Sikeston rodeo lines up young acts

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo will mark its 53rd year next week by featuring four young country acts.

Ron Payne, president of the rodeo board of directors, said the rodeo tries to change the entertainment lineup from year to year to offer something for all country music fans.

Ticket sales have been brisk, Payne said, but seats are still available for each night.

This year the duo Montgomery Gentry will take stage Aug. 10, with Sara Evans on Aug. 11, Dierks Bentley on Aug. 12 and Darryl Worley on Aug. 13. Rodeo gates open at 6 p.m. each day, with the rodeo beginning at 7 p.m. and entertainers taking the stage around 9:30 p.m.

Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry hit it big as a rowdy country duo in 2000 by winning the Country Music Association Country Vocal Duo award after solo careers in country.

Evans achieved country commercial success with her 2000 album "Born to Fly" and has repeated the success on 2003's "Restless."

Bentley is a newcomer to the country music who released his first solo album in 2003 and is promoting his latest, "Modern Day Drifter," released in May this year.

Worley hit superstar status in 2003 with his politically charged No. 1 hit, "Have You Forgotten."

Over the four days, Payne said, the rodeo will bring more than 45,000 people and $8 million in business to Sikeston.

Contests at the rodeo include bull riding, tie-down roping, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling and barrel racing.

A new feature this year will be an extra day; a free-admittance rodeo-only night will be on Tuesday, Aug. 9. In the past, the rodeo has started on Wednesdays.

Payne said the rodeo will be the biggest one in the country that weekend, with a strong field of the top competitors in their sport.

Call (800) 455-BULL for tickets.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182