Between two of country music’s most recognized acts, 85 awards have been won, 28 discs have been produced, countless No. 1 singles, videos and television appearances have come over the airwaves and literally millions of concert tickets have been sold.

Now, these acts have joined together for the Mobile 1 tour — “Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn.”

“We feel that putting together a show with Reba, the biggest female in country music, and Brooks & Dunn, the biggest duo in country music, is going to be something that fans will definitely want to experience,” Narvel Blackstock, McEntire’s manager, said in a press release.

“Their music is different but very compatible, and both acts have always tried to give the fans the most they possibly can for the ticket price. And that’s the No. 1 thing that’s driven this whole marriage. It’s a way that both artists can give more back to the fans,” he added.

The concert will be different than most concerts because neither act is an opening group for the other. Like any “marriage,” they will be working together.

According to a press release, “they will perform several numbers together during the hit-packed show, which will feature continuous entertainment with no intermission.” Even the opening song will feature both acts.

Success for Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn may seem a bit overwhelming as their story is a bit different than most. Neither grew up playing in bands and when they met, each one was focused on his solo career. Collaboration was not their first thought.

However, during their five years as a duo, Brooks & Dunn have sold over 14 million albums and have won more than 25 major industry awards including the 1996 Country Music Association (CMA) Vocal Duo of the Year, the 1996 CMA Entertainer of the Year and the 1996 Country Music Television Video Duo/Group of the Year.

Brooks & Dunn explain their success in that they take opposite approaches to music.

“You can really see it in our show. Kix is up there jumpin’ around, and I’m standing there, kind of lookin’ out of the corner of my eye,” Dunn said in a press release. “I think the freedom we give each other has a lot to do with it. We each kind of do our own thing, then bring it all together.”

When they combine their styles, what results is a high-energy show that amazes fans, according to Entertainment Weekly.

While on the Mobile 1 tour, Brooks & Dunn will be promoting their latest CD release, “Borderline.”

“‘Borderline’ is a little bit of a left turn for us … I felt like it was time for us to kind of veer off the most traveled path. It sure doesn’t hurt, in today’s climate, to step just a little bit over into what the traditionalists might call ‘progressive,'” Dunn said in a press release.

“Borderline” is described as having “ample flashes of vintage Brooks & Dunn, honky tonk rave-ups and four-Tylenol laments,” according to a press release.

Between Brooks & Dunn’s stage appearances, Reba will take the stage.

Aside from her 18 gold albums, 14 platinum albums, six double platinum albums, five triple platinum albums and one quadruple platinum album, Reba has won virtually every industry award since 1984 and is currently the 1997 People’s Choice Award Favorite Female Musical Performer.

Her latest CD release, “What If It’s You,” is a collection that “finds the country music total reinventing herself as a record marker,” according to a press release.

However, Reba’s career success has gone beyond being a country music icon. She has also become an actress (starring in roles in “Tremors,” “Buffalo Girls” and “The Gambler Returns”), an author (publishing her autobiography in 1994) and a mother.

So, what is the common element between Brooks & Dunn and Reba? Stage presence — both are known to have a history of putting on high-energy multi-million dollar shows that incorporate elaborate sets and high-energy appeal.

As one of country music’s most elaborate tour productions, the Brooks & Dunn and Reba tour caravan will include 40 tons of equipment, 18 tractor-trailers, 10 buses and 88-member crew plus 100 local crew members, and will be rolling into the Hilton Coliseum tonight at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $40.50 and are still available through the Iowa State Center Ticket Office and all TicketMaster locations.