Chapel Hart, Drake Milligan to sing at rodeo honoring Delta farmer killed in plane crash
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Poplarville's own Chapel Hart will be back in Mississippi to perform Friday night at the inaugural Keath Killebrew Memorial Rodeo at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson.
The trio, comprised of sisters Danica Hart and Devynn Hart and cousin Trea Swindle, will take the stage during the festivities.
Chapel Hart drew national attention after receiving a group golden buzzer on the popular talent show "America's Got Talent" in 2022, after performing their song, "You Can Have Him, Jolene," a follow-up to Dolly Parton's 1973 hit, "Jolene." Although Chapel Hart didn't take the top prize on the show, the trio made it to the competition finals.
@chapelhartband From Backstage Warm Ups… To Singing On Stage with @Tanya Tucker Yesterday was one of those days we will NEVER forget.. #CountryMusic #Canada #TanyaTucker #ChapelHart ♬ original sound - Chapel Hart Band
On Saturday, fellow AGT competitor Drake Milligan will be the rodeo's closing act. The singer-songwriter from Texas is known for his Elvis-influenced performances.
In addition to the live music, the rodeo will feature competitions in bull riding, bareback bronc, ranch bronc, calf roping, breakaway roping, steer wrestling and more.
All about the rodeo: The inaugural Keath Killebrew Memorial Rodeo coming to Mississippi Coliseum. Details here
“It’ll be the second largest rodeo in the world and the largest in the United States,” said Jeremy Smith of Deep South Rodeo, a lifetime rodeo fan and promoter.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Keath Killebrew Charisma Award Fund at the Community Foundation for Mississippi. The fund awards scholarships to young men and women interested in working in the agricultural field.
Killebrew, for whom the rodeo is named, was a farmer from the Mississippi Delta town of Tchula. He died in a plane crash in December 2021, while exploring new farming opportunities in Paraguay, according to information provided by concert promoter Ardenland.
“Keath truly lived his life like he was preparing for a bull ride,” Killebrew's widow Dr. Alyssa Killebrew said in a news release. “He was always creating new ventures with his businesses and always excited to work hard, and that’s what bull riding and preparing for rodeos is all about. You know you’re gonna get bucked off, and he did many times as he was trying to build a farm operation. But he always got back on and always kept trying.”
Welcome to Fist City: Chapel Hart filmed its newest video in the Delta. You might see some familiar faces there
If you go
The inaugural Keath Killebrew Memorial Rodeo will be at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Mississippi Coliseum, 1207 Mississippi St., in Jackson.
Mississippi trio Chapel Hart will perform Friday night. Drake Milligan will close out the rodeo with a Saturday night performance.
Opening ceremony will be at 6:45 p.m. Friday. Doors open at 6 p.m. each day.
Ticket prices start at $15 per night plus Ticketmaster fees, available at ticketmaster.com.
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This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Chapel Hart, Drake Milligan to perform at Jackson MS rodeo
