
Alan Jackson is laying out his tour plans for early 2004, including the first of an extensive round of co-headlining dates with fellow multi-platinum county star Martina McBride .
Jackson has so far scheduled five shows with McBride, as well as two dates that will feature Joe Nichols in the opening slot. Three festival appearances are also on Jackson's schedule for the New Year.
The Country Music Association recently awarded Jackson its Male Vocalist of the Year award, and McBride took home the Female Vocalist of the Year trophy at the same ceremony. Jackson also won his second consecutive Entertainer of the Year Award.
"Greatest Hits Volume II and Some Other Stuff," the latest release from Jackson, sold more than 328,000 copies in the U.S. during its first week in stores this August, and debuted at No. 1 on the pop and country album charts.
Along with 18 well-known songs from throughout Jackson's career, the best-of set features two new tracks: "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere," which he recorded earlier this year with Jimmy Buffett at Buffett's Key West studio, and the Jackson-penned track "Remember When."
Jackson, a Georgia native, has become one of country music's most bankable acts over the years, and has sold more than 36 million albums since his 1989 debut, "Here in the Real World," according to his label.
McBride released "Martina," her first new studio album since 1999's "Emotion," in September. She is currently in the midst of a month-long holiday tour.