Central Arkansas is never going to draw all the big concerts. We’re too small and our demographics don’t match up with the fanbases of some of the world’s biggest pop stars (in other words, sadly, there probably aren’t enough of us willing to shell out $50 or more to see Lady Gaga or Kanye). But when it comes to contemporary country, you’d think we were Nashville for the concerts we get. To wit, every winner (and most of the nominees) of this year’s Country Music Association Awards played Central Arkansas in 2010 or late 2009. Here’s just a sampling of the names who played in 2010: Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, Brooks and Dunn, George Strait, Reba, Willie Nelson, Randy Travis, Miranda Lambert, Marty Stuart, Lee Ann Womack, Joe Nichols, Darius Rucker, Easton Corbin, Martina McBride, Hank Williams Jr., Trace Adkins, Loretta Lynn, Justin Moore and Gary Allan.

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