Kenny Chesney returning to Wells Fargo Arena

Kenny Chesney has become something of the Jimmy Buffett of country music, with his annual tours being the biggest party of the year for fans. Sadly, Chesney didn't tour last summer, leaving fans lost and wandering in the party wilderness. Things are different in 2011, and that Chesney-shaped hole in our hearts will be filled when he kicks off his "Goin' Coastal" arena tour March 24 at Wells Fargo Arena.

Tickets start at $22 and range up to $79.50 and go on sale Jan. 21 through dahlstickets.com. Longtime friends Billy Currington and Uncle Kracker are set to open.

Chesney's latest album, "Hemingway's Whiskey," came out in September and has already spawned two top five hits, "The Boys of Fall" (which hit #1) and "Somewhere With You." Both are also top 40 hits on the mainstream charts, so the new album seems to be showing a strong crossover appeal.

Fun fact: The Des Moines show is two days before Chesney's birthday. He'll be 43.