks had to feel a bit chuffed to be staring out at a full-bore arena crowd of 14,000.

The Grammy-winning Texas trio made their Toronto debut in front of about 2,000 at Massey Hall last year. Their 1999 album Fly and 1998's Wide Open Spaces are both multi-million sellers. They are currently on their first headlining tour. It has grossed something like $9-million.

All of which might explain those blood-curdling whoops and yee-haws the Dixie Chicks are fond of letting out between songs.

Then again, having veteran picker Ricky Skaggs open for them might have been enough.

Coming on strong with hit tune Ready To Run, Maines, fiddler Martie Seidel, banjo and guitar player Emily Erwin and a six-man backing unit, readily proved that they're seasoned troupers still ready to sing for their supper.

While their recent pop fame has centered on a goofy image -- ie., three down-home-but-glammy gals next door crash the stage and kick some a-- at a honky tonk -- their live presentation is much more grand.

For instance, the Chicks' scatter-gun musical approach let them touch on Celt-heavy folk and bluegrass, syrupy ballads, the glossy country-pop stomp that has made them famous and all points in between.

Somewhere underneath, a rawness and an edge still lingered. Musicians first and pop stars second, the trio seemed strongest and most comfortable when locked in harmonies.

Of course, they weren't about to let that big concert space go to waste. Judging by the giant, inflatable fly circling the crowd before the show, the shower of confetti and the ever-changing backdrops, an obligatory jam around the couch, they've been taking notes over the years just in case dream gigs like this ever became a reality.

Still, there was always a unique spin: The embarrassing childhood photo schtick would have worn thin after the first five minutes were it not for the girls' deadly jabs at one another; a Fleetwood Mac-styled version of Goodbye Earl -- a hit song about joyously killing a (bad) guy -- was played with each Chick on different platforms deep in the crowd.

Looks like the big-time fits them just fine.

JAM! Rating: 3 out of 5