Academy Award winning country music star Collin Raye will be appearing at Don Laughlin's Riverside, March 28-April 2 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $34.50, call 702-298-2535 or 928-763-7070.

Today, Raye is known among the industry for his distinctively strong tenor vocal skills and No. 1 one hits such as "That's My Story," "Little Rock" and "One Boy, One Girl."

Country giant Trace Adkins brings his Honky Tonk Badonkadonk Tour to the Flamingo on Saturday, April 1 at 8:00 p.m. In just under a decade, he's sold millions of records, won dozens of awards and his CDs are either gold or platinum-certified. He's also become a member of the Grand Ole Opry - an honor he claims sits among the biggest highlights of his career. Tickets for his show are $25 and $30, call 800-435-8469.

"Honky Tonk Badonkadonk," is from Adkins' latest Platinum-certified CD, "Songs About Me" that made its debut at the top of the Country Albums chart in March 2005. The song has become one of the fastest-rising singles of his career and was recently certified Gold for digital sales. "Badonkadonk" was also the No. 1 country-dance track of 2005, as voted on by over 200 country music clubs and dance instructors nationwide.

The Flamingo will be hosting the Adkins' concert during the 12th Annual Laughlin River Stampede PRCA Rodeo being held March 30 through April 2 at the Laughlin Events Center.

The Dream King of Rock 'n Roll, Trent Carlini, will be back by popular demand at Don Laughlin's Riverside April 4 though 9. Tickets are $26 for the 8 p.m. shows.

Carlini's show allows audiences to travel back in time and relive the Elvis magic. This world famous Elvis tribute artist leaves audiences mesmerized by his incredible vocal range, high-energy charisma and uncanny resemblance to the King.

Being an Elvis fan through his entire childhood, Carlini decided to devote his career to honoring a man who had influenced his life so much. Named by the European media the "New King of the 21st Century," Carlini has also been named the world's best King-like performer and has performed to sold-out audiences worldwide.

The Demolition Derby, sponsored by the Morning Kiwanis Cub of Bullhead City, will take place on Saturday, April 8. The event starts at the Avi's Special Event Area at dusk. Tickets are $10, $6 for students 6-16, and free for children five and under.

The Ramada Express in association with "A Really Big Shewr" will present a special benefit show with proceeds going to the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Colorado River on Friday, April 7 at 8 p.m. in the American Heroes Pavilion. The show is a tribute to Ed Sullivan and his popular TV variety show that ran from the 50s to the early 70s. The recreated show features an assortment of acts including music, comedy, impersonations, dancing, juggling, and magic.

Tickets are $15 at all area Boys and Girls Clubs locations and will be sold at the Ramada Express Ticket Window starting at 1:30 p.m. on the day of the show and at the door. "A Really Big Shew" is intended to be for adults; however, this show is "G" rated, with no age restriction and the comedians' acts will not be too racy.

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The Colorado Belle will host its first Country Battle of the Bands at 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 1, outdoors under a canopy in the Center Circle event area west of the casino's main entrance. Bands will compete for over $2,000 in cash and prizes awarded through third place. Seven bands have been selected to compete from among the bands that entered the contest. Three beautiful young women - Miss Rodeo America, Miss Rodeo Nevada and Miss Rodeo Arizona will participate in judging in the event.

Spectators can cast ballots too for the "People's Choice" awards. First place is $100 in certificates valid at any of the Colorado Belle's six dine-in restaurants or the Main Gift Shop. Second place pays $75 in certificates and third place pays $50 in certificates.

You can win a plush Easter bunny toy at the Golden Nugget through April 16 with every jackpot of $1,000 or greater hit on machines; with a suited blackjack with $10 or greater bet at a live blackjack game; and /or with a $5 straight up wager on roulette.

The Ramada is holding an Employment Fair on Sunday, April 9 and Monday, April 10 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Ramada Express Pavilion Theater. To see a list of job openings go to their website. To apply by telephone, call 1-877-364-6402, toll-free.

From March 29 through April 2 at the Colorado Belle, visitors earn drawing tickets to play Spin & Win for a share of $5,000 in "Cowboy Cash" that is up for grabs. There are many ways to get drawing tickets, including joining the One Club (free to join!), cashing a check for $100 or more at the main cage, staying in the hotel and playing your favorite casino games.

Drawings to play Spin & Win for Cowboy Cash will start at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 29. Three contestants will be selected each night. Each contestant will draw an envelope containing a $5, $10, $20, $50 or $100 voucher and then spin the wheel to win 10, 15 or 20 times the amount of the voucher. Complete details will be posted at the Grand Staircase and the One Club Booth.

Poker was the stuff of the Old West, which was a reinforced image in the old western movies. For many years, we saw poker fade out of the casino limelight, but that is far from the case now. Poker is back in a big way and most properties offer special promotions.

The Edgewater, in addition to its Sunday Ultimate Poker Challenge featuring Texas Hold 'Em, has Poker Room Pingo. Individual prizes range from $25 to $500 with a potential for $1,450 a month. This is an ongoing promotion for poker players in 7-Card Stud and Texas Hold 'Em games 24 hours a day.

Players cover 24 combinations of patterns on a special "bingo-style" card based on qualifying hands they get in regular poker play. Each pattern has a value from $25 to $500. This means a player can potentially earn up to $1,450 a month by making and turning in all the card combinations. Players can get Pingo cards at the poker podium.

The Edgewater also offers another twist on the game. "Aces Cracked Wins A Rack" gives players who are dealt a pair of pocket aces and lose at the conclusion of the hand win a $100 rack of chips. This bonus offer is valid daily from 10 a.m. to noon and 5 to 7 p.m.

Other special poker offerings are taking place at the River Palms, Flamingo, Avi, Ramada Express, Riverside, Harrah's and Colorado Belle.

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