Sikeston Jaycees announce Bootheel Rodeo entertainment lineup

SIKESTON — The entertainment lineup for the 71st Annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo was revealed Friday during the Jaycees’ first public Rodeo Kickoff in the Sponsor Barn on the rodeo grounds.

The performers at this year’s 2023 Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo will be Riley Green, Aug. 9; Travis Denning, Aug. 10; Ja Rule, the Ying Yang Twins, Aug. 11; and Whiskey Myers Aug. 12.

“Riley Green is a rising country star,” said Rodeo Chairman Ethan Vasquez. “We believe Green will be a big hit here at the Sikeston rodeo. We can’t wait for him to take the stage.”

Sikeston Jaycee President Noah Curtis speaks to the crowd during the first public Rodeo Kickoff event Friday, March 24, 2023, at the Sponsor Building at the rodeo grounds. The Sikeston Jaycees announced the entertainment lineup for their annual rodeo set for Aug. 9-12. (Gina Williams/Standard Democrat)

Green was nominated for Best New Country Artist at the iHeartRadio Music Awards, and he was also named one of Country Radio Seminars’ 2020 New Faces and MusicRow’s Breakout Artist of the Year at their Country Breakout Awards.

Green was raised on the sounds of classic country, bluegrass and southern gospel music after being born in Jacksonville, Alabama. He spent time with his grandfather, Bufford Green, who managed the Golden Saw Music Hall, and learned how to write songs and perform at an early age. In 2019, BMLG Records published his full-length debut album, “Different Round Here,” which included the gold-certified track “I Wish Grandpas Never Died.”

Denning, a recording artist for Mercury Nashville and a native of Warner Robins, Georgia, will perform on Thursday night.

“We are beyond excited to have Travis Denning at the rodeo this year,” said Vasquez.

With over 17 million streams and the song reaching the top spot on Sirius XM’s Highway Hot 30, recording artist Denning recently released “ABBY,” in 2020, a song that critics have praised as a “clever kiss-off” and a “wickedly fun good-riddance anthem.” The song also received the most country radio ads at the time of the ad.

Denning was inspired from an early age, fell in love with country, pop, rock and heavy metal, and at the age of 16, began performing at local bars. Due to his distinctive tunes, Denning gained a large fan base. He then relocated to Nashville and obtained outside cuts from Jason Aldean, Justin Moore, Michael Ray and other artists.

On Thursday, Sikeston Community Night will also be held to honor the local businesses and members of the community who continue to support the rodeo.

According to Vasquez, the rodeo will once again include hip-hop styles this year. The Ying Yang Twins and Ja Rule are entertaining the audience on Friday night.

The song “Whistle While You Twurk,” which gained widespread broadcast on urban and crossover radio stations, was a smash for the party rap group Ying Yang Twins from Atlanta. Later in 2000, their first full-length album, titled Thug Walking, was released.

Ja Rule, a stage name for Jeffrey Atkins, was signed to Murdeer Inc., previously The INC, and run by Irv Gotti. Between 1999 and 2005, Ja Rule had a number of singles that peaked in the top 20 of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 list, including “Between Me and You” (with Christina Milian), “I’m Real (Murder Remix)” and “Ain’t It Funny” (both with Jennifer Lopez).

Mental Health Awareness Night is on Saturday, and Whiskey Myers will wrap up the night’s activities.

Since their debut in 2007, the multi-genre band Whiskey Myers has performed more than 3,000 live shows to ever-growing crowds. Whiskey Myers, their recently released, self-produced fifth studio album, opened at No. 1 on the country and Americana and folk sales charts, No. 2 on the rock chart, and No. 6 on the Billboard 200 all genre list. With segments (and a cameo) in the popular “Yellowstone” series on the Paramount Network, their distinctive sound has also led to sync success.

“We are ready for Whiskey Myers’ high energy to take the stage on Saturday night,” Vasquez said.

Noah Curtis, president of the Sikeston Jaycees, said they have always wanted to include the community. This year’s rodeo line-up launch event was accessible to the general public with advance tickets.

“To me, this has been a vision that is a long time coming; we always want to involve our community,” Curtis said. “Allowing more people to be involved in this event, I know it’s warmed a lot of our hearts, and hopefully it will continue to engage our community and really make them proud of what we are trying to do out here.”

Wednesday and Thursday night tickets range from $25-$125, while Friday and Saturday night tickets range from $30-$130. They can be purchased online at SikestonRodeo.com, over the phone by calling 800-455-BULL, or in person at the Rodeo box office.

To watch this year’s 2023 Sikeston Jaycee Rodeo Entertainment video click the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lc-YMnkCOA