Kick the dirt out of your cowboy boots and put on your dancin’ … boots. As the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo tosses a rope around Vegas from Dec. 3-12, a barrelful of gold-star performers are headed in, to amp up the party vibe on the Strip and downtown.
Reba, Brooks & Dunn
The two-act, three-legend residency promises a rollicking night of hits and charm, using country to rock the house. Capping a night of classics—the stars perform separately and together—is the infectious sing-along/dance-along when Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn launch their anthemic “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.” Then stand awed when Reba McEntire belts out her signature “Fancy.” (Caesars Palace, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1-2, 4, 6-9 & 11-12, $59.50-$205 plus tax and fee. 888.929.7849)
Rodney Carrington
Relying on a trademark combo of stand-up and ribald original songs—Carrington launched his career with a song addressed to his private parts—the comedian brings in the funny stuff. Lend your ears to daring takes on dating, love, marriage, family, divorce and religion, plus some R-rated comedy tunes, the titles of which we won’t dare print here. (MGM Grand, 10 p.m. Dec. 3-12, $59.99-$89.99 plus tax and fee. 800.745.3000 Ticketmaster)
Big & Rich
Big & Rich
Big Kenny and John Rich deliver eclectic hits—from the puckishly titled “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)” to the Vietnam War-themed “8th of November”—as they tour to support their album, Gravity, and its singles such as “Look at You” and “Lovin’ Lately.” As Rolling Stone said, the release “takes their lyrical prowess and signature harmonies to new levels.” (Golden Nugget, 10 p.m. Dec. 4, starting at $49 plus tax and fee. 866.946.5336)
Bill Engvall
With his slow-burn delivery, the comedian is a keeper of the old-school storytelling style of comedy, spinning out monologues about such wide-ranging topics as aging, mysterious-looking French food, oddball mothers-in-law and his 2013 Dancing with the Stars run. Sample Engvall joke: “(Dogs are) man’s best friend, ’cause guys want buddies that are dumber than they are. So do women, but they’ve already got men.” (Treasure Island, 9 p.m. Dec. 4, starting at $59.95 plus tax and fee, 16+. 702.894.7722)
Josh Turner
Josh Turner
Banking on a rich vocal quality, the singer/actor—one of the youngest members of the Grand Ole Opry—comes armed with hits including “Your Man,” “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” “Firecracker,” “Would You Go with Me,” “I Wouldn’t Be a Man” and “Me and God.” Attending his concerts, it has been said, amounts to seeing “the hardest-working country singer on the planet.” (The Orleans, 8 p.m. Dec. 4-5, starting at $54.95 plus tax and fee. 702.284.7777)
Little Big Town
Truly a melodic democracy—members Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook and Phillip Sweet rotate as lead singers—this country vocal ensemble is a study in harmonic convergence (and we don’t mean meditation). You’ll find the hits are many—“Pontoon,” “Girl Crush,” “Boondocks,” “Bring It On Home,” “Little White Church,” “Tornado” and “Day Drinking,” among others—and the sounds sublime. (The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel, 8 p.m. Dec. 4, starting at $35 plus tax and fee. 888.929.7849)
Ron White
Ron White
Check your ID—make sure you’re a grown-up before experiencing White’s show. Laughs come from the edgy side via this veteran funnyman. Known for his stage pose—cradling a glass of Black Grouse Scotch and clutching a cigar—White made his bones alongside Bill Engvall, Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy on the Blue Collar Comedy Tour. Sample joke: “People say I’m an alcoholic. Not true. I only drink when I work and I’m a workaholic.” (The Mirage, 10 p.m. Dec. 4-5, starting at $59.99 plus tax and fee, 16+. 702.792.7777)
Trace Adkins
Superstardom is supersized in the persona of Adkins, the troubadour with the baritone power pipes. Adkins has landed more than 20 singles on the Billboard country music charts, including “Ladies Love Country Boys” and “You’re Gonna Miss This.” Sum up his Vegas return with another Trace tune: “Cowboy’s Back in Town.” (Golden Nugget, 10 p.m. Dec. 5, starting at $99 plus tax and fee. 866.946.5336)
