RIDING HIGH INTO THE RODEO: JACKSON JAYCEE BOOTHEEL RODEO STARS ATOP BILLBOARD CHARTSE

SIKESTON -- The 41st annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo appears to have hit the entertainment jackpot this year.

Three of this year's four headliners have songs in last week's Billboard Top 10.

Mark Chesnutt is at No. 3 with his wry "It Sure is Monday," Tracy Lawrence's "Can't Break it to My Heart" is No. 4, and Sammy Kershaw is at No. 8 with "Haunted Heart."

Lawrence will perform Wednesday, Chesnutt Thursday, Lorrie Morgan Friday, Aug. 13, and Kershaw Saturday, Aug. 14. All performances will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Jeff Sutton, completing his first year as the rodeo's entertainment director, made the bookings last October. He takes no credit for prognostication, but used a formula that has worked for the rodeo in the past.

"We usually pick two performers who are older and who have peaked and come down to a reasonable price," he said. "And then we pick two we think are going to be stars."

The sure things were Morgan, whose birthright she's the daughter of Grand Old Opry veteran George Morgan and good looks almost qualify her as country music nobility, and Chesnutt, an electric performer who scored at the rodeo last year and has racked up a steady string of hits.

One of the three top-selling woman singers in country music, Morgan also has a budding movie career. Her third and most recent album, "Watch Me," included the hit title song. Both of her first two LPs, "You Can Leave the Light On" and "Something in Red," are nearing platinum status.

Chesnutt's older hits include "Too Cold at Home, "Blame it on Texas," "Old Flames Have New Names" and "Bubba Shot the Jukebox." When making an album, Chesnutt has said he picks a song "that's gonna be a classic, something they're gonna be playing forever."

Lawrence and Kershaw were "the two gambles" in the Jaycees formula. But both have shown signs of breaking out of the country music pack.

Lawrence's current album is "Alibis," and includes the hit title track. His music has been dubbed "young country," but he has demonstrated across-the-board appeal.

Of the four, Kershaw is the most eccentric performer, a sometimes stand-up comedian and bonafide "character" whose Cajun roots and comedic flair surfaced in his debut album, "Don't Go Near the Water."

The rodeo has a reputation for bringing in top-quality country performers. When it came down to picking the four, Sutton says, he just trusted his opinion of them. "I'm a fan," he said.

The four stars will perform on the rodeo's 1-year-old, state-of-the-art mobile stage, which will be placed against the bucking chutes under the grandstand.