Kellie Pickler to perform at Bad Boy Inc.'s Annual Dealer Meeting

With her, "Red High-Heels," country singer Kellie Pickler will be heading to Batesville Sept. 28 for a private concert as part of Bad Boy Mowers' fourth annual dealer meeting.

Pickler, 23, a top 10 finalist on season five's "American Idol" who has also had hits with "Best Days of Your Life" and "I Wonder," is set to perform at 8 p.m. at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville.

While the concert is private for dealers and Bad Boy employees, the public will have the chance to win tickets through Bad Boy and other area businesses including First Community Bank locations, Josie's at the Lockhouse, Independence County Off-Road ATV Specialists and the Batesville Daily Guard.

However, the concert is just one of the many activities in store for Bad Boy dealers, according to Lennie Foree, who's in charge of Bad Boy marketing. "We wanted to create a fun meeting and bring in some entertainment and get (dealers) excited about our new products," he said. "We want to make it fun for them."

Dealers will also have the opportunity to tour the Batesville facility while "learning what we are trying to do and our philosophy."

About 250 dealers from across the nation are expected to attend the meeting which will kick off Sept. 27, Foree said, adding there could be between 500 and 700 people in attendance when taking into consideration family members who will be joining the dealers.

Attendees will also get a first look at the three new Bad Boy products, including a self-propelled push-mower, gas-powered multi-terrain vehicle and the "Mini Z."

The "Mini Z" is a smaller mower for people who have between a half acre and 1 1/2 acre of land "and can't justify buying a ZT," he said. "It's a new mower that will open up an entire new demographic of people."

However, its smaller size won't mean it will be of lower quality. The "Mini Z," he said, will be a "lower price-ranged mower that passes the Bad Boy standard."

The meeting, which will conclude Sept. 30, is an opportunity for Bad Boy dealers, employees and their families to take a break. It's also "a time when Bad Boy Mowers can give back to them," Foree said, adding the Bad Boy is like on big family.

"We do consider ourselves a big family. We're all pushing for the same goal," he added.

Bad Boy Inc. began in 1998 with the sole purpose of producing the Bad Boy zero-turn commercial lawn mower. Today, Bad Boy products are manufactured, assembled and stored in multiple facilities comprising more than 200,000 square feet in Batesville.

Bad Boy also purchased the former GDX Automotive building in Batesville and opened a plant at the former Boeing building in Melbourne, tripling its total space to 600,000 feet.