A little bit country for Cinco de Mayo

Jerry Fink

Friday, April 28, 2006 | 9:07 a.m.

Who: Jon Secada with Joey Daniels

When: 7:30 p.m. May 6

Where: Caesars Palace's Roman Plaza Amphitheater

Tickets: $51 (bleacher seating), $71 (reserved floor seating)

Information: 731-7333

Just when country music purists were getting used to the likes of Canadian Shania Twain - a beautiful, talented singer/songwriter fond of showing her midriff - along comes the lovely Joey Daniels.

Perhaps more beautiful and just as talented (although more covered), Daniels hails from British Columbia - Twain is from Ontario.

Daniels, who declined to reveal her exact age, said Twain is an inspiring role model, both because she is from Canada and because, like her, Twain writes her own songs.

Daniels, who moved to the United States eight years ago and lives in St. Petersburg, Fla., will open for Jon Secada on May 6 at Caesars Palace, part of a Cinco de Mayo weekend celebration.

She and Secada are with the same label, Big3 Records. Daniels wrote a song, "Free," that Secada sings on his latest album, "Same Dream."

"Jon and I are label mates, and good friends," Daniels said.

It might seem strange for a Latin vocalist and a country music performer to combine their talents for one show, but Daniels' background is so diverse she doesn't see an issue.

"I grew up playing every kind of music," she said. "Latin, country, whatever was popular."

She says today's country is closer to pop music. "It has more of a universal appeal," Daniels said. "People who used to listen to Eagles probably now listen to country."

Daniels, who wrote her first song at age 16, considers herself more of a songwriter than singer - although she loves both. "My heart is in writing the songs. That's where I get to say what I like to say," she said.

Her debut album, "Take Me Off the Market," was released in September. She wrote nine of the 13 tracks.

Country Weekly chose Daniels as one of eight new artists to watch in 2006. She's been a busy up-and-comer, working on songs for her second album and promoting her single "Crazier Than Usual," which will be released in about a month.

Daniels recently was featured in the national publications Parade, Country Weekly and Playgirl (as a celebrity guest columnist).

She will perform at the Country Music Association's Music Festival, June 8-11, in Nashville, Tenn.

Daniels has performed in Las Vegas several times, most recently in December with Leanne Womack at the Mirage.

"I love Vegas," she said. "I used to live in Los Angeles and we would drive or fly into town. I love to gamble."

Her future is a sure bet.

Who: Jon Secada with Joey Daniels

When: 7:30 p.m. May 6

Where: Caesars Palace's Roman Plaza Amphitheater

Tickets: $51 (bleacher seating), $71 (reserved floor seating)

Information: 731-7333