2017 Houston Rodeo Lineup Shows Some Improvement. Some.
Call it cautious or guarded optimism, but after the abomination that was the 2016 Houston Rodeo musical lineup led by folks such as Luke Bryan, Pitbull, and Florida Georgia Line, and where only one artist with Texas ties and only one female performer were booked (and both were Miranda Lambert), they couldn’t go any lower, that’s for sure.
Of course the Houston Rodeo lineup is never going to fully appease the tough-nosed traditional country fans residing down in Texas. And when you have an event of this size, you’re going to have the mainstream names show up. All of this is understandable. But dammit, if you’re going to throw a shindig in Houston, TX, maybe consider having one or two Houston names, and a few Texas names in the mix.
The 2017 lineup for The Houston Rodeo released earlier this week does that. Along with the usual popular names like Thomas Rhett, Sam Hunt, and Luke Bryan, the 2017 Rodeo will also feature Willie Nelson, Houston’s own ZZ Top, and Aaron Watson, who is not only a favorite among Texas country fans, but a favorite among rodeo fans. Last year Saving Country Music said in its rant, “All the great work artists like Aaron Watson have done on the rodeo circuit, and this is the lineup we get? Ever heard of Chris Stapleton? He’s like the hottest country music artist on the planet right now. Maybe look into it.”
And lo and behold, somebody did. Aaron Watson will be opening the festivities in 2017, and Chris Stapleton was also booked. Many Texans will also be happy to see Alan Jackson in the lineup.
The point has never been to completely flip the table and book a bunch of low-drawing traditional country artists to an event like this, but to instill it with a bit more equality, so everyone can pick a night they want to go and listen to music that fits their style. More still could be done. There’s only three female performers this year. But it’s an improvement.
As always, the smaller Hideout stage has some of the best music the Rodeo offers, and this year it will feature Wade Andrew Smith, Mike and the Moonpies, The Strayhearts, Josh Ward, Texas Renegade, Bri Bagwell, Curtis Grimes, Cameran Nelson, Jason James, Randy Brown, John Baumann, No Dry County, Max Stalling, Conno, Darrin Morris Band, Flatland Cavalry, and Hoss Mayfield. (see Hideout lineup calendar)
The 2017 Houston Lineup more properly reflects the changing environment in mainstream country music. Sure, acts like Luke Bryan and Florida Georgia Line still rule the roost on radio. But now artists like Aaron Watson are scoring #1 records, and Chris Stapleton is sweeping awards. Events like the Houston Rodeo should be for everyone, and reflect all aspects of country and Texas music. In 2017, it edged a little closer to that ideal.
January 12, 2017 @ 9:31 am
I think it’s also worth mentioning that the BBQ cook off Miller light stage at the garden will be featuring Cory morrow, Roger creager , Mike and the moonpies, flatland Calvary, Zane Williams, Shooter Jennings and a few others. Also I thought Jason Boland was going to do the hide party, but I’m not positive.
I got to be honest, the rodeo concerts have kind of sucked for awhile now. NRG stadium isnt the best venue for concert, cool for rodeo though. I enjoy the livestock show more personally. You can’t see or hear anything unless you get seats on the ground. I am only going to see Shooter Jennings at cook off, $15 and a free bbq sandwich you can’t beat that.
Aaron Watson is ok, but I wouldn’t pay to see him in a stadium. Don’t want to be in same room as “average” Stapleton can, as I have seen it they are mostly Luke Bryan fans first (drink a beer).
January 12, 2017 @ 10:14 am
I was looking at the lineup and I don’t get some of the performers. I love Blink182 but I don’t see them fitting in with a rodeo crowd.
January 12, 2017 @ 10:43 am
This looks like a mix of some good and some bad.
I sure like Mike and the Moonpies, Corry Morrow, Roger Creager and Zane Williams.
I also like Shooter pretty much, at least his first few albums.
I’m waiting to hear is going to play the pre-race show at the Daytona 500 next month.
A couple of years ago, it was Kid Rock, who I couldn’t hear or see because I was on the backstretch, and last year it was, very regrettably, FGL right in front of me.
I have a hard time even listening to those guys at all.
January 12, 2017 @ 11:01 am
Stadium shows stink in general if you actually care about music, but honestly I like Aaron Watson and wouldn’t pay to see him at the rodeo, it’s dumb. As I saw a lot of people saying on fb, why would you pay to see him in a stadium if you can generally see him in a much smaller venue?
January 12, 2017 @ 11:03 am
I’ve not been in 20+ years and the best thing about that show was all the girls wearing Wrangler’s…. 🙂
January 12, 2017 @ 11:25 am
I fear for Willie in this spot. Although his voice has rebounded a little the past few years since he chose not to burn anymore (just vaping), this venue with this mix crowd could swallow up what’s left of him. I’ve seen cruel comments left by “fans” on social media after Willie’s performed boldly in more genial theater settings. I wish he wasn’t put in this situation.
January 13, 2017 @ 6:43 am
I partially agree with you. On another forum, we saw a few threads trash talking his performances(all the negative posters were early in their 20s), myself and many many others came to his defense. But he did take a break in Hawaii I think to rest, and the sound really sucks at NRG anyway. This is more just so folks can say, “I saw Willie Nelson”, cause it’s almost impossible to enjoy a concert at NRG. I also say partially agree, cause I think Willie can handle anything, including negative criticism
January 12, 2017 @ 11:36 am
I like TAB BENOIT. ….
January 12, 2017 @ 3:18 pm
You spelled No Dry County wrong. Twice!
January 12, 2017 @ 6:42 pm
i get to cross another show off my bucket list (willie nelson) thanks to the rodeo lineup this year so i really can’t complain
January 12, 2017 @ 9:24 pm
There are much better venues to see him in.
January 14, 2017 @ 2:41 pm
i’ve been to nrg for rodeo and football games in the past and the sounds not great but i would really love to tell my friends i got to see willie live
that’s probably the only reason i’m going to rodeo this year
January 15, 2017 @ 12:57 pm
I understand and if I were 40 or even 30 years younger I might fight the crowds and traffic so I could say I’d seen him if I hadn’t…. but I’ve seen him about 4 times (IMS) the first time being in the late 60’s at “The Fireman’s Parade of Stars” at Jones Hall downtown before he became the icon he is now. I also saw him at the (no longer happening) Chilympiad in San Marcos just as he was getting famous. Also saw him at the Pasadena Rodeo and also the Woodlands and believe me, he can mesmerize a crowd but having never seen him at a large venue I’m not sure how it’ll play out.
I saw Elvis the year he died at that Mega Church (don’t recall what it was called) where the Rockets played just so I could say I’d seen Elvis. I was disappointed. But good luck and hope you enjoy the show.
January 15, 2017 @ 8:14 pm
i don’t go to big venues often, most of the shows i’ve been to since i turned 21 almost 3 years ago have been in clubs, i’ve also gone to a local fair where i live that the past 2 years had jamey johnson and blackberry smoke play, two of the best live shows i’ve been to, and these were in my hometown in a freaking park.
also that megachurch is lakewood formerly known as the forum, where the rockets played before the compaq center (now known as the toyota center).
January 12, 2017 @ 7:49 pm
This is pretty much exactly how I feel. Aaron Watson should have been playing that stage last year. But better late than never!
January 17, 2017 @ 3:53 pm
Justin, Lakewood Church was the Compaq Center. Before that it was known as The Summit (back in the days when arena had regular names and no corporate sponsors).
Toyota Center has always been the Toyota Center. Toyota was the original sponsor and has retained that sponsorship ever since.
January 27, 2017 @ 12:13 pm
my mistake, i always thought compaq and toyota were the same building also i don’t know where i got the forum from.
January 14, 2017 @ 7:20 pm
I quit going to the Houston Rodeo in 1991. I loved when it was at the Houston Astrodome. It was real rodeo back then, nothing but country.
January 18, 2017 @ 9:57 am
They have a great band like Mike and the moonpies and then have Luke Bryan on the same event smh.
January 25, 2017 @ 2:35 pm
Jason James is as close as you can get to traditional old school country and he is playing The Hideout March 17th the same night as Fifth Harmony . Ok, not bashing Fifth Harmony at all but, that is not a good match up of music. He’s honored to play there for the second year in a roll but worried about the turn out . I said gain some new fans and keep keepin country real!
Sure appreciate all the support and this website from you Trigger!