Blake Shelton to replace Billy Currington at Sikeston rodeo

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The Sikeston Jaycees have switched entertainers for Thursday night after scheduled performer Billy Currington and his bassist were injured during a Saturday performance in Canada.

"We were able to get Blake Shelton to fill the hole in our lineup," said Cal Crader, chairman of entertainment for this year's rodeo. He said that Shelton, who is on tour this summer with George Strait, is a good fit for the Thursday night demographics.

"We are saddened by the unfortunate accident Billy Currington and his band were involved in," said Matt Matthews, 2009 rodeo general chairman. "We wish them all a speedy recovery."

A Monday news release from Mercury/MCA Nashville in Nashville, Tenn., reported Currington was on the last song of his set at the Big Valley Jamboree music festival in Camrose, Alberta, when the stage collapsed where he was performing. Officials said the accident was due to severe weather.

The Associated Press reported that the strong winds and heavy rain struck about 6 p.m., shutting down power, collapsing the stage and sending people running for cover.

Currington, who was reportedly hit in the head by a pole, was taken to the hospital for a minor concussion but has returned to his home in Nashville after being released. He is expected to make a full recovery. Also injured was Currington's bass player, Alex Stevens, who was pinned under the wreckage of the stage for half an hour while rescue personnel removed debris to free him.

According to the Associated Press, one person was killed and 75 were injured by falling debris from the stage. While most were treated at the site, Camrose police chief Darrell Kambeitz said, about 20 of the injured were taken to hospitals. Two were described as being in critical condition.

The Jaycees were notified Monday afternoon that Currington canceled his Thursday stop in Sikeston, Crader said. Shelton's performance was arranged within an hour after that.

Shelton has charted 13 singles, five of which became No. 1 on the charts. They include "She Wouldn't Be Gone," "Home," "Some Beach," "The Baby" and "Austin."

Other entertainment acts set for this year's rodeo are Darius Rucker today, Montgomery Gentry on Friday and Luke Bryan on Saturday.

Tickets remain available for all performances. They are available online at www.sikestonrodeo.com, by calling 800-455-2855 or going to the rodeo ticket office on the rodeo grounds.