Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to release performance lineup for 2016 Rodeo Houston on January 11

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2016 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 4, 2016) The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo will release the performance lineup for the 2016 edition of Rodeo Houston on Monday morning, January 11, 2016 at 12:05 a.m.

The announcement will be made via Facebook, Twitter, e-mail and text alerts, along by general press release through local and national media outlooks. Rodeo Houston will run from March 1-20 2016 on the grounds of NRG Park in Houston.

The daily rodeo competition and concerts will be held in NRG Stadium with other rodeo and livestock show events scheduled for NRG and NRG Center. Performances by country entertainers are scheduled for 20 days, with R&B, classic rock, pop/rock, and Tejano music taking up the remaining seven days. The livestock show and rodeo will be proceeded by World’s Championship Bar-B-Cue Contest on February 25-27, 2016.

In the past, RodeoHouston has presented a great selection of performers which is certain to continue in 2016.

Country favorite Trace Adkins performed in 1997, 1998, 2009, and 2011, in addition to Alabama (1986, 1988-1992, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2012), Kenny Chesney (2001-2005, 2010, 2013) and Tim McGraw (1996-1997, 2003, 2008, 2010-2011, 2013, 2015).

Others who have graced the stage at RodeoHouston include Bruno Mars (2013), Emilio (1990, 1995-1997, 1999, 2007), Chicago (1987, 1989, 1990), KISS (2011) and Gladys Knight (1984, 1994, 1996, 2001, 2009).

In addition to the performances on the rotating stage inside NRG Stadium, rodeo fans who are 21-years-old and over can listen some of the best local and Texas music performers in The Hideout.

The Hideout will be open from March 1-20, 2016 and is located in the big white tent on the west side of NRG Stadium and will be open from 6 p.m. to midnight.

Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo scheduled for September 11-19, 2015

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

PASADENA, TEXAS (August 14, 2015)The 66th annual Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo is scheduled for September 11-19, 2015 at the Pasadena Convention Center and Rodeo Grounds. Rodeo and country music fans from Pasadena and the Houston, Texas area will converge into the Houston suburb for nine days and nights of action.

Traditional rodeo events, along with nightly concerts, beauty pageants, crawfish festival, bowling and golf tournaments, kickoff dance, parade and junior rodeo events, will give those in attendance numerous activities to attend and participate.

Country music favorite Kevin Fowler will perform on Friday, September 11, 2015 with ticket prices ranging from $15 to $25. Saturday, September 12, 2015 will see Cody Johnson take to the stage at the rodeo arena. Monday and Tuesday evenings attendees will be entertained by local high school bands.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015 will see Jake Worthington and Jason Cassidy performing. On Thursday, September 17, 2015, entertainers Easton Corbin, Eric Paslay, Frankie Ballard, and Chase Rice will take to the stage. Aaron Watson will perform on Friday, September 18, 2015 with Roger Creager closing out the rodeo on Saturday, September 19, 2015.

In addition, every night with the exclusion of the Sunday dates, people may sign their children up for one of the favorite events of the rodeo; mutton busting. The event will be held nightly before each performance in the rodeo arena. Each child must weigh less than 60 pounds with awards and prizes for the winners.

Eric Church, BP Super Series kicks off opening day of Rodeo Houston

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 3, 2015)  Rodeo Houston kicks off today, March 3, 2015 at NRG Stadium with the BP Super Series 1, Round 1 and the evening concert by Eric Church. The BP Super Series included tie-down roping, bareback riding, team roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing bull riding and the calf scramble.

Eight competitors will take to the dirt on the floor of NRG Stadium in each event, with eight teams competing in team roping. In the calf scramble, 30 high schools representing their school’s FFA, will compete to capture and rope 15 released calves. Eric Church will take to the revolving stage in NRG Stadium after the evening’s rodeo competition is completed.

In addition to the rodeo activities, the main arena of the NRG Center will host the Maine Anjou Cattle Show, Braunvieh, Braunvieh Beef Builder Cattle Show, Charlolais Cattle Show, Red Angus Cattle Show and the Celebrity Dairy Goat Milking Contest. The NRG Arena will play host to seminars on cattle markets, optimizing grazing, and grazing and wildlife.

Additional music for the evening includes the Matt Caldwell Band at 6 p.m. in the Champion Wine Garden and Justin van Sant at 10:15 p.m. in The Hideout.

Houston Rodeo to announce 2014 performers on Sunday Evening, January 12

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2014 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 12, 2014) The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo will release the performance lineup for the 2014 edition of Rodeo Houston on Sunday evening, January 12, 2014 at 11:59 p.m.

The announcement will be made via Facebook, Twitter, e-mail and text alerts, along by general press release through local and national media outlooks.

Rodeo Houston will run from March 4 through March 23, 2014 on the grounds of Reliant Park in Houston.

The daily rodeo competition and concerts will be held in Reliant Stadium with other rodeo and livestock show events scheduled forReliant Arena and Reliant Center.

Performances by country entertainers are scheduled for 14 days, with R&B, classic rock, pop/rock, and Tejano music taking up the remaining seven days.

The livestock show and rodeo will be proceeded by World’s Championship Bar-B-Cue Contest on February 26 to March 1.

In the past, RodeoHouston has presented a great selection of performers which is certain to continue in 2014.

Country favorite Trace Adkins performed in 1997, 1998, 2009, and 2011, in addition to Alabama (1986, 1988-1992, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2012), Kenny Chesney (2001-2005, 2010, 2013) and Tim McGraw (1996-1997, 2003, 2008, 2010-2011, 2013).

Others who have graced the stage at RodeoHouston include Bruno Mars (2013), Emilio (1990, 1995-1997, 1999, 2007), Chicago (1987, 1989, 1990), KISS (2011) and Gladys Knight (1994, 1996, 20901, 2009).

In addition to the performances on the rotating stage inside Reliant Stadium, rodeo fans who are 21-years-old and over can listen some of the best local and Texas music performers in The Hideout.

The Hideout will be open from March 4-23, 2014 and is located in the big white tent on the east side of Reliant Astrodome and will be open from 6 p.m. to midnight on Sunday through Thursday and from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo elects Jack A. Lyons as Chairman of the Board

Photo provided by the
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 8, 2014) The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, announced on June 5, 2014, via press release, that Jack A. Lyons has been elected as their new chairman of the board by their board of directors.

He takes over the chairman duties after serving one year as chairman-elect of the board. The long time volunteer, who began his service in 1981, has served on a variety of committees; including the Quarter Horse Committee and the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Committee. In addition, he has served as a show vice president along with being the officer in charge of communications.

In his private life, Lyons is the managing director at Wortham Insurance and Risk Management and graduated from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas in 1975. Volunteering is not just limited to Lyons. His wife, Nina has served on the Quarter Horse Committee, while their son Chad in a Captain on the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Committee.

Lyons will oversee the entire livestock show and rodeo, which emphasis on the Executive Committee, which consists of a minimum of 11 voting members, including Lyons. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) is scheduled for March 3-22, 2015 on the grounds of Reliant-NRG Park.

Beginning in 1932 at the Sam Houston Hall, the HLSR moved to the Sam Houston Coliseums in 1938.

It remained there until 1968 when it was moved to the Houston Astrodome complex.

In 2003, with the completion of Reliant Park, now known as NRG Park, the HLSR moved to its current location where more than 1,000,000 people attended the livestock show, rodeo, and accompanying events and activities.

Scott Kormos secures second tie-down roping title at Houston Rodeo

Photo by Darla Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2014 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 23, 2014) With the time of 8.0 seconds, Scott Kormos clinched his second Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo title by winning the tie-down roping event on Saturday, March 22, 2014.

Those in attendance at Reliant Stadium saw the Teague, Texas native advance through six rounds of competition to take the overall Shootout title and $55,300 in prize money.
He captured his first Houston title in 2005.

In Super Series II, he tallied times of 9.6, 8.8, and 7.6 seconds in three rounds to place second with an aggregate time of 26.0 seconds.

In the semi-finals, he scored a solid 9.1 seconds to place third and advance him into the championship.

He then posted a ride of 8.8 seconds to secure his place in the Shootout.
Kormos, who has competed in Houston 11 times, was quoted in the post-event press conference:

“Houston is something every cowboy wants. Every year I’ve come here, I’ve wanted this. It’s been a tough winter; I’ve been struggling with some tough luck. I feel blessed to have this win today.”

Rhen Richard from Roosevelt, Utah, who was competing in his fourth Houston Rodeo, took runner-up honors, taking home $26,100.

Third place went to Reese Riemer of Stinett, Texas.

The 15-year veteran of competing in rodeo secured $13,850 in his first Houston appearance.

Cody Ohl secured fourth place with a 10.2 second ride to take home $11,050 in winnings.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo continues on Sunday, March 23, 2014 with the Super Shootout, with champions from various North American rodeos competing for $50,000 in prize money.

Feild takes top honors in bareback riding at Houston Lifestock Show and Rodeo

By Robert H Kelly

Photo By Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

Copyright 2014, TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 23, 2014) Taking home his second Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo title in bareback riding, Kaycee Feild road his way to a score of 91 and as a result, pocketed $57,150 in prize money on Saturday, March 22, 2014.

The married father of one from Spanish Fork, Utah, stated in the post-event press conference that the win was special:

“I have some stuff I can spend it on, and share the wealth with my family.”

Feild, who has competed in Houston six times, advanced through Super Series II with scores of 85, 84, and 85 to place first with an aggregate score of 254 points.

He tallied the score of 93 to take first place in the semi-finals and capped that performance with the score of 88 in the championships.

He advanced to the Shootout, topping three other competitors to take the title.
Field has competed in Houston six times in his eight year rodeo career which stretches back to 2006.

Redmond, Oregon native Steven Peebles took runner-up honors with the score of 89; securing $20,717 in prize money.

Third place went to Bobby Mote (Stephenville, Texas) scoring 89 points for $19,317.
Tom O’Connell from Zwingle, Iowa rounded out the top four places with the score of 89 and $16,667.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo continues on Sunday, March 23, 2014 with the event part of the Super Shootout at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo with champions from various North American rodeos competing for $50,000 in prize money.
Competition will be contested in bareback riding, barrel racing, bull riding, saddle bronc riding and steer wrestling.

Heith Demoss takes top honors in saddle bronc riding at Houston Rodeo

Keith Demoss won the saddle bronc riding
at the Houston Rodeo, winning $55,783 in prize money.
Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2014 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 23, 2015) Topping three other finalists with the score of 92, Heith Demoss took the saddle bronc riding title at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo at Reliant Stadium on Saturday evening, March 22, 2014.

Saving his best ride for last, the married father of two tallied rides of 83, 84 and 86 in the Super Series for a aggregate score of 253 and third place.

Advancing to the semi-finals, he score 84 for sixth placing, forcing him into the wildcard round with a chance to qualify for the championship.

He recorded his best score of the competition, to that point, when the judhes awarded him an 88; placing first.

He matched that’s core in the championship, which advanced him to the Shootout named his eventual title.

In the post-event meeting with the press, Demoss was quoted:

“It’s just been a thing that’s seemed like a far off dream. It’s my entire life; everything I’ve got is from rodeo. I’d love to dedicate it to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and my wife Hallie.”

With the win, Demoss deposits $55,783 into his bank account.

Cort Scheer, hailing from Elsmere Nebraska, put together solid scores of 85 in the championship and 89 in the Shootout to secure second place.

He received $29,610 for his performance.

Dustin Flundra, from Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada placed third with the score of 86, pocketing $15,500.

Rounding out the top four places was Rusty Wright from Milford, Utah, earning $13,760.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo continues on Sunday, March 23, 2014 with the Super Shootout at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo when champions from various North American rodeos competing for $50,000 in prize money.

Tyler Smith scores 90 to win Super Series bull riding at Rodeo Houston

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2014 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 23, 2014) It took a score of 90 to secure the championship title in bull riding at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo at Reliant Stadium on Saturday, March 22, 2013.

Tyler Smith, who hails from Fruita, Colorado, returned to Houston for the fourth time to compete in the Super Series bull riding and showed the crowd that in attendance that he came to win.
He stated in the post-event press conference:

“I was just trying to focus on riding bulls, jump for jump. And it all worked out.”

With the win, the veteran of 18 years of rodeo competition pockets $50,000 for his championship ride, raising his prize money from Houston in 2014 to $56,200.

He only had one eight-second ride, earning him the score of 91, in Super Series III, having been bucked off the bull on his first and third rides. He advanced to semi-finals, scoring a 94 to place first. In the championship round he scored an 86, which placed him second going into the Shootout.

That is where he scored 90 to best the three other riders on this dirt of Reliant Stadium.
Elliot Jacoby, from Fredericksburg, Texas placed second with the score of 89, pocketing $23,200 in prize money for his efforts.

Third place was taken by Clayton Foltyn with the score of 88, earning the Winnie, Texas native $15,150.

Corey Atwell, from Moravian North Carolina, took home $12,350 in prize money after placing fourth in the event.

More bull riding will be contested on Sunday, March 23, 2014 with the event part of the Super Shootout at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo when champions from various North American rodeos competing for $50,000 in prize money.

Rogers, Petsak combine to win team roping at Rodeo Houston

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2014 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 22, 2014) Teaming up to with their first Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo team roping championship, Erich Rogers and Cory Petska roped their way to the time of 4.2 seconds on the dirt inside Reliant Stadium on Saturday, March 22, 2014.

Rogers from Round Rock, Arizona, riding in the header position, Petska, from Lexington, Oklahoma, riding heeler, saved their best ride for last, scoring 52., 6.1 and 5.6 seconds in their Super Series rounds.

In the semi-finals, they scored 5.9 seconds to advance to the championship.
Their time of 5.3 seconds in the championship advanced them to the Shootout and their eventual title.

With the win, they pocked a total of $114,500 in prize money.

Petska was quoted after their win:

“It is equally amazing. I still got the same nerves, hands shaking. It is a great feeling.”

Rogers added:

“I think once I get on the road, it will sink in a lot more and realize I actually won that Rodeo.” 

The team of Arky Rogers (Lake City, Florida) and Travis Woodard (Stephenville, Texas) finished in second place with the time of 4.7 seconds, earning $59,000.
Nick Sartain (Yukon, Oklahoma) and Rich Skelton (Llano, Texas) placed third with the time of 5.2 seconds, collecting $27,500 in prize money.

The brother duo of Riley and Brady Minor from Ellesnburg, Washington recorded the time of 5.2 seconds and $22,400 for fourth place.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo continues on Sunday, March 23, 2014 with the Super Shootout at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo when champions from various North American rodeos competing for $50,000 in prize money.

Nancy Hunter repeats as barrel racing champion at Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo

Nancy Hunter took top honors and a check for 

$55,000 by winning her second consecutive barrel racing event in Houston.

Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2014 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (MARCH 23, 2014) The ladies got into the action on Saturday, March 22, 2014 as the Super Series finals in barrel racing was contested at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Four ladies took to the dirt inside Reliant Stadium, with Nancy Hunter taking the championship title.

Hunter, who along with her horse Fuzz, raced around the three barrels in the time of 14.25 second to claim $55,000 in prize money.

The mother of four, from Neola, Utah, repeated as barrel racing champion, having won the same event in 2013.

This was her second appearance in Houston and stated in the post-event press conference:

 “When you get around that third barrel, you just lean down to your horse and yell. That’s where luck comes in, or angels. When I went down that alleyway that last time, I thought, ‘this one is for my grandpa.’ He is the reason I’m here.”

The register nurse posted the times of 23.1, 14.7 and 14.2 seconds, with an aggregate time of 53.3 second to place fifth in Super Series IV.

She placed first in the first semi-finals with the time of 14.3 second and advanced to the Shootout with the time of 14.4 seconds and a second place finish.

Lisa Lockhart from Oelrichs South Dakota, placed second with the time of 14.4 second to claim $29,200 in prize money.

Third place went to Sherry Cervi, from Marana, Arizona with the time of 14.6 seconds, earning her $17,100.

Christy Loflin rounded out the top four, earning $11,200 with the time of 14.7 seconds.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo concludes on Sunday, March 23, 2014 with the Super Shootout, with champions from various North American rodeos competing for $50,000 in prize money.

Olin Hannum wins steer wrestling at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Olin Hannum was first place in steer
wrestling at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2014 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 22, 2014) After 19 days of competition, it came down to four contestants on Saturday, March 22, 2014 in the Super Series Steer WrestlingChampionship at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo inside Reliant Stadium.

Olin Hannum, from Malad, Idaho, claimed top honors, taking home the title after posting the time of 4.6 seconds.

The former quarterback at North Carolina State also took home a check for $54,325.

His win was a mere two-tenths of a second faster than second place finished Luke Branquinho.

Branquinho, who hails from Los Alamos, California, claimed second place with the time of 4.8 seconds and the prize money in the amount of $26,850.

Dean Gorsuch, from Gering, Nebraska, was third place with the time of 13.9 seconds; winning $12,900.

Gorsuch was assessed a 10 second penalty after jumping the gun out of the shoot.

Fourth place was Kale Rinehart from Highmore South Dakota.

He failed to complete the ride and won the fourth place prize money of $10,650.

Hannum, who competed in the Super Series IV, tallied times of 5.6, 6.6, and 4.9 seconds for an aggregate time of 17.1 seconds to place second in the series.

He advanced to the first semi-final round, placing second with the time of 4.4 seconds.

In the championship, he posted the time of 3.6 seconds, which advanced him into the Shootout in first place.

Rodeo competition at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo concludes on Sunday, March 23, 2014 with the Super Shootout, with champions from various North American rodeos competing for $50,000 in prize money.

Competition begins at 3:45 p.m. with the Zac Brown Band taking to the circular stage inside Reliant Stadium.

Grand Champion steer sold for $400,000 at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2014 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 22, 2014) Saturday, March 22, 2014 at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo kicked off with the Junior Market Steer Auction. Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion were determined on Friday evening with Flint Newman receiving top honors and Kaden Hatla earning reserve honors.

Newman, representing Martin County 4-H of Stanton Texas, sat back and watched a bidding war for his Grand Champion Charolais, with the group of consisting of Evelyn and Roger Bethune; Vanessa, Chris, Kyle, and Rhianna Bruegger; Sally and Rigo Flores; and Mary Alice and Ed Lester bidding $400,000.

The winning bid was more than the winning bid in 2013 of $360,000, but was well below the world record price of $600,001 set in 2002. The 18-year old will receive a guaranteed payment of $75,000 with a potential payment of $85,000.

In the Reserve Grand Champion auction, the Champagne Cowgirls bid $201,000 for Hatla’s Limousin.

The group of 18 women matched the winning bid from 2013, but came in under the $365,000 price from 2001. The 17-year-old Nazareth FFA student from Dimmitt, Texas will receive a guaranteed payment of $40,000 with a maximum possible payout of $45,000.

The activities continued on Saturday afternoon and early evening with the championships of each event in the rodeo.

The top four places in the champion round advance to the Shootout finals will the winners becoming Rodeo Houston champions.

After the rodeo competition, the musical performance of the evening began with The Band Perry taking to the circular stage on the dirt inside Reliant Stadium.

Broiler, Turkey Grand Champion named at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 15, 2014) Competition at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is not limited to events such as bull riding and steer wrestling. On Thursday, March 13, 2014, the Junior Market Poultry Auction was held and record amounts were earned by the broilers and turkeys in the auction.FFA and 4-H members from around the state of Texas prepare just as hard as traditional athletes for what they consider the championship season of their chosen passion.

The Grand Champion Market Broilers was won by 10-year old Weston Bauer, representing Bastrop Country 4-H from Red Rock, Texas. The winning bid of $165,000 was made by Tommy Fogle, Greg Miller, John Schiller, and Mitzy and Tom Fleissner, , representing Energy XXL. Their bid exceeded the winning price from 2013; $160,000, but was well below the world record price of $201,000 set in 2007. Bauer will receive a guaranteed payment if $30,000 with a potential maximum payment of $40,000.

In the Tom Turkey Division, the Grand Champion Turkey was won by 18-year old Andrew Horacefield of Crosby, Texas, representingHarris County 4-H. The winning bid was $115,000 by Statoil, Terre Albert, Vanessa and Chris Bruegger and Belinda and Mark Young. Their bid exceeded the 2013 price ($110,000) but was also under the world record set in 2007 of $175,000. Horacefield will also receive a guaranteed payment if $30,000 with a potential maximum payment of $40,000.

The Reserve Grand Champion Market Broiler went to B. F. Terry High School FFA student Grant Hruzek. The 18-year-old from Rosenberg, Texas tallies a $125,000 price for his entry.Beverly Wren was the highest bidder, with her bid beating the 2013 price of $105,000.

The Reserve Grand Champion Junior Market Turkey went to 18-year-old Clay Glaze of the Wharton County 4-H of El Campo, Texas. A world record was set with the winning bid; $140,000 by Shirley and Randy Meyer, Robin Young-Ellis and Joe Ellis, Deanna L. and Larry C. Johnson, Kelly and Becky Joy.

Both Hruzek and Glaze will receive a guaranteed payment of $15,000, with a potential maximum payment of $20,000.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo continues through March 23, 2014.

Luke Bryan headlines March 17 performance at Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2014 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 17, 2014) On Monday, March 17, 2014, country music favorite Luke Bryan returns to the revolving stage inside Reliant Stadium for his third consecutive performance at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The winner of numerous country music awards, Bryan previous preformed in Houston in 2012 and 2013, to rave reviews and sellout crowds.

The 37-year-old country and country pop singer and songwriter from Leesburg, Georgia broke into the country music scene in 2007 and has been going strong ever since. In 2010 at the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards, he received three awards; Top New Solo Vocalist, Top New Artist, and Breakthrough Video of the Year. He followed up the record setting year of 2010 with a sweep at the American Country Awards in 2012; scoring nine wins including Artist of the Year. In 2013, his Sunday, March 16 performance is ranked number two on the all-time Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo paid attendance at 75,242.

Bryan has released four albums during his career: I’ll Stay Me (2007), Doin’ My Thing (2009), Tailgates & Tanlines (2011) and Crash My Party (2013). He has been nominated for three ACM awards for 2014: Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Album of the YearCrash My Party. Prior to his performance, the second round of the BP Super Series V will be contested inside Reliant Stadium. Super Series competition includes tie-down roping, bareback riding, team roping, saddle bronc riding steer wrestling, barrel racing, bull riding and calf scramble.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo continues through Sunday, March 23, with rodeo competition, livestock show and judging, and nightly musical performances.

Country music favorites headline week two of Rodeo Houston

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2014 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 10, 2014) The second full week of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo will see attendance swell as spring break commences for all Houston area high schools and colleges during the week of March 10-14, 2014.

Each evening begins at 6:45 p.m. with the BP Super Series followed by the evening concert.

The BP Super Series is an international, invitational only rodeo with cowboys and cowgirls competing for over $1.6 million in prize money. Events include bareback riding, barrel racing, tie-down roping, team roping, bull riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding and bull riding.

Following each evening’s rodeo competition, the musical part of the evening begins.

On Monday, March 10, REO Speedwagon takes to the circular stage at Reliant Stadium. This will be the second appearance for the quintet, with their first appearance at Rodeo Houston coming in 2002.

Tuesday, March 11 has Georgia native Jason Aldean making his fifth straight appearance in Houston. Jake Owen headlines the Wednesday evening, March 13 performance, followed by Maroon 5 on Thursday, March 13. Keith Urban closes out the week on Friday, March 14. Owen also appeared in 2013, with Maroon 5 performing in 2005 and 2006. Urban has made four previous performances in 2005, 2009, 2010, and 2011.

The final weekend of spring break will see Hunter Hayes performing on Saturday, March 15 and Pesado on Go Tejano Day on Sunday, March 16. In addition to the concerts inside Reliant Stadium, country music fans can enjoy the best-in-Texas music nightly inside The Hideout. Located on the east side of Reliant Stadium, the Hideout is open to fans 21-years of age and older with admission included in the cost of their admission to Reliant Park. Performances included during spring break week include Kenefick on Monday, March 10, John Slaughter on Tuesday, March 11, and Junior Gordon on Wednesday, March 12.

Conner Christian & Southern Gothic will take to the stage on Thursday, March 13 and Thieving Birds on Friday March 14.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo continues through March 23, 2014.

REO Speedwagon headlines Rodeo Houston on March 10, 2014

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2014 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 10, 2014) Baby boomers and classic rock and roll music aficionados will certainly be in heaven on Monday evening, March 10, 2014 as REO Speedwagon takes to the circular, rotating stage inside Reliant Stadium at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

The quintet, who made their first appearance at Rodeo Houston in 2002, returns for their second concert to entertain rodeo fans following the nightly rodeo competition.,
Keyboard and piano player Neal Doughty, who has been with the group since its inception in 1967 will lead his four band mates in such favorites as “Take It on the Run,” “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” “Keep on Loving You,” and “Times for Me to Fly.” Doughty also plays synthesizer and organ.

Lead vocal Kevin Cronin, who also plays rhythm guitar and adds time on piano and keyboard, has been with the band from 1976. He also played with the group from 1972-1973. Bruce Hall has played bass guitar and sang vocals since 1977, with Dave Amato playing lead guitar and vocals since 1989. Bryan Hitt, who joined in 1989, contributes to the group’s unique sound on drums and percussion. The band has sold over 40 million records and have had thirteen Top 40 hits, inc1uding two number one songs.

Following their appearance at Rodeo Houston, REO Speedwagon will head to Wichita Falls, Texas for a March 12, 2014 concert at Wichita Falls Memorial Auditorium.
On March 14, 2014 they will performance at the Stiefel Theatre in Salina, Kansas.
In early 2014, it was announced that REO Speedwagon and the rock group Chicago would be teaming up for 15 concert dates throughout 2014.

Cronin was quoted on the All Access website concerning the collaborated concerts between REO Speedwagon and Chicago:

"With so many personal connections between various members of REO and Chicago, it is amazing that we have never actually toured together. I love it that the Chicago guys feel the way we do about truly playing together when you tour together.  Can you imagine the Chicago horn section on 'Roll With the Changes'? That would blow my mind! This tour promises to deliver some unique music from two bands who have made a ton of hit records, share that Midwest work ethic, and still refuse to sit back on their past accomplishments. We both keep raising the bar, challenging ourselves, and rocking hard... and the audience is the ultimate winner. We are psyched... I can't wait for this tour."

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