Tickets for Neal Boyd, Kenny Rogers Sikeston concert on sale Friday

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday for the Kenny Rogers/Neal E. Boyd benefit concert set for June 24 at the Sikeston Field House.

All proceeds will go toward the expansion of the Kenny Rogers Children's Center.

"There has been a strong buzz around this concert, and the committee and I strongly feel these tickets are going to sell out in May," said Tom Nunnelee, co-chair of the concert committee.

The concert is planned for 7:30 p.m. June 24 at the Field House and is expected to last about two and a half hours. The venue seats just more than 3,400 people, and Nunnelee said "there isn't a bad seat in house."

Ticket prices are $43.50 for the main floor and $33.50 for bleachers. They will be available through Ticketmaster online at www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-745-3000 or at Ticketmaster retail outlets, which can be located at www.ticketmaster.com/outlets.

"Ticket buyers will be able to print their tickets off and use them for admission," said Cal Crader, who is handling ticket sales for the event. There is also a $3.60 handling fee per order through Ticketmaster.

Nunnelee said sponsor solicitations will continue through May. "We have reserved main floor seating for future sponsors," he said.

Those who purchase these packages will receive preferred reserve seating, premium parking passes and invitations to the pre-concert reception. The sponsorship levels are patrons, $250, which includes two tickets; supporting, $1,000, which includes four tickets; and underwriting, $5,000, which includes 16 tickets. Those interested can call the Kenny Rogers Children's Center at 573-472-0397 and talk to Christy O'Neal, ext. 207 or Michelle Fayette, ext. 200.

Nunnelee said every Kenny Rogers benefit concert in Sikeston has been sold out, and he expects that to happen again.

"And this time, I think there is even more anticipation, because of his partnering with Neal," Nunnelee said of opening act Boyd, a Sikeston native and winner of NBC's "America's Got Talent."

Boyd's debut album is set to be released June 23, one day before the Sikeston show.