BLOOMINGTON - First-timer Alan Jackson shouldn't have trouble finding his way around the U.S. Cellular Coliseum tonight.

Not with old buddy Trace Adkins around to lead the way.

As country music fans doubtless know by now, Adkins has logged more Coliseum time than any other performer in the venue's short history.

In fact, when Adkins takes to the stage with headliner Jackson and fellow guest James Otto at 7:30 tonight, he'll have set a local concert record: as the star making the most appearances in the shortest stretch of time at the same venue (three times in less than two years, first in March 2007, next in February of this year, both as a concert headliner).

Toss in his August stint at the Illinois State Fair grandstand, and you can hardly spit and not hit Adkins hereabouts.

Jackson, however, is another matter.

For his first headliner concert in the Twin Cities, Jackson declined a GO! interview request, befitting his status as one of country's upper-echelon performers who can sell tickets without needing the press to do so (a new block of tickets was released by the Coliseum earlier this week, so fans worrying about a sellout have been given a reprieve; call the box office at (866) 891-9992 for the latest status).

Considered one of "new country's" premier voices and performers, Jackson (who turns 50 a week from Friday) has been a force to contend with since his breakthrough some 20 years ago.

The Newman, Ga., native followed a familiar trajectory in his rise to the top: started his own band after high school, was inspired by the likes of Hank Williams Jr. and eventually moved to Nashville to seek his fame and fortune.

In a sign of the times (mid-'80s), Jackson landed a gig in the mailroom of The Nashville Network before it morphed into the unrecognizable entity it is today (Spike) and eventually curried the favor of veteran singer Glen Campbell.

A label deal with commercially lucrative Arista Records followed, culminating in Jackson's 1989 album debut, "Here in the Real World," which came out of the box a fully-formed hit, something encored by his sophomore release, 1991's "Don't Rock the Jukebox."

The peak of Jackson's first career phase came with album No. 3, 1992's "A Lot About Livin' (And a Little 'bout Love)," which spun off nearly half a dozen hit singles at the same time that three songs co-written for Randy Travis were riding high on charts.

Within his first six years, Jackson had scored enough hits (17) to produce his first "Greatest Hits Collection."

A staunch country traditionalist, the singer has been criticized for his own criticisms of country's move into pop-rock territory, a topic set to music via his controversial collaboration with George Strait, "Murder on Music Row" (referring to the death by force of traditional country music).

On the personal front, Jackson wed his high school sweetheart Denise, then separated from her a decade ago. Divorce was avoided and the couple reconciled. That train of marital events was charted in one of his signature anthems, "Remember When."

Over his 20-year run, Jackson has amassed a veritable trophy room of awards, including eight Academy of Country Music awards and 13 Country Music Association honors.

The Grammys, however, have been somewhat less forthcoming, with the singer snaring only one: Best Country Song for 2001's 9/11-themed hit, "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)."

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At a glance

What: Alan Jackson, with Trace Adkins and James Otto

When: 7:30 tonight

Where: U.S. Cellular Coliseum, 101 S. Madison St., Bloomington

Tickets: $38.50 to $78

Box office number: (866) 891-9992