According to preliminary reports, the country music spectacular will feature Dwight Yoakam, Gary Allan, Trick Pony, and Chris Cagle, along with multiplatinum crowd-pleasers Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn.

Last year, the first edition of the Neon Circus saw the duo on the road with Toby Keith, Montgomery Gentry and Keith Urban. Thee tour went on to become the most successful country music outing of the year, earning more than $11.3 million on more than 30 shows.

“We’ve never had that much fun on a tour, ever,” said Brooks, “and Ronnie and I know how to have fun. There’s just something about making an event of it, making it a whole deal that holds it all the aspects and artists together that turns it into a true rolling circus out there.”

Dunn added, “What went on backstage and on the midway was dang near as much fun as what happened on stage, I’ll tell ya.

“We’ve had some pretty big times out on the road, but nothing compared to the Neon Circus – and we figured out a whole bunch of stuff last year that should make this year even better.”

The 2001 tour played major amphitheatres and a few arenas, and it looks like this year’s routing could be similar.

The tentative plan includes 33 shows with the tour starting April 12 in Minneapolis. Other stops include Albany, N.Y.; Sacramento, Calif.; Portland, Ore.; Las Vegas; Denver; Virginia Beach, Va.; Charlotte, N.C.; Tampa; Indianapolis and Milwaukee.

Specific details on the Neon Circus & Wild West aspects of the fest haven’t been revealed but Brooks & Dunn say they’re going to up the ante this time out.

Last year’s all-day show set the precedent with a multilevel stage, integrated video, special lighting design, a confetti cannon and multiple blowers, lots of props, and plenty of pyrotechnics to compliment the music.