By Jerry Fink (contact)

Thu, Jun 19, 2008 (2 a.m.)

“Hicktown” catapulted country artist Jason Aldean into the national limelight in 2005.

The song, penned by country sensations Big & Rich, was Aldean’s first single and it peaked at No. 10 on the country charts. That’s sort of like hitting a home run in your first at-bat in the World Series.

Aldean parlayed the success of “Hicktown” into the opening slot on tours by Rascal Flatts and Trace Adkins. This week, Aldean will open for Tim McGraw when the country superstar stops Saturday at Mandalay Bay.

“It’s one of those things I try not to overthink too much,” he says from a stop in Philadelphia. “I’ve been able to find some great songs, things that represent what I do real well. For any career certain things will fall into place. Timing is everything. A couple of things fell into place for us at the right time and I’ve been able to have some success early on.”

When this tour ends in early July, Aldean says he’ll take a week off, hit the club circuit and spend some time in the recording studio finishing up an album that will be released early next year.

Ultimately, he wants to headline the big rooms, the arenas and stadiums.

“I want to play our own show in Vegas,” Aldean says.

Details: Tim McGraw with special guests Jason Aldean & Halfway to Hazard; 8 p.m. Saturday; Mandalay Bay Events Center; $50 to $100; 632-7777

‘Crazy Girls’ grows up

“Crazy Girls,” the sex-crazed topless show at the Riviera, is headed for its 21st birthday.

Creator Norbert Aleman, who also produces “La Cage,” debuted “Crazy Girls” on Sept. 18, 1987.

Since then more than 150 dancers have been baring most of it for an appreciative audience that often is made up of young and old married couples from the Midwest who want to get a taste of risque Las Vegas.

The show gained widespread fame in 1993 when a controversial advertisement first appeared on a billboard at the Spaghetti Bowl, within eyeshot of City Hall. The billboard featured the behinds of seven cast members standing in a row. The slogan in the ad read: “No Ifs, Ands or ...” Some folks protested the ad, but “Crazy Girls” prevailed and the show has been a mainstay on the Strip for 20 years.

Sculptor Michael Conine created a 1,700-pound bronze statue based on the picture. It stands outside the Riviera on the Strip and has become a favorite among tourists who pat the girls’ rears for good luck.

The routines and the girls have changed with the times, but the show remains a must-see for many tourists.

Comic magician Tony Douglas hosts the show.

Details: 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays; Riviera; $39.95 plus tax and fees; 794-9433

Around town

Hilarious? Edgy? Sacrilegious? Bizarre? Bad girl comedian Sarah Silverman raises eyebrows and hackles with her comedy routines. You can decide for yourself this weekend. (8 and 11 p.m. Saturday, Hard Rock, $26.50 to $82, 693-5066) ... Green Valley Ranch’s Ovation lounge features a strong lineup of free rock concerts to entice fans in out of the heat this summer. The weekly show features classic rock tribute band Yellow Brick Road (9 to 11:30 p.m. Wednesdays), vocalist and guitarist Jeremy Cornwell (8 to 11 p.m. Thursdays) and rock and soul singer Michael Grimm (6 to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays) ... These aren’t free, but Ovation’s summer concerts include jazz musicians Rick Braun and Richard Elliot on July 18, jazz trumpeter Chris Botti on July 26 and comedian Jamie Kennedy on Aug. 16. (More info, 617-7777)