Country acts riding into town for rodeo

It's still the weekend to see your Justins and your Tony Lamas on the Strip, even if this year they're up against the platform boots of the Spice Girls.

For various reasons -- including the Spice babes hogging the Mandalay Bay Events Center -- National Finals Rodeo entertainment follows its recent drift from top-tier country stars to dependable veterans and party-oriented attractions.

You may miss Gilley's at the ashes-to-ashes Frontier, but the Gold Coast is teaming up with Billy Bob's Texas to convert the showroom into a venue for live bands, autograph-signing cowboys and a nightly TV-style wrap of each day's rodeo action.

Those who actually score NFR tickets can show up early to see free shows by country up-and-comers in the Cox Pavilion adjacent to the Thomas & Mack Center. The music starts at 6:45 p.m. weeknights and 5:45 p.m. weekends.

Two casino showrooms still go all in with the name headliners. The Las Vegas Hilton has Trace Adkins today and Saturday, Big and Rich (with Cowboy Troy and James Otto) on Sunday through Tuesday, then Brooks & Dunn Wednesday through Dec. 15.

The Golden Nugget has the Charlie Daniels Band today and Saturday, Terri Clark Sunday through Tuesday, Ronnie Milsap on Wednesday and Clay Walker on Thursday and Dec. 14.

Locals can get in on the fun without going to the Strip. Lee Greenwood stages "A Tennessee Christmas" on Sunday at The Orleans, while Station Casinos spread country attractions around the valley at different casinos over the two NFR weekends, including Rodney Atkins today and Saturday at Boulder Station.

Station's big push is Sunday's fourth annual "Toys for Tickets" concert with KWNR-FM, 95.5. The event was started with the help of Toby Keith collaborator Scotty Emerick, who is now battling oral cancer. Monica Reeves, events coordinator for Station, stepped in to "beg, plead and grovel" with agents and artists to keep the event going, she says.

Lonestar is the one announced act for an event that has come to be known for its surprise factor. Moving the 7 p.m. Sunday show into the 700-capacity Ovation at Green Valley Ranch makes it a tighter ticket this year, but any remaining tickets can be scored by donating a new toy worth $10 or more to the Children's Advocacy Allliance at any Star Nursery.

Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-0288.