Kenny Chesney and Mark Collie open the show on all dates of the outing, which starts in Albuquerque, N.M., June 20 and runs through August. Forty-one dates have been announced and tickets are already on sale in some markets.

Fans are undoubtedly eager to hears songs off McGraw’s latest hit album, Set This Circus Down, but his concert material will span his career. He has plenty of tunes to choose from; the 34-year-old Grammy winner has released 14 No. 1 songs and that total could rise by the time the tour rolls out.

Along with the publicity generated by the tour announcement and hit album, McGraw and compadre Chesney are making news of a different kind.

McGraw is on trial in Orchard Park, N.Y., for several misdemeanor offenses. He and Chesney were arrested last June after performing at the George Strait Country Music Festival near Buffalo. Erie County Sheriff’s deputies said Chesney rode away on a police horse and McGraw tussled with police who tried to pull Chesney off the animal.

McGraw is charged with assault, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration and harassment – misdemeanors punishable by up to a year in prison. Chesney faces a disorderly conduct violation and could face 15 days in jail.

The incident didn’t do much to dampen the public’s demand for McGraw last year. He and wife Faith Hill had enormous success with their Soul2Soul road trip, which ranked No. 5 on Pollstar’s list of the top 100 tours of 2000. The couple performed for almost 1 million people over the course of 66 shows, and earned $48.8 million in the process.