I did this a few years ago.. if you REALLY want to do it right, you'll need a 5-string - notes below E are all over the place in the newer country stuff over the past almost-10 years.
Yeah.. Keep it simple and don't step on the other players. Root five is really kind of a joy to play and actually a little more difficulty than you may think at first.
I use a Stingray 4 string strung w group III flats and never had any problems. There is always dropped D or C# for the low stuff.
I spent Saturday on a flatbed trailer in a VFW parking lot playing, guess what, country music. Some modern, some old, some rock thrown in for good measure. My SR5 did it all, including a long solo bass run to introduce "Runaway." The 'Ray did fine.
Me, I was a catfish on a griddle. That will be my last flatbed trailer gig in the hot Texas sun gig ever. I like to think that my heart is still young, but the rest of me seems to be aging a bit faster.