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Lawrence tops Fest bill With bus, Bonnett's set for the big time The future of folk A fitting day for superdad: Cosby delivers superb humor Arizona Opera slashes management, cuts pay Brisket, BBQ are a family affair Are you ready for some Williams? Our favorite TV dad here for Father's Day Thousands in donations assure more parks concerts in the fall Aisle seats: Arts picks for the week

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After years of feeling slighted, Arizona's biggest annual country music event promises to be big again.

April's Country Thunder USA festival in Florence is getting a swift kick in the Wranglers under new owners Brian Andrews and Troy Vollhoffer.

The two men, 25-year veterans of concert productions in the United States and Canada, are bringing in superstars Alan Jackson and Tim McGraw to headline the 16th annual festival April 1-4.

That's a far cry from headliners of recent years. The slate read more like a showcase of up-and-comers and already-beens than premium acts that would warrant the 90-minute drive from Tucson.

The four-day festival at Canyon Moon Ranch in Florence benefits from top-notch artists making their way to Vegas for the 44th annual Academy of Country Music Awards April 5. In addition to McGraw and Jackson, the lineup includes Montgomery Gentry, Little Big Town, Blake Shelton, Rodney Atkins, Neal McCoy, Keith Anderson and the Zac Brown Band, with other acts to be announced.

Other country concerts on tap for 2009 include:

• Feb. 28 — Aaron Tippin, Desert Diamond Casino.

• April 19 — Kenny Rogers, Desert Diamond Casino.

• May 23 — Julianne Hough, Desert Diamond Casino.

• Jan. 25 — Willie Nelson, Dodge Theatre.

• Feb. 3 — Josh Turner, Mesa Arts Center.

• March 12 — Rascal Flatts, Cricket Wireless Pavilion.

• March 25 — Kathy Mattea, Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts.

• July 25 — Montgomery Gentry, Chase Field.

• Aug. 9 — The Charlie Daniels Band, with Billy Ray Cyrus, Lee Greenwood and Michael W. Smith, Jobing.com Arena.