SIKESTON BOOTHEEL RODEO BEGINS WEDNESDAY

Montgomery Gentry

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Last year, the Sikeston Jaycees donated $85,000 to community projects thanks to the little old rodeo they've been sponsoring for nearly half a century now.

While they're at it, they provide both rodeo and music fans with top entertainment.

"The rodeo and the goals of the Jaycees are to provide a family atmosphere and entertainment at a reasonable price," said Jim Cox Jr., the rodeo chairman.

John Michael Montgomery will provide the entertainment when the 48th Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo opens Wednesday at the rodeo grounds. Montgomery leads off a schedule of entertainers that includes Clay Walker on Thursday, Jo Dee Messina on Friday and Montgomery Gentry on Saturday.

The rodeo begins at each night with the grand entry, followed by the events at 7:30. The entertainment begins at the conclusion off the competition.

One of the rodeo's favorite events, the bull fights, once again have been moved to the middle of each night's rodeo instead of the end so people who might have to leave early can see them, says Dek Lape, the rodeo publicity chairman.

Jerry Norton, the 1998 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association champion, will be back to compete for the 11th year. Norton is from Mitchell, S.D.

In the bull fights, the rodeo clowns receive points for spending some quality time with a bull, trying to touch his head and maneuver him around barrels.

Cox said some of the top-ranked cowboys in the country, with rankings in the top 10 and top 20, are coming in for the rodeo.

Montgomery has had 14 No. 1 singles in a career that began in 1992 with the album "Life's a Dance." Walker broke through in 1993 with the single "What's It To You," which was followed by "Live Until I Die" and "Dreaming With My Eyes Open." He became a headliner in 1995 and now has nine No. 1 songs.

Messina is newer on the country scene. Her first single, "Heads Carolina, Tails California," was an appropriate song for a woman who began singing in country bars at 14. Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry -- known as Montgomery Gentry -- make music in the tradition of country music's outlaws on their debut album "Tattoos and Scars," which contains the hit single "Hillbilly Shoes."

The 120 active members of the Jaycees along with the "Exhausted Roosters" -- Jaycees 40 and older -- have been organizing this rodeo for more than a year. This year they built a hospitality area for the sponsors. They also have built a shower and lounge area for the cowboys.

"A lot of them are traveling in trailers," Cox says. "Now they can sit in air conditioning and return their calls."

About 37,000 people are expected to attend the four days of the rodeo.

Among the projects the rodeo proceeds help fund are the YMCA, Delta , youth football and baseball leagues, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts and the municipal swimming pool.

One of the highlights of the week is the annual Redneck Barbecue Cookoff, a contest in which people from all over the state and region pit their barbecue secrets and skills against each other. The barbecue begins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Rotary Park.

An autograph session for kids will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Sikeston Outlet Mall.

No rodeo parade will be held this year but is expected to return next year.

For information about the rodeo, phone (800) 455-BULL.