SIKESTON — This year, there will be a bit more diversity in the entertainment lineup at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo.
“We’re hoping to appeal to a group of patrons that we haven’t been able to appeal to in a long time,” said Cal Crader, chairman of the entertainment committee.
Ron Payne, this year’s general chairman, agreed. “This year, for the first time, we are trying a little southern rock and we’re also providing some more traditional country,” he said. “We’re catering to all sorts of demographics — the old crowd, the young crowd, country music faithful, as well as some of the rock fans.”
At today’s monthly meeting of the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce, members got the first glimpse at the entertainers planned for the 56th annual event, scheduled for August 6-9.
The group Little Big Town will open the rodeo on Aug. 6, followed by 38 Special on Thursday, Aug. 7. Providing entertainment on Aug. 8 will by Gary Allan, and Jason Aldean will be featured in the final performance on Saturday, Aug. 9.
The final night of rodeo will also be dubbed as “Tough Enough To Wear Pink” night, which raises funds to benefit the American Cancer Society. Last year, more than $17,000 was raised.
“Saturday night is generally our biggest night,” said Payne, adding that a portion of ticket sales go to the cause. “And this way, it gives us another three days to raise awareness and promote it.”
Spectators will see a drop in ticket prices two nights this year, as there will not be staggered prices — that is, prices are the same all four nights. Bleacher seats are $16 each and cost is $23 for box seats. Tickets are available beginning today. Unlike in recent years, the ticket office will be open now through the rodeo — another change for the Jaycees, who usually don’t keep it fully staffed until late May or early June, said Payne.
Despite the increased hours, Payne encouraged people to check out the rodeo’s Web site, www.sikestonrodeo.com. “We’re continually updating it,” he said.
He added that tickets, as well as merchandise are available for purchase there. “We want everybody to know you don’t have to stand in line to get your T-shirts,” he said.
Monday and Tuesday night’s slack competitions will now come at a cost of $5 for admission, said Payne.
During last year’s rodeo, a limited number of people were allowed “in the dirt” — that is, to stand in front of the stage during the concerts. That will be more widely available this year, although specific details have yet to be worked out, said Crader.
“We thought it was a major success, and we got a lot of good feedback on it,” he said. Artists and the audience enjoyed it, so it was “a win-win situation for the Jaycees.”
Payne said “it went fantastic last year.” Some of the artists actually requested it, he added.
Singers loved the energy those in the dirt provided, said Crader. “In a venue where you’re 200 feet from the front row, it can be like you’re speaking to an empty room,” he said.
During the luncheon, the Jaycees provided a PowerPoint presentation with information about each of the acts included in this year’s lineup.
In 2005, the group Little Big Town, made up of Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet and Jami Westbrook broke through on the country music scene with their platinum album “The Road is Here.” Four songs from that album — “Boondocks,” “Bring It On Home,” “Good As Gone” and “A Little More You,” went on to become Top 20 hits.
The group followed up with “A Place to Land,” in 2007. A 2007 CMA Horizon Award nominee, the group will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year.
Payne compared the group dynamic to that of Sugarland at the 2007 rodeo. “You’ve got the male and female artist going, so you can sort of appeal to both the male and female fans,” he said.
38 Special, a southern rock band that’s been on the scene for more than two decades, came out with “Drivetrain” in 2004, its first full studio album in years.
Made up of Don Barnes, Donnie Van Zant, Danny Chauncey, Larry Junstrom, Gary Moffatt and Bobby Capps, the band keeps up a rigorous touring schedule every year and also wrote the complete soundtrack and performed music for the film “Super Troopers,” with song “Trooper With an Attitude” first appearing in the film.
Van Zant, who formed the group, also sings with brother Johnny, the lead singer for Lynyrd Skynyrd, as part of “The Van Zants.”
“They’re quit different than mainstream county,” Crader said of 38 Special. “We’re hoping to appeal to a group of patrons we haven’t been able to appeal to recently. We’re hoping that Thursday night will be a big night for us.”
Payne added “that’s probably going to be one of our higher energy acts.” “Living Hard,” artist Gary Allan’s latest album, was released in October, includes the song “Watching Airplanes.”
He’s been on the country music scene for more than a decade and some top hits include “It Would Be You,” “Her Man,” “The One,” “Man to Man,” “Tough Little Boys,” “Songs About Rain,” and most recently, Top 10 hit “Best I Ever Had,” from his 2005 album.
Payne said he’s seen Allan perform twice. “He was fantastic,” he said. “He just put on a great show.”
And Jason Aldean is the voice behind hits such as “Hicktown” and “Why,” which came in at No. 1 on both radio and CMT, both included in his 2005 self-titled album. In 2007, he followed up with “Relentless,” which includes hits such as “Johnny Cash” and “Laughed Until We Cried.”
“He is absolutely one of the hottest young artists out there,” said Payne. “He is real high energy he doesn’t just sit back and play the guitar and he does a lot to get the audience into the show.”
