It's that time again: Have camper, keg and cowboy hat, will travel. Despite the economy, the Upper Midwest country-music-and-camping season, which starts next weekend with Winstock, offers more star power than ever. There's no need to make a pilgrimage to Nashville -- local country fans can see most of the music's biggest names this summer at one of these festivals within four hours of the Twin Cities.
WINSTOCK
Fri.-Sat.,Winsted, Minn.
Lineup grade: B
Headliners: Big & Rich; Brooks & Dunn.
Also check out: Heidi Newfield and "American Idol" contestants Kristy Lee Cook and Casey Carlson.
Take a siesta during: Billy Currington.
Comment: The little-fest-that-could, a mere 35 miles west of Minneapolis, is a fundraiser for Winsted's Holy Trinity Catholic School.
Info: www.winstockfestival.com
COUNTRY SPLASH
June 18-20, Somerset, Wis.
Lineup grade: B-plus
Headliners: Travis Tritt, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts.
Also check out: Darius Rucker, Miranda Lambert.
Take a siesta during: Clay Walker.
Comment: In its second year, this fest is undergoing a major upgrade. The opening day looks modest, so consider a day trip for Friday (Chesney, Lambert) or Saturday (Rascal Flatts, Rucker). Info: www.countrysplash.com
COUNTRY FEST
June 25-28, Cadott, Wis.
Lineup grade: A-minus
Headliners: Taylor Swift, Montgomery Gentry, Brad Paisley, George Strait.
Also check out: Jamey Johnson, Joey & Rory.
Take a siesta during: Chuck Wicks.
Comment: From the central Twin Cities it's only a two-hour drive to this rural site, where they also stage Rock Fest in July with Steve Miller Band, Korn, Sheryl Crow and others.
Info: www.countryfest.com
COUNTRY JAM
July 23-25, Eau Claire, Wis.
Lineup grade: C
Headliners: Tim McGraw, .38 Special, Gary Allan.
Also check out: Heidi Newfield.
Take a siesta during: .38 Special.
Comment: For my money, Phil Vassar and Sawyer Brown, who appear second to last, are stronger than the headliners on the final two nights.
Info: www.countryjam.com
WE FEST
Aug. 6-8, Detroit Lakes, Minn.
Lineup grade: B-plus
Headliners: Toby Keith, Brooks & Dunn, Tim McGraw.
Also check out: Joey & Rory.
Take a siesta during: Kellie Pickler.
Comment: Hello? Taylor Swift, who performs Aug. 7, should be headlining instead of Brooks & Dunn that night. Teenagers like to stay up late.
Info: www.wefest.com
Jon Bream • 612-673-1719