Most country acts will be popping their corks in private on New Year’s Eve. But a few zealous souls will get their first glimpse of 2005 through the heartwarming glare of spotlights at clubs, casinos and arenas around the nation. Here’s who’s playing where:
• Billy Joe Royal at the Louisiana Convention Center in Alexandria, La.
• Buck Owens, Brad Paisley and Dwight Yoakam at the Crystal Palace in Bakersfield, Calif.
• Confederate Railroad at the Dakota Magic Casino in Hankinson, N.D.
• Exile at the Grand Resort Hotel in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
• Gene Watson at the Texas City Convention Center in Texas City, Texas.
• Joe Diffie at Cactus Pete’s in Jackpot, Nev.
• Julie Roberts at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville.
• Michael Peterson at the Newport Performing Arts Center in Newport, Ore.
• Montgomery Gentry, Trace Adkins, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Blue County at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky.
• Pat Green at the Gwinett Center in Duluth, Ga.
• Robert Earl Keen at the Hobby Center in Houston.
• Sawyer Brown at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla.
• The Del McCoury Band at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
• Toby Keith and Terri Clark at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville.
• Tracy Lawrence at Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth, Texas.
Edward Morris