Roundup of Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo entertainers

The 58th Annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo boasts an entertainment lineup of multiplatinum selling chart toppers and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers for the four nights of the rodeo.

Lynyrd Skynyrd (Wednesday)

Lynyrd Skynyrd was formed in 1964 by Ronnie Van Zant, Allen Collins and Gary Rossington. After several years and name changes, Lynyrd Skynyrd signed with MCA Records in 1972. After the release of its self-titled debut album, Lynyrd Skynyrd toured with The Who and quickly built a large fan base.

Released Aug. 13, 1973, Lynyrd Skynyrd's self-titled album produced hits that have become timeless, such as "Tuesday's Gone" and "Simple Man." The closing track of the album, "Freebird," became a rock anthem for the ages, featured in film ("Forrest Gump" in 1994 and "Elizabethtown" in 2005) and used as Lynyrd Skynyrd's traditional closing song when the band performs live.

"Sweet Home Alabama" was Lynyrd Skynyrd's breakthrough hit in 1974, reaching No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. The album that carries this song, "Second Helping," eventually went multiplatinum.

In 1977 a plane crash claimed the lives of guitarist Steve Gaines, vocalist Cassie Gaines, lead vocalist Ronnie Van Zant and three others on board. The rest of the band was badly injured. Lynyrd Skynyrd did not perform as Lynyrd Skynyrd again until 1987.

The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.

Lynyrd Skynyrd's latest album, "God & Guns," is due out Sept. 29 with the current lineup of Johnny Van Zant (vocals), Gary Rossington, Rickey Medlocke, Mark "Sparky" Matejka (all on guitar), Michael Cartellone (drums), Robert Kearns (bass), Peter "Keys" Pisarczyk (keyboards) and Dale Krantz Rossington and Carol Chase (both on backing vocals).

It is the band's first album of new material since 2003's "Vicious Cycle."

Tracy Lawrence

Tracy Lawrence (Thursday)

Tracy Lawrence has had more than 30 singles on the Billboard country music charts since his debut album, "Sticks and Stones," was released in 1991 by Atlantic Records. The title track spent a week at No. 1 in January 1992 and was followed by several other hits. His first album cemented Lawrence's success, receiving certified platinum status and scoring Lawrence Billboard's Top New Male Vocalist award.

Lawrence's catalog of songs runs the gamut from honky-tonk dance tunes to heartfelt ballads. Since his beginnings in Nashville nearly 20 years ago, he has had more No. 1 Billboard country singles than many country artists. His second album, "Alibis," had four No. 1 hits: "Can't Break It To My Heart," "My Second Home," "If the Good Die Young" and the title track. The album went double-platinum, as did his fourth album "Time Marches On," which produced a title track that was Lawrence's longest-standing No. 1.

"The Rock," Lawrence's latest release, features a lineup of Christian songs and is released on Lawrence's own label, Rocky Comfort Records, which he runs with his brother, Laney Lawrence. "Up to Him" is the first single from the album, and "The Rock" was nominated for a Grammy in the best southern, country or bluegrass gospel album category.

Jamey Johnson

Jamey Johnson (Aug. 13)

Country music artist Jamey Johnson is best known for his song "In Color," from his 2008 album "That Lonesome Song." "In Color" paints a story of a man looking back at his life in black-and-white pictures.

Originally released online, the album grabbed the attention of Mercury Nashville Records. It signed Johnson, and "That Lonesome Song" was released to stores in August 2008; by April 2009, the album was certified Gold by the RIAA.

Before recording, Johnson attended college for two years at Jacksonville State University in Florida. He signed on with the Marine Corps Reserves and served for eight years, reaching the rank of corporal. After his service, he began playing around Montgomery, Ala., where he was raised.

Johnson got his feet wet in Nashville's country music scene as a songwriter, writing hits such as "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk," which was released by Trace Adkins on his 2005 album "Songs About Me." Johnson also co-wrote "Give It Away," the CMA and ACM 2007 Song of the Year recorded by George Strait.

Johnson's latest release will hit stores Sept. 14 and will feature 25 tracks. Spread over two CDs, "The Guitar Song" already boasts a standout single, "Macon," that Johnson performed at the CMT Music Awards. The album features collaborative work with a lot of heavy-hitting Nashville songwriters, including Buddy Cannon, Teddy Gentry, Bobby Bare and others.

Gretchen Wilson

Gretchen Wilson (Aug. 14)

Gretchen Wilson topped the charts with her debut single, "Redneck Woman," in 2004 and in just six years has established herself as a new queen of country, posting 13 singles on the Billboard country charts. Five of those singles have reached Top 10 status. Her debut album, "Here For The Party," has sold more than 5 million copies.

Wilson, who was born in Pocahontas, Ill., moved to Nashville in 1996. She worked as a bartender at Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar on Nashville's famous Printers Alley, a street with bars that have hosted country royalty like Waylon Jennings and Hank Williams. Wilson occasionally would sit in with bands that played her bar in the 1990s. Encouraged by John Rich of country group Big & Rich, Wilson began performing more and the two wrote "Redneck Woman," which shot her into the spotlight.

Starting her own record label in 2009 was a big step for Wilson, and her latest album is "I've Got Your Country Right Here," released in March. The album's first single, "Work Hard, Play Harder," reached No. 18 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs.