Just before Thanksgiving, the Academy of Country Music announced that after spending the past two years in Nashville, the 57th ACM Awards will return to Las Vegas on March 7 at Allegiant Stadium. It will be broadcast live exclusively on Prime Video, a first for a major music awards ceremony.
A week earlier, the country superstar and popular judge on The voice Blake Shelton has announced that it will be opening a Strip-side location of its Ole Red concert hall, bar and restaurant concept in 2023.
But Vegas doesn’t need developments like these to be considered a serious country music capital, and you don’t have to wait until next year or the next year to see the proof. The Wrangler National Finals rodeo is back in town this week, which means the Strip will be saturated with the biggest names and brightest stars of the genre. See how many of these shows you can check off.
RESIDENTIAL HOMES
Shania twain
Shania Twain: Let’s go! Twain’s second tour of the Strip had just kicked off at Planet Hollywood’s Zappos Theater in December 2019 when COVID hit, and she found herself stranded in Las Vegas. Now she’s back on stage here, bringing her pop catalog to life in a new and unique way. December 2, 4-5, 9 & 11-12, 8 p.m., ticketmaster.com.
Strait of George
Strait of George: Detroit to Vegas He’s the only artist to have given multiple concerts each year at the T-Mobile Arena since it opened in 2016, so this arena-sized show definitely counts as a residency – and a huge hit at that. Strait brings a different second band every time he’s in town, with soulful Minnesota singer-songwriter Caitlyn Smith doing the honors this week. December 3-4, 8 p.m., axs.com.
Carrie Underwood: Reflection Speaking of honors, Underwood is opening the Resorts World Theater, making her name in Strip entertainment history as she establishes her first concert residency in Las Vegas. December 3-4, 8 & 10-11, 8 p.m., axs.com.
Réba, Brooks and Dunn: Together in Vegas When Reba McEntire, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn kicked off this series at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in 2015, it reunited a trio that had previously toured together twice and reunited Brooks and Dunn after a split in 2010. After nearly 50 performances. Featuring all the successes of the two distinguished artists, the residency concludes during the rodeo season in Las Vegas. December 3-4, 7-8, 10-11 & 14-15, 7:30 p.m., ticketmaster.com.
BUSINESS HEADS
Rodney Carrington and Jason Aldean
Small big city The rejuvenated Virgin Hotels Las Vegas theater has already seen an eclectic lineup in its short existence this year, and equally diverse and award-winning vocal group Little Big Town are a welcome addition to this week’s country offerings. December 3-4, 8 p.m., axs.com.
Rodney Carrington The country comedian, actor and singer, who has performed for years in NFR knockout shows at the MGM Grand, returns to the David Copperfield Theater for four performances. December 3-4 and 10-11, 9 p.m., mgmgrand.com.
Ron white The Texas-born Blue Collar Comedy Tour veteran makes a timely return to the Mirage Theater’s Aces of Comedy series. December 3-4 and 10-11, 10 p.m., mirage.com.
Josh turner Get a little gospel in your rodeo week when this South Carolina native, who will help kick off Grand Ole Opry’s new Opry Country Christmas series in Nashville next week, performs at the Venetian Theater. December 4, 8 p.m., ticketmaster.com.
Jason aldean He’ll be back in the venue formerly known as the Park Theater and recently renamed Dolby Live for three shows on his Back in the Saddle tour, but doesn’t it make sense that Aldean is signing up for a Vegas residency soon. ? December 9-11, 9 p.m., ticketmaster.com.
EXHIBITION ROOMS, BARS AND BEYOND
Cody Jinks and Dirks Bentley
The Chelsea Cody Jinks, December 2-3 and 5; Brantley Gilbert, December 4; Cody Johnson, December 8-9; Dierks Bentley, December 10-11. Cosmopolitan, ticketmaster.com.
Gold Nugget Showroom Jo Dee Messina, December 2; John Michael Montgomery, December 4; Ray Wylie Hubbard, December 5; Ronnie Milsap, December 6; Tracy Lawrence, December 7; Terri Clark, December 8; John Anderson, December 9; Jamey Johnson, December 10. Gold nugget, ticketmaster.com.
Gilley’s living room Just Dave Band, December 2; Michael Austin, December 3-5; Kevin Fowler, December 6-7; Scotty Alexander, December 7-10; Reckless Kelly, December 8-9, Rob Staley, December 10-11. Treasure Island, Trésorisland.com.
Rhythm & Riffs Scotty Alexander Band, December 2-3; Wolfcreek, December 9; Dez Houston Band, December 4, 7 and 11; Ryan White Maloney, December 5; Brett Rigby Band, December 6, 8 and 10. Mandalay Bay, mandalaybay.com.
money baby Easton Corbin, December 2; Drake Milligan, December 3; David Lee Murphy, December 4; Jenna LaMaster, December 5; Wyatt McCubbin, December 6; William Michael Morgan, December 7; Glen Templeton, December 9; Tyler Booth, December 10; Heath Sanders, December 11. Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, moneybabylv.com.
Sailing Pavilion Ned LeDoux, December 2-3; Thrillbilly Deluxe, December 4; Jenn Ford, December 5 and 6; The Heers Turner Oversize Band, December 7-8; Josh Ward and Randy Brown, December 9-10; American Thunder, December 11. Silverton, silvertoncasino.com.
South Point Exhibition room Aaron Watson, December 2-5; Chancey Williams, December 6-8; Randall King, December 9-11. southern tip, southpointcasino.com.
Brooklyn Bowl Shane Smith and the Saints, Ian Munsick, December 3; Gregory Alan Isakov, Leif Vollebekk, December 6; The Dead South, December 8; Nelly, Red Shahan. December 10; Linq promenade, ticketweb.com.
Dawg House Saloon Riley Green, December 3-4 and 10-11. World of seaside resorts, axs.com.
Stoney’s rock country Allie Colleen, December 3; Jordan Rowe, December 4; Heath Sanders, December 10; Sean Stemaly, December 11. City center, stoneysrockincountry.com.
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