Musical entertainers named for annual Sikeston rodeo

SIKESTON, Mo. -- It will be a lineup of country music favorites mixed in with some new sights and sounds for the 53rd Annual Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo.

Scheduled for Aug. 9 is Trace Adkins followed on Aug. 10 by Terri Clark. Rising star Craig Morgan will be featured on Aug. 11 with Keith Anderson wrapping up the rodeo on Aug. 12.

Adkins' performance at the rodeo several years ago proved popular and with new songs earning air play, he was the right man to open the rodeo, said Scott Balcer, entertainment co-chairman. "Trace has one of the industry's highest-energy shows," he said.

Terri Clark

Also back but this time looking for clear skies, Clark last performed at the rodeo in 1997 when crowds waited through the rain to hear her perform.

"She is a favorite of country music fans because she is equally accomplished as a singer and a guitar player," Balcer said.

Craig Morgan

Morgan, who recently released his third album, "On My Kind of Livin," uses his music to tell the stories of the small, meaningful things in everyday lives.

In 2002, Anderson won the 10th annual Jim Beam Country Band Search held at the Wildhorse Saloon. That same year, Garth Brooks and George Jones recorded a hit duet of "Beer Run (B Double E Double Are You In?)," which Anderson wrote with Kent Blazy, George Ducas, Amanda Williams and Kim Williams. The duet received Grammy, CMA and ACM nominations. In 2004, Gretchen Wilson included Anderson's composition "The Bed" on her debut album, "Here for The Party," co-written by Vicky McGehee and Big & Rich's John Rich.

Keith Anderson

Rodeo chairman Chris Harper said this year's rodeo will feature a new event, team roping. "We think this will pull in several more cowboys along with local cowboys," he said.

The opportunity to catch some of the cowboys and cowgirls performing prior to actual rodeo free of charge is expanding also. Harper explained a second night of "slack," where those contestants who don't draw a slot to compete during one of the four nights of rodeo will ride, rope and wrestle for honors.

At 6 p.m. Aug. 7, the team roping and barrel racing contestants will compete and at 6 p.m. Aug. 8, the competition is set for the calf roping and steer wrestling.

Thursday night's rodeo will offer fans the opportunity to buy a special breast cancer awareness shirt with the proceeds to go to the American Cancer Society.

The rodeo novelty stands will also sell bracelets to benefit the Cancer Society.

The Jaycees will have a special pink shirt embroidered with the words "tough enough to wear pink," for that evening.

The box office at the Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday for fans to purchase tickets. Also tickets can be purchased online at www.sikestonrodeo.com.