Country duo Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn have firmed up their tour plans for the winter and spring, and will focus on markets and venues smaller than their elaborate productions of recent years.

Brooks & Dunn [ tickets ] headed up the Neon Circus & Wild West Show for the last three years, a festival that featured multiple acts and a carnival theme.

"I know we've said this before, but we do pay attention to what the fans tell us through our website," Dunn said in a statement. "The Neon Circus is a huge deal and not every city has a venue that can accommodate the side show, the production, heck, just the sheer amount of trucks … and we don't want to miss the people who want to hear this music. So, Kix and I figured this would be a good year to see some new places."

Joe Nichols, whose budding career was given a further push when he won last year's Horizon Award from the Country Music Association, will open from Feb. 12 through April, and fellow up-and-comer Josh Turner will also hold down a support slot on the tour.

Besides the headlining jaunt, Brooks & Dunn are scheduled to appear at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, RodeoHouston and at several 2004 country-music festivals.

Brooks & Dunn continue to support their latest album, "Red Dirt Road," which they released last July. In November, Brooks & Dunn won the CMA Award for Vocal Duo of the Year for the 11th time.

Last year's edition of the Neon Circus & Wild West show featured Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley, Aaron Lines and Jeff Bates.