Country singing star Tracy Lawrence will headline Harrah's Rio Vista Outdoor Amphitheater on July 9 at 10 p.m. Tickets are $20, $25 and $30, call 1-800-447-8700.

The release of Lawrence's first album "Strong" for DreamWorks Records in 2004 served as a potent reminder that Lawrence is one of the premiere voices of his generation. By age 35, he has posted more No. 1 Billboard country singles than most country greats.

Lawrence, the product of a rough-and-tumble childhood in Foreman, Ark., was playing at music jamborees at 15 and in honky-tonks at 17. He moved to Nashville in 1990 in a 10-year-old Toyota Corolla with expired tags, no insurance, only three cylinders and a fan with a piece of wire around it to cool the car. While working a series of side jobs, he entered singing contests around town, regularly winning first prize. A live appearance on a Kentucky radio station and a showcase at Nashville's famed Bluebird Café led to him signing in 1991 with Atlantic Records.

Lawrence's debut album was "Sticks And Stones" in 1991 and boasted four Top 10 country hits. His second album, "Alibis" in 1993, spawned four straight No. 1 smashes. During the mid-'90s, he was No. 2 on the list of most-played artists in all genres. From there, he garnered more hit albums and won many music awards.

Don Laughlin's Riverside is putting on a third floor poolside Independence Day celebration feast and a fireworks display at 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 2. The all-you-can-eat dinner includes a 14-ounce T-bone steak. Tickets will be $16.99 for adults and $7.99 without steak for children five to 12 years old and go on sale June 28. For information, call 702-298-2535 or 928-763-7070.

Sign-ups will begin on July 1, for the $50,000 Colorado Belle / Edgewater 2005 NFL Contest. Each week $1,700 will be awarded to the top four contestants. In addition, each half-season the top 100 contestants will share $10,550- including $3,000 for first place-based on their win / loss records over the half-season. The $20 entry fee covers the entire season and there's a limit of 10 entries per person.

To participate, contestants pick each Sunday's and Monday's winning teams--no point spreads. People who miss entering the contest prior to the first game of the season can still get into the action for the second half. Contest cards will be accepted in advance for all or any portion of the season. All winners' names will be posted at both the Edgewater and Colorado Belle Sports Books. Contestants must be 21 or older. Complete details will be posted in the Sports Book at both resorts.

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"Superstars Live in Concert" produced by Barrie Cunningham will be the musical variety show playing this summer from June 21-Aug. 31 at the Riverside. The show will feature tribute performances by look and sound alike artists with back-up singers and dancers, and the All Star Band. The patriotic finale will have a tribute to Neil Diamond.

Cunningham, who stars in the show, plays the Diamond and Jimmy Buffett roles. Shows will highlight at least three other tribute artists and some acts will change for the second half of the summer run. Other tributes may include: The Blues Brothers, Toby Keith, Shania Twain, Tim McGraw, Marilyn Monroe, Madonna, among others. Tickets are $23, call 1-800-227-3849.

Laughlin plans many town-wide events throughout the year and the next big one will be "Rockets Over The River" on July 2 and 4. Two separate 20-minute fireworks displays will take place on Saturday and Monday nights at 9 p.m. and be choreographed to music. The ideal viewing for the free fireworks shows will be from the Riverwalk. For information, call 1-800-227-5245.

The Avi Resort also has plans to put on an annual Fourth of July fireworks display on July 3 one hour after dusk. The free display will be put on by the famous Zambelli fireworks company.

The Marshall Tucker Band (MTB) will headline in the Flamingo Laughlin Ballroom on June 25 at 9 p.m. Tickets are $19.95 and $24.95 plus tax, call 800-435-8469.

MTB got its start in Spartanburg, S.C., and borrowed the name "Marshall Tucker" from a piano tuner whose name was found on a key ring in their old rehearsal space. In 1972, they signed with Capricorn Records, and in 1973, they toured as an opening act for The Allman Brothers. The following year, they began to headline their own shows across America due to the platinum-plus sales of their debut album. They continue to play more than 150 shows a year, and sometimes as many as 200 shows.

The MTB earned seven gold and three platinum albums while they were on the Capricorn Records label. During the '90s, MTB scored four hit singles on Billboard's country chart and one on Billboard's gospel chart. Their music has also been featured on the soundtracks of movies such as "Smokey and the Bandit," "The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper," and "Shipwrecked."

The Flying Tigers will be the subject of Jim Easterbrook's presentation at the free American Veterans Speaker Program on Tuesday, June 28, at 1 p.m. at the Ramada Express.

Easterbrook, a former Air Force Officer, actor, historian and Tucson resident, will tell the story of the incredible World War II group of men known as the Flying Tigers and the P-40 (Curtiss Warhawk) airplane. Through extensive research and conversation with actual AVG (American Volunteer Group) pilots, Easterbrook has discovered little known facts and exciting details about the beleaguered little band of three squadrons that was always outnumbered, but never outfought.

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