National Finals Rodeo entertainment guide

Justin M. Bowen

Hold on to your hat!

By Allison Duck (contact)

Friday, Dec. 4, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.

Grab your Stetson; it's time for the annual descent of cowboys and cowgirls on Sin City as the National Finals Rodeo rolls into town. Nearly 200,000 people are expected to pack into the Thomas & Mack Center over the week-long event. In addition to the actual rodeo, enjoy country acts all around town at local music venues and nightclubs. Read on to plan your hoedowns accordingly.

Thursday, Dec. 3:

The unofficial rodeo kick-off celebration at Rockhouse: Rockhouse will host the the unofficial rodeo kick-off celebration. Cowgirls will receive complimentary entry until 10 p.m. and cocktails on-the-house from 10:30 p.m. until midnight, so dress the part.

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Bill Engvall.

Bill Engvall at the Treasure Island Theatre: Blue Collar Comedy star Bill Engvall will be performing live at the Treasure Island Theatre. The star of TBS' The Bill Engvall Show will be doing his hilarious stand-up comedy routine at four special shows. Engvall will be performing on December 3,4, 10 and 11.

Lonestar at the Golden Nugget: Former CMA Vocal Group of the Year Lonestar will be performing classics from their songbook including hits like “Amazed,” “No News," “What About Now” and “My Front Porch Looking In.”

Steve Holy and Star De Azlan at The Tropicana : Steve Holy and special guest Star De Azlan will take the stage in the Tiffany Theatre for the "Men Buy the Drinks (Girls Call the Shots)" concert. Steve Holy will be performing hits such as "Good Morning Beautiful" and "Brand New Girlfriend."

Savannah Jack at The Tropicana: Nashville-based Savannah Jack will bring their high-energy sound to The Celebration Lounge at Tropicana with classic rock and country hits. Savannah Jack will perform nightly through Dec 12.

Friday, Dec. 4:

Billy Childers at the South Point Showroom: Nashville country pop singer Billy Childers will be performing a free show at the South Point Showroom including hits from his A Man's Gotta Do...What a Man's Gotta Do album. Childers will also be performing Dec. 5.

Brooks & Dunn at the Hilton: The 14-time recipients of the Country Music Association's Vocal Duo of the Year award will be performing three nights inside the Hilton Theater songs from their newest album, "Cowboy Town" and classic Brooks & Dunn hits like, "Boot Scootin' Boogie" and "Hard Workin' Man." They will also be performing on Dec. 5 and 6.

Rodeo drink specials at Rockhouse: Rockhouse Bar & Nightclub will be celebrating the rodeo with two-for-one well drinks, domestic bottles and $5 shots from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. all weekend long.

Ray Price at Boulder Station: Ray Price will be performing live at Boulder Station. The country singer famous for such tunes as "Release Me," "You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me" and "Danny Boy," has been making music since the '50s and is still going strong at the age of 83.

Clay Walker at The Golden Nugget: Country artist Clay Walker will bring his hits like “The Chain of Love,” “I Can’t Sleep,” “Rumor Has It” and “Fall” to the Golden Nugget.

Ron White performs at the Mirage: Ron White, best known as the cigar smoking, scotch drinking funnyman from the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, will perform his hilarious stand-up comedy inside the Terry Fator Theatre at The Mirage.

Gloriana at LAX: Country superstars Gloriana will host the party at LAX Nightclub at Luxor. Their debut single, "Wild at Heart," shot to the top of the country charts earlier this year.

Saturday, Dec. 5:

Willie Nelson at Planet Hollywood Theatre for the Performing Arts: Willie Nelson will be performing live at Planet Hollywood Theatre for the Performing Arts. The country crooner known for his signature braids and songs like "Always On My Mind" will be performing all of your favorites from his lengthy career. Asleep at the Wheel will open the show.

Cash'd Out at Aliante Station: Cash'd Out will be performing live at Aliante Station. The San Diego rockabilly group is touted as "the next best thing to Johnny Cash." Come hear for yourself as the tribute band performs all your favorite Cash covers.

Love and Theft at LAX: Nashville country group Love and Theft will host the party at LAX Nightclub at the Luxor. The band's single "Runaway" cracked the top 10 on Billboard's Hot Country chart.

Sunday, Dec. 6:

www.georgestrait.com

George Strait.

George Strait and Reba McIntire at the MGM Grand Garden Arena : Seventeen-time Country Music Association “Entertainer of the Year” nominee George Strait will be preforming live with Reba McIntire at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Lee Ann Womack is set to open the show for this country power duo.

Randy Travis at the Monte Carlo: Country superstar Randy Travis will be performing live inside the Monte Carlo Theatre for one night only. One of best-selling country artists of all time, Travis' lifetime sales have exceeded 20 million units.

The LoneStarlets at The Golden Nugget: Stetson presents The LoneStarlets performing live at The Golden Nugget. Their unique sound stems from their different vocal styles individually meshing into tight three-part harmony. The group will be performing on Dec. 6,7,8 and 9.

Lee Greenwood at The Orleans: Lee Greenwood presents A Tennessee Christmas at the Orleans. His 1983 hit "God Bless the USA" skyrocketed him to fame and garnered him many awards. He brings his holiday favorites to Vegas for this stop over at the Orleans.

Susie Dobbs at the South Point Showroom: Nebraska country singer Susie Dobbs will be performing live at the South Point Showroom for a series of free concerts. Dobbs will be performing on Dec. 6,7,8 and 9.

Tuesday, Dec. 8:

Rodeo drink specials at Rockhouse: Rodeo fans can enjoy Rockhouse’s lowest-priced drink specials, including $25 bottle service, two-for-$5 cans of beer and Cuervo margaritas and Jager bombs for just $5.

Cowboy Karaoke at McFadden's: McFadden's at the Rio presents Cowboy Karaoke with top professional bull riders Rocky McDonald and Beau Hill hosting the party. Anyone who gets up the courage to perform will receive a complimentary cocktail, and cash and prizes will be awarded to the crowd’s favorite performance.

Wednesday, Dec. 9:

Drink specials at Rockhouse: Cowboys and cowgirls can head to Rockhouse for half-off bottle service, 2-for-1 drink specials and no cover before 10 p.m.

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Trace Adkins at the Academy of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 5, 2009.

Trace Adkins at The Pearl: Country star and The Apprentice alum Trace Adkins will be performing live at the Pearl at The Palms. Hope to hear hits like "I Got My Game On," "Ladies Love Country Boys" and "Marry for Money."

Thursday, December 10:

Dierks Bentley at House of Blues: Arizona singer-songwriter Dierks Bentley will be performing for two nights at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay along with Eric Church. Hopefully Bentley will be performing hits like "What Was I Thinkin'," "Come a Little Closer" and "Settle for a Slowdown." He will perform on Dec. 10 and 11.

Short Shorts and Shots at Rockhouse: Rockhouse will host Short Shorts and Shots, where Daisy Dukes are strictly enforced. Cowgirls showing some skin will receive complimentary drinks from 10:30 p.m. to midnight, so be sure to dress the part.

John Michael Montgomery at The Golden Nugget: John Michael Montgomery has been Voted Academy of Country Music’s Top Male Vocalist in the 90s and will entertain the crowd at the Golden Nugget with hits like “Sold,” “Be My Baby Tonight,” “I Swear” and “Life’s A Dance.”

Aaron Watson at the South Point Showroom: Texas country singer Aaron Watson will be performing live at the South Point Showroom for a series of free shows. Watson will be performing Dec. 10, 11 and 12.

Friday, Dec. 11:

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Miranda Lambert at the Academy of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 5, 2009.

Miranda Lambert at the Silverton: After her stint on Nashville Star in 2003 where she became a finalist, Miranda Lambert has shot up the country charts with albums like Kerosene and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. She'll be performing live at the Silverton. Lambert will perform Dec. 11 and 12.

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Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks at Encore Theater at Wynn: Legendary country music singer Garth Brooks is coming out of retirement for a series of special shows at Encore Theater at Wynn. He's the top selling solo artist of the 20th century, according to the Recording Industry Association of America and will be bringing hits like "The Thunder Rolls" and "Friends in Low Places" to the Las Vegas Strip.

Rockhouse drink specials: Rockhouse will host a final round of two-for-one drink specials, domestic bottles and $5 shots from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. to close out the NFR weekend. These specials will be good on Dec. 11 and 12.

Rodney Atkins at The Golden Nugget: Country music star Rodney Atkins will perform hits like “If You’re Going Through Hell,” “It’s America,” “These Are My People” and “15 Minutes” at The Golden Nugget,

Whitney Duncan at LAX: Rising country star Whitney Duncan made her mark on the country scene with Nashville Star and continued her ascent with hits like "When I Said I Would" and "Skinny Dippin." She'll be hosting the party at LAX during the second weekend of NFR.

Saturday, Dec. 12:

Sarah Buxton at LAX: Country singer Sarah Buxton will host the party at LAX Nightclub at Luxor. With hits like "Innocence," "That Kind of Day" and "Space," she is climbing the charts with her newest hit, "Outside My Window."

Larry the Cable Guy at the Mandalay Bay Events Center: Everyone's favorite camo-wearing hick is coming to town for a show at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. Larry the Cable Guy will take the stage with his "Git-r-done" catchphrase and some new jokes sure to make you crack up.