Rodeo opens in Jacksonville
Tops-in-Texas Rodeo opens tonight with trick rider Austin Anderson
BY LELAND ACKER

The 2007 Tops-in-Texas Rodeo, scheduled for July 11-14, will add more attractions for families and children, said Brenda Jones of the Jacksonville Rodeo Association. Efforts to make the entertainment more family oriented was the first target.

Ms. Jones said the entertainment for Wednesday and Thursday evenings will be Austin Anderson, a trick rider from Troup. She said by booking Mr. Anderson, ticket prices could be reduced allowing for more families to be able to enjoy the rodeo.

"He does Roman riding, jumping over things and through things," she said. "His act will take place between competitions throughout the evening."

Ms. Jones said Roman riding is when the rider stands on two horses, with one foot on each horse.

"He might even be standing on two horses with four more in front of him," she said. "He also does a bull-whip act, where he pops things out of people's hands."

Ms. Jones said the rodeo will still feature renowned country artists. Blake Shelton is scheduled to play Friday evening.

"He was here before when he had his hits, 'Austin' and 'Ol' Red' in 2003," she said. "He was friendly and downto earth. Hopefully, he'll play a good hour and a half long show after all of the rodeo action."

Mr. Shelton's current hit, "Don't Make Me," from his CD "Pure B.S." (Blake Shelton) made it to the Top-15 chart. Other hits include "Some Beach," "The Baby" and "Playboys of the Southwestern World."

Mr. Shelton is a judge on the TV show "Nashville Star," an "American Idol" type show for country music. "Nashville Star" has springboarded the careers of artists such as Miranda Lambert, Buddy Jewell and Casey Rivers.

The Randy Rogers Band is the entertainment for Saturday evening.

"The Randy Rogers Band is one of the most downloaded artists on the internet," Ms. Jones said. "The college crowd and younger kids love them."

Ms. Jones said the song the Randy Rogers Band is best known for is entitled "Kiss Me in the Dark."

"I saw them open for Dierks Bentley," she said. "They're really good."

Western Week activities began Tuesday with the Rodeo parade and street dance.

Ms. Jones said the chuck wagon lunch will take place today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Norman Activity Center.

The best dressed person and decorated business contest will be Thursday.

The Jacksonville Rodeo Association Junior Rodeo for Exceptional Kids is planned for at 8 a.m. Saturday morning. The Tops in Texas Rodeo is scheduled tonight through Saturday at 8 p.m. nightly, at the rodeo arena behind Lon Morris College.