This week, Las Vegas gets back to its country western roots as the city welcomes the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center, Dec. 2-11. As cowboys, cowgirls and fans of the rodeo celebrate all over town, there’s one property that should be on every NFR attendees’ radar—Golden Nugget. The resort hosts a slew of rodeo-related events, including a grand lineup of concerts with some of country music’s biggest stars.

Jo Dee Messina kicks things off on Dec. 2. After releasing her first hit single, “Heads Carolina, Tails California,” in the late ’90s, the Massachusetts native earned two top-10 hits off her debut album and then continued to steadily climb the charts. By 2001, Messina earned another chart-topper, “Bring On the Rain,” a duet with Tim McGraw. With more than 16 top-40 songs, nine No. 1 hits and more than five million albums sold, the country crooner has built a reputation as a champion for female empowerment by creating her own record label and releasing her most personal album to date, 2014’s Me.

It was one song that took country artist John Michael Montgomery—who performs on Dec. 4—from known artist to national star. After parting ways from the duo Montgomery Gentry, the Kentucky native released his first solo single “Life’s a Dance,” in 1992 and then took an upwards trajectory with more than 30 hit singles on Billboard’s country charts and the recording of 10 studio albums. Mega hits like “I Love the Way You Love Me,” “I Swear,” “Be My Baby Tonight” and “I Can Love You Like That” all reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts.

On Dec. 5, longtime country music veteran Ray Wylie Hubbard takes the stage along with his band to belt out his signature mix of country, folk and blues. While the Oklahoma native began his career in the late ’70s, it was by the late ’90s that new generations began to discover his outlaw country-style music. Fans should expect that Hubbard will perform some of his new music off 2020 album Co-Starring.

Another seasoned country music star takes the stage Dec. 6. With more than 50 years under his belt in the music industry, Ronnie Milsap, the blind singer and musician never let his handicap get in the way of his love for performing. It was said that Ray Charles heard Milsap sing and play piano and told the young artist that he could hear the music inside him, thereby sealing his fate as one of music’s biggest stars, one whose combination of classic country tunes with soulful blues has resulted in nearly 40 No. 1 hits, more than 35 million albums sold and a place in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Another country artist with more than three dozen singles that made it onto the Billboard charts, Tracy Lawrence takes the Golden Nugget stage on Dec. 7. His honky-tonk musical style has helped him reach No. 1 on the singles charts eight times with hits like “Sticks and Stones,” “If the Good Die Young,” “Time Marches On” and “Find Out Who Your Friends Are.”

While it doesn’t get more country—and therefore American—than rodeo, Canadian native Terri Clark has scored big successes in the States since the mid-’90s and continues her country music reign with six No. 1 singles including mega hits “Emotional Girl,” “If I Were You” and “Poor Pitiful Me.” Since the holiday season is in full swing, fans might get a treat this concert when Clark sings some songs from her first holiday album, 2020’s It’s Christmas…Cheers!

Speaking of seasons, seasoned country star John Anderson has spent more than four decades in the music industry producing 60 charting country singles and continues to churn out albums like 2020’s introspective Years. Heavily influenced by not just country music but rock ’n’ roll greats like Jimi Hendrix and The Rolling Stones, Anderson’s unique vocals and guitar skills made him a country music standout with No. 1 singles like “Wild and Blue,” “Straight Tequila Night” and “Money in the Bank.” Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014, the elderly statesman takes the Golden Nugget stage on Dec. 9.

Closing out NFR festivities is favorite country music songwriter-turned-performer Jamey Johnson, performing on Dec. 10. After co-writing hit songs for big names like Trace Adkins, Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson, the Alabama native made his debut as a singer with his hit single “The Dollar” off his first album of the same name. By 2007, Johnson hit it big with an Academy of Country Music win for Song of the Year with “Give It Away,” followed by another Song of the Year win in 2009 with “In Color.” By 2012, Johnson scored a Grammy nomination for Best Country Album for his fourth studio album, Living for a Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran, where he paired up with country stars like Emmylou Harris, George Strait and Vince Gill in a critically acclaimed dedication to country music great Cochran.

In addition to the live acts, NFR fans can check out Golden Nugget’s roundup of country fashion by stopping into the property’s retail store Style & Trend. A large assortment of country western accessories and clothing will get folks looking head-to-toe rodeo—we’ve highlighted some popular pieces throughout this feature. If even more style and primping is needed, head to Golden Nugget’s spa and salon to inquire about treatment specials.

More Golden Nugget happenings:

In the Grand Foyer, from noon-2 p.m. daily, barrel racers will sign autographs.

Head to the Grand Event Center for free NFR viewing, beginning at 6 p.m. Dec. 2-11.

Nightlife: Party and enjoy live music Dec. 1-5 & 8-12 inside Rush Lounge with bands including Brett Rigby Band and Wolfcreek.

Get a free boot shine at the Crown Royal boot shine stand, located across from Ice Bar.

Free shuttles will run from the Carson Tower to the Thomas & Mack Center.

Golden Nugget, Ticketmaster.com

For a look at some of the country-themed products available at Golden Nugget, click here.

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