Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo starts Wednesday with lineup of country acts

A Southeast Missouri tradition, the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo, kicks off this year's event on Wednesday with the first of four nights of rodeo and concerts by popular country acts.

Wednesday -- Sugarland

Sugarland's rise to the top of the country world has been nothing less than meteoric -- in just three years they've become one of the hottest acts in country music, with hits like "Baby Girl" and "Something More" from their 2004 major-label debut "Twice the Speed of Life" and a 2006 tour with Kenny Chesney.

Thursday -- Dierks Bentley

Only a few months have passed since this huge country star performed in Cape Girardeau, bringing his headlining gig to the Show Me Center. Bentley really made a splash on the country music scene in 2005 with the release of the album "Modern Day Drifter." The momentum continued with his third album, "Long Trip Alone" and its megahit "Every Mile a Memory," helped by the strength of his high-octane live show.

Friday -- Clay Walker

Compared to acts like Sugarland and Dierks Bentley, Clay Walker is an old man on the country music scene. His first major-label record was released in 1993 and his first four studio albums were certified platinum. Walker made public his diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in 1996, but continues to make albums and tour. His latest album is called "Fall," released in April.

Saturday -- Eric Church

Church hails from the mountains of North Carolina and is the newest face to play this year's rodeo. His first album, "Sinners Like Me," was released in 2006 on the strength of Church's first single "How 'Bout You."