Rockin' at the Rodeo

Thursday, August 7, 2008
Members of the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo entertainment stage crew prepare for the Little Big Town performance Wednesday night (Photos by Keith Hente, Staff)

Southern/classic rock band will offer a different sound

SIKESTON -- For the first time in about two decades, southern/classic rock music will be part of the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo entertainment -- and its generated a lot of buzz.

Tonight, 38 Special will perform following the rodeo events. The group, together for more than 30 years, is known for hit songs such as "Hold On Loosely," "If I'd Been the One," and "Rockin' into the Night."

"Everybody is surprised to hear that a group of their caliber -- with their talents and being such a big touring band -- could be at the rodeo," said Cal Crader, entertainment chairman. He said there has been a lot of positive feedback from the community and other rodeo-goers about the selection.

And that was the purpose. "We wanted to reach out and appeal to some patrons entertainment-wise that we may be missing with the traditional country acts," he said. "And the feedback we're getting is that there are people coming to see 38 Special that maybe have never been to the rodeo."

The last similar performer was Kenny Loggins, who entertained 20-some years ago.

Little Big Town performed at the 56th annual Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo Wednesday night. Tonight, 38 Special is scheduled to play their southern/classic rock music.

Craig Templeton, tickets chairman for the rodeo, agreed with Crader. Templeton said those working in the ticket office have had some interesting conversations with those coming to see 38 Special.

"We are getting a lot of people saying that they want to see 38 Special," he said. "We're getting an older crowd that wants to see the southern rock -- they're excited (38 Special) is coming, and it's a bunch of people who grew up listening to 38 Special."

Kerrie Gilmore of Sikeston said she's excited for the group to come for that reason -- because it's the kind of music she favored when she was younger. "And I think a lot of the older rock is similar to the new country music," she said.

Gilmore said she often attends the rodeo, but not so much for the entertainment. But this year, 38 Special is a big draw for her, and something she will definitely tune in to.

Templeton said that, compared to last year, ticket sales for Thursday night's performance are higher, and he credits that to the entertainment choice.

Crader said he thinks the group's performance will bring about a different atmosphere tonight.

"They're going to give us a high energy, top-notch show," Crader said of the group. "The weather is hopefully going to be beautiful for them and I think anybody that doesn't come out and see them is going to miss a good opportunity in Sikeston."

After more than two decades together, 38 Special still plays more than 100 shows a year, according to the group's press packet. Vocalist/guitarist Don Barnes said the shows are all about maintaining intensity -- and they aim to blindside the audience with their power and muscle.

"When we come out, people are like 'Whoa! It's like a freight train rolling over them,'" said Barnes.

Crader said there's a good chance southern/classic rock could become a rodeo staple.

"The chairman drives a lot of the selection process on the entertainment and acts," he said. "But I think that next year, if this is successful, we'll be looking to continue that trend at least for one night of the rodeo."

Templeton said tickets are still available for the three remaining nights of the rodeo -- although officials are "looking to sell out on Saturday and Friday is right behind it." Bleacher seats are available for $16 each.

Tickets can be purchased from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Jaycee ticket office or by calling 1-800-455-BULL or 471-7196.

Rodeo events

Today

>10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cowboy Up! Kids' Art Festival Show

>7 p.m. Rodeo; 38 Special performs.

Friday

>Cowboy Up! Arts Festival at Sikeston Depot and American Legion Park: Arts and crafts, concessions, Cowboy Poets, live musical entertainment, pony rides will happen.

>10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cowboy Up! Kids' Art Festival Show

>Noon to 1 p.m. Randy Erwin, trick roper, singer, world-class western yodler performs.

>1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Reba McEntire impersonator performs.

>2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Randy Erwin performs.

>3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Steve Clinton performs.

>7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Flamenco guitarist Ronald Radford performs at Albritton-Mayer Cultural Center. Admission is $5.

>7 p.m. Rodeo; Gary Allen performs.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: