Sky High Angels To Perform At 59th Annual Lincoln Rodeo

Area Performing Group Appears In Motion Picture ‘Cowgirls N’ Angels’ Street Dance Tonight

LINCOLN — A troupe of angelic messengers, in the form of rodeo cowgirls, will make two appearances during the 59th annual Lincoln Rodeo.

Carol Jetton, Reporter, for the Lincoln Riding Club, which sponsors the rodeo, said the Sky High Angels are among the drill teams scheduled and will perform on Thursday and Saturday nights of the rodeo.

“They are in the movie, ‘ Cowgirls N’ Angels,’ that hits the box office this weekend,” Jetton said.

Gloria Roles, director of the group, said the Sky High Angels were founded in March of 2005, at Huntsville.

“We named ourselves after the rodeo arena in our community,” Roles said.

The group consists of a director and 12 performance riders along with alternate riders.

“The Angels' mission, as a drill team, is to support our country, our troops and our community,” said Brandy Bilderback, secretary, who said the riders range in age from 12 to 50.

Their mission statement defines the group as a sisterhood of talented horsewomen delivering precise, fast paced performances to the sport of rodeo and also adding pageantry and patriotism.

The group strives to remain actively involved in the community and conduct themselves as role models for youth.

The Sky High Angels purpose statement on their website said the group is founded on the theme of American Pride.

The cowgirls wear western patriotic costumes and perform their routines to upbeat music with a goal to structure a drill team that will stand the test of time.

“The little girls in the stands watching us perform will have their dreams fulfilled when they, too, will have the opportunity to become one of the sisters of the Sky High Angels,” Roles said.

Bilderback said the Angels have had the honor of performing at the Women's Pro Rodeo Finals in Tulsa and appeared on RFDTV when a special ran on the WPRA finals. Bilderback noted the Angels also appear in the recently released feature film, Cowgirls N' Angels, starring Bailee Madison, James Cromwell, Jackson Rathbone and Frankie Faison.

According to the International Movie Data Base website, " Cowgirls N' Angels" tells the story of a feisty and rebellious young girl named Ida, who dreams of finding her father, a rodeo rider. The catch is her mother has never told who her dad is.

In Ida’s search, she connects with the Sweethearts of the Rodeo, played in performance scenes by the Sky High Angels, a team of young female rodeo riders run by a former rodeo star, who recognizes young Ida’s trick- riding ability and recruits her when he catches her practicing on one of the team’s horses.

Finding acceptance by her new " family," Ida discovers a new passion that redefines her life and may also lead to the father she's never known. The family film is rated PG but has a limited release.

Roles said the group was originally put together to perform at the local, professional- sanctioned Madison County Rodeo to post sponsor flags, but after they started practicing, a lot of other horse event sponsors saw them and now they are asked to perform at various shows, rodeos and parades.

Bilderback said autographed photos of the colorful riders will be available at the Lincoln Rodeo. LINCOLN — The music by Boston Mountain Playboys will provide the soundtrack for a street dance at the Lincoln square tonight.

The street dance begins at 8 p.m. and will wrap up at 11 p.m. as the 59th annual Lincoln Rodeo gets under way with performances tomorrow, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The stick horse grand entry is at 7:30 p.m. each night.

Prior to the street dance, a sponsors dinner will be held beginning at 5:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome, but sponsors are served first. The cost is $5 a plate.

According to their Facebook page, the Boston Mountain Playboys have mastered the sound of traditional country artists and also enjoy rocking the new tunes as well.

The band has a passion for Red Dirt and grew up on Texas Swing.

The Playboys think those who like to dance will love their music. Whether it's a waltz, a two-step or southern rock and roll, their set will have something for all fans.