Entertainment for 67th Annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo announced

Friday, March 22, 2019
Kris Eastwood, chairman of the 67th Annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo, announces the entertainment lineup for this year’s rodeo, which will be held Aug. 7-10.
Bob Greenlee/Standard Democrat

SIKESTON — Entertainment for the 67th Annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo was announced Friday, this year featuring six acts in the four-day rodeo.

The Rodeo will be held Aug. 7-10 at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo Grounds and Wednesday, Aug. 7, will once again be Sikeston Community Night to celebrate the local businesses and community members who continue to support the Rodeo.

Finishing up Wednesday’s events is up-and-comer Morgan Wallen.

Morgan Wallen

“Morgan Wallen’s hit ‘Up Down,’ featuring Florida Georgia Line, was last summer’s anthem,” said Rodeo Chairman Kris Eastwood. “From fishing all day to partying in the country to living for Friday, that song and Wallen’s other chart-toppers fit Rodeo fans perfectly. They’ll be singing along to his music about working hard, having fun, respecting traditions and building a future. He belongs at the Rodeo.”

Wallen grew up in Tennessee singing to his preacher father’s congregation. He made it on “The Voice” in 2014 and gained a respectable following before leaving the show. He moved to Nashville in 2015, and in less than a year was signed to Big Loud Records.

“Like a lot of people my age, I didn’t necessarily grow up listening to country music … I grew up living it,” explained Wallen when discussing his style. “The songs I wrote came from the heart, and I don’t really pay attention to what’s going on outside of what I’m doing. I just try to stick to what I know and what I love.”

Thursday night will feature a rare three acts performing with Sammy Kershaw, Collin Raye and Aaron Tippin taking the stage as part of their Roots and Boots Tour.

“We’re calling it Triple Threat Thursday since we’ll have three of the biggest names in country music history,” Eastwood said. “Each artist will have a set of his own, and they’ll perform a few songs together. Because we have three top-performers instead of one, this concert will be longer than usual. Fans will no doubt get their money’s worth.”

Sammy Kershaw

Country fans may recognize multiplatinum album artist Kershaw for his hit “She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful,” which is one of the most played songs on country music radio. His other chart-topping singles include: “I Can’t Reach Her Anymore” in1994, “Third Rate Romance” in 1994 and “Love of My Life” through 1997 and 1998.

Collin Raye

Raye’s had 30 singles make the U.S. country charts, and four of his singles reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country music charts: “Love, Me” and “In This Life” in 1992, “My Kind of Girl” in 1995 and “I Can Still Feel You” in 1998. Raye is well known for his searing ballads, moving listeners with emotional, heartfelt lyrics.

Aaron Tippin

Tippin’s music has long resonated with the working class and members of the military. More than 30 of his singles have charted on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Three singles hit No. 1: “There Ain’t Nothin’ Wrong with the Radio” in 1992, “That’s as Close as I’ll Get to Loving You” in 1995 and “Kiss This” in 2000.

Thursday and Friday night will also feature bullfighting, one of the Rodeo’s most popular events.

Serving as the entertainment for Friday night will be Jake Owen.

“Owen is one of the more contemporary artists we’ve brought to Sikeston,” Eastwood said. “He brings a beachy vibe to the stage, which will be fun for those of us who don’t make it to the coast often.”

Jake Owen

Next week, Owen is releasing his sixth album, which features his top-10 hit “Down to the Honkytonk,” and last month he announced his first film appearance in “The Friend.”

“This is a busy year for him with filming his first movie, launching a new album and having a baby,” said Eastwood. “He isn’t scheduling a full tour this year so he can spend more time with his family. The Rodeo is one of the few places fans in the Midwest will have a chance to see him perform live.”

Owen is no stranger to the country charts. His first album produced three singles that reached the top 20 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, and “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You” from his second album “Easy Does It” hit No. 2. “Easy Does It” also debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and No. 13 on the Billboard 200 chart. He’s toured with several megastars, including Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley and Keith Urban.

Saturday night marks the return of Domestic Violence Awareness Night as all attendees are asked to wear purple to recognize the cause. Rounding out the entertainment will be Grammy-nominated country music trio Midland.

Midland

“Anyone who’s a fan of The Eagles or George Strait is going to instantly connect with Midland,” Eastwood said. “They’re an incredible mix of traditional country and country rock. We expect to see them skyrocketing to absolute stardom in the coming years.”

Midland received two Grammy nominations in 2018 for “Drinkin’ Problem,” and in the same year, the Academy of Country Music presented Midland with the Best New Vocal Duo Or Group award. The Washington Post named “On the Rocks,” the band’s debut album, 2017’s best country music album.

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

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