Hey Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, Your 2016 Lineup Blows
On Monday, January 11th, the official lineup for the 2016 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo set to go down March 1st through 20th was “announced” by astronaut Scott Kelly from the International Space Station. And Houston, we have a problem.
Perhaps the aeronautical histrionics were a bid to distract everyone back on Earth from the fact that this year’s lineup is the most mundane, most mainstream-centric and generic pop tart Kellogg’s cereal assemblage of plastic talent ever accrued on this beautiful blue planet. In truth astronaut Scott Kelly didn’t announced dick. They just rolled a pre-recorded intro from him before lo-fi graphics rolled of the various performers in a presentation that looked like it was put together by some Rice University flunkout from the A/V lab (see below).
So remember, this is supposed to be the HOUSTON Rodeo, in HOUSTON, TX. So how many Houston-born or Houston-based performers made the main stage? Try zero. Not a single one. However there’s five performers from Georgia, four performers from Florida, two from Alabama and Tennessee respectively, and performers from California, Canada, Michigan, and even Australia. And how many performers made the final list from the greater Texas region? You know, the biggest state in the union save for Alaska and one of the biggest generators of country music talent anywhere? Try one: Miranda Lambert. Oh, and shes the only female solo artist to make the entire 20-day lineup; the mixed gender groups of The Band Perry and Little Big Town notwithstanding.
I mean this lineup is the most predictable, most cookie-cutter mainstream thing you could possibly amass, not taking into consideration regional flavor, or representing the legends of country whatsoever, while only giving the amazing females of country music a passing sniff. The CMA Awards are more diverse than this Texas horse shit. Basically, the International Space Station might as well have beamed down a big-ass middle finger to the residents of the Lone Star State. This is Music Row’s big parade of stars marching right down the gullet of one of the last bastions of true, independent country left in this fair nation.
Yes, The Houston Rodeo has been getting progressively, and progressively worse over the years, so don’t think you’re pointing out something we already didn’t know. But 2016 is the year they have completely eradicated any and all pretenses of being nothing more than a puppet for the mainstream country music industry. The folks in Houston don’t get to choose this lineup, the lineup is chosen for them. So shut up and enjoy Cole Swindell.
In fairness, there is a side stage (aptly named the Hideout), where Justin van Sant, Trent Willmon, Zane Williams, Cooper Wade, Jason James, Jamie Richards, Abbi Walker, Aaron Einhouse, Cameron Nelson, Max Stalling, Mark Monaco and the Strayhearts, JB and the Moonshine Band, Bri Bagwell, Mike and the Moonpies, Josh Ward and Sam Riggs will try and get folks to pay attention as they rush by trying to get funnel cakes for the family, or find the Jon. But it’s a popcorn fart compared to the support the Houston Rodeo once gave to its fellow Texans.
Look, I understand you’ve got to have some mainstream names to put butts in seats. This is all about busine$$. But are you really going to try and tell me that Cole Swindell and Billy Currington are going to draw better than if you put Wade Bowen and Randy Rogers on the same night, especially after they just name dropped your event in their last record together? This lineup sucks ass. They might as well just project a rebroadcast of the CMA Fan Fest on the side of the Astrodome and save the talent budget, or just loop the latest Now That’s What I Call Country CD over the loud speakers. 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.
Here, see if you can spin doctor up this turd:
- Tuesday, March 1 – First Responders Day — The Band Perry
- Wednesday, March 2 – Armed Forces Appreciation Day — Chris Young
- Thursday, March 3 — Jason Aldean
- Friday, March 4 – Black Heritage Day — Jason Derulo
- Saturday, March 5 — Cole Swindell
- Sunday, March 6 — Shawn Mendes
- Monday, March 7 — Miranda Lambert
- Tuesday, March 8 — Pitbull
- Wednesday, March 9 — Brett Eldredge
- Thursday, March 10 — Luke Bryan
- Friday, March 11 — Darius Rucker
- Saturday, March 12 — Billy Currington
- Sunday, March 13 – Go Tejano Day — Los Huracanes Del Norte/Banda Los Recoditos
- Monday, March 14 — Kenny Chesney
- Tuesday, March 15 — Kid Rock
- Wednesday, March 16 — Jake Owen
- Thursday, March 17 — Florida Georgia Line
- Friday, March 18 — Little Big Town
- Saturday, March 19 – RODEOHOUSTON Super Series Championship — Brad Paisley
- Sunday, March 20 – RODEOHOUSTON Super Shootout — Keith Urban
January 11, 2016 @ 7:39 pm
Are you sure you didn’t accidently list the nominees for ACM Artist of the Year?
January 11, 2016 @ 7:48 pm
Pitbull!?? Is that for real?? Maybe Derulo and Luke can do a split screen circle jerk like the ad for that app I keep seeing everywhere.
January 28, 2016 @ 6:51 pm
Pitbull has been at HLSR for years.. Where have you been?
January 11, 2016 @ 7:48 pm
Pitbull thrown in the middle is both weird and fitting
January 11, 2016 @ 7:53 pm
CRAPFEST 2016 WOOOOOO
Cause nothing says “rodeo” like Jason Derulo and Pitbull. Actually wait… Shawn Mendes? The “Stitches” guy? Seriously? I guess Justin Beiber wasn’t available.
January 11, 2016 @ 7:54 pm
Forget Whitey Morgan and Cody Jinks -nothing says country like Shawn Mendes and Pitbull.
January 11, 2016 @ 7:56 pm
If I missed this info, I apologize (watching CFB championship game). Who is the promoter(s)? And what did the lineup look like in past years?
January 11, 2016 @ 8:16 pm
The promoter is clearly Satan. The Houston rodeo has always booked mainstream artists, and it has been getting progressively worse. But nothing like this. Someone just sent me a posted on Twitter from the 90’s, and it was George Jones and Conway Twitty, two nights with George Strait, The Judds, Rodney Crowell, Clint Black, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, etc. etc.
January 11, 2016 @ 9:00 pm
Phyllis Stark has an article about the guy in charge of booking this event in the Billboard Country Update out tonight. The guy comes from a Clear Channel radio background and he mentions something about his motto is ‘play the hits’ so I guess that is the thinking here.
What a strange mix though with Pitbull and the Canadian teenager mixed in with a bunch of veteran mainstream country acts.
January 11, 2016 @ 10:03 pm
I wonder if they tried to get George Strait. I feel like this is the kinda thing he’d do post-touring, and it would generate tons of buzz.
January 11, 2016 @ 10:35 pm
Didn’t they make a big deal about him playing it for the last time a few years ago?
January 14, 2016 @ 10:50 am
OMG… I just retired and can’t wait to hit my dream target–Houston Livestock Show. After hearing repeatedly about the progressive decline, and viewing this line up, I believe my excitement is gone. I agree, Houston show should be filled with Texas entertainment Thank You from Arizona
January 11, 2016 @ 7:59 pm
What, no Adam Levine or X Ambassadors?
January 11, 2016 @ 8:10 pm
Mike and the moonpies need to take the stitches guys place our jason derula….
January 11, 2016 @ 9:51 pm
There’s some really great artists on the Hideout stage, and it’s a huge opportunity for them to get to play this event. I don’t want to take away from their honor with my snark, but some things needed to be said. You ask me, they should invert the Hideout and main stage lineups, and it would be just about perfect.
January 12, 2016 @ 6:27 pm
I go to a few blues festivals a year and the good music is always on some side stage partially hidden away. I wonder why that happens.
January 11, 2016 @ 8:37 pm
Kid Rock is the highlight of that lineup.
January 12, 2016 @ 7:34 am
Yes, and that is sad.
January 11, 2016 @ 8:37 pm
How about Luke Kaumfan? Maybe the realest cowboy musician out there right now.
January 11, 2016 @ 8:58 pm
Dear savingcountrymusic after having a dozen top ten songs on the Texas Charts thru the years and writing songs for other artist like Hal Kechum, Kevin Fowler, Ken Mellons and many others, maybe I could get a mention, I write my own songs and they are more country than most!! I need to get you some of my music! I’m playing the hideout on Mar.7 and have played it many times before!
January 11, 2016 @ 9:49 pm
Hey Jamie,
I am very sorry you were not mentioned in this article. I just added your name to this post, as well as the names of the other Hideout performers that were not mentioned initially. Another one of the performers also reached out, confused of why I hadn’t mentioned them either. The names of the Hideout performers I posted were ALL of the names that I saw on the press info about the Houston Rodeo. Why some of the names were there and some weren’t, I can’t tell you. But I just pulled up the Hideout schedule from the website and made sure everyone’s name is represented here.
Also, please don’t let it come across that I don’t support you, or any of the Hideout participants. I fully appreciate this is a big opportunity for many artists. It’s just unfortunate that the promoters have to make a mockery of this important Texas music institution by booking headliners like Pitbull.
I wish you and all the Hideout performers the best. If I make it to the rodeo this year, you know where I’ll be hanging out. 🙂
January 11, 2016 @ 9:06 pm
That’s literally the worst line-up I’ve ever seen. It could only be worst if they somehow got Iggy Azalea in on this mess.
January 12, 2016 @ 7:36 am
Or Sam Hunt.
January 12, 2016 @ 8:59 am
I think y’all just said the same thing.
January 12, 2016 @ 11:24 am
I thought Sam Hunt was Justin Beiber’s “country” alter ego?
January 11, 2016 @ 11:11 pm
as someone who’s from Houston and broke a 2 year streak of going to rodeo last year because the lineup blew last year also I have to agree with you to the point that I have decided to take a trip with a friend to the san Antonio rodeo too see Chris Stapleton
January 11, 2016 @ 11:36 pm
I looked at the San Antonio rodeo lineup for a direct comparison, and while there’s some overlap, San Antonio’s looks more appealing to me by a good margin. I don’t know enough about these events to know if they’re usually on about the same level ? The Wikipedia article on the Houston rodeo has a list of the top ten attendance figures for their past concerts.
January 12, 2016 @ 12:15 am
By Jove, that’s painfully predictable! O__O
It almost leaves me feeling shocked they couldn’t get Korn and Papa Roach to cater to the angry suburban crowd, and 2 Chainz and Silento to draw the luxury rap demographic. You’re slipping, organizers! 😉
January 12, 2016 @ 6:16 am
I am now imagining the great Tom Lehrer and the not-so-great 2 Chainz performing a duet of “Ole Dope Peddler” at a rodeo.
January 12, 2016 @ 5:16 am
Watching that show would be like eating 20 shit-flavored cotton candies.
Maybe their ‘fans’ will turn to good country music to cure their stomach-ache?
January 12, 2016 @ 6:28 am
Paisley and Miranda aren’t bad and I like Darius up to right after ” Wagon Wheel”… After that, though.
January 12, 2016 @ 6:31 am
Will Pitbull be wearing a cowboy hat? Is that what makes him country?
I’ve seen him perform once; who the bloody hell told him that he can sing? Granted, it might be that strictly speaking he isn’t attempting to sing.
January 12, 2016 @ 11:54 am
Honestly, I’d rather see Pitbull live than the vast majority of the “country” entertainers listed.
Pitbull can’t sing and his lyrics are pretty much recycled catchphrases and corporate shrilling. But his saving grace is fully injecting himself into his performances, with an energetic live band. And when your act is centered entirely around having fun and a “Carpe diem!” mission statement…………..he comes across as a very believable and charismatic performer when his exuberance on stage matches his message. He genuinely SOUNDS like he’s having the time of his life.
The same can’t be said for many of the “country” names listed.
I’m not saying Pitbull belongs at a rodeo event by any stretch. Still, I’d find seeing him live more enjoyable than Aldean yell: “Get down in that Georgia clay!” like he’s threatening me, or Luke Bryan throw rap and hip-hop song medleys.
January 13, 2016 @ 2:10 pm
My guilty pleasure would be to see a duet: Pitbull and Dolly.
January 12, 2016 @ 6:57 am
Forget Houston, go to Fort Worth – it’s better than Houston any day anyway!
http://www.fwssr.com/?page_id=7188
January 12, 2016 @ 7:41 am
As a Houston native, my first concert was King George at the rodeo. It was amazing. I also saw him during, ostensibly, his last rodeo performance ever. I shudder to think that some poor kid’s first rodeo or maybe concert performance would be Brett Eldredge…
Jason Derulo, Pitbull and the Tejano bands are all intended to reflect diversity of the event and Houston in general. I think this a good thing and directing your ire towards these performers is not worthwhile. Unfortunately, we may get to a point where we need a Texas Heritage night on the main stage with someone remotely recognizable as a real country artist.
I think it’s time for SCM to point out the correlation (not necessarily causation) of truly awful performers from the state of Georgia.
Also, Jamie Richards is the absolute man and his songs are true Texas country you actually two step to. Houstonians in the know and true country fans will likely skip the terrible acoustics and atrocious main stage lineup and head straight to the Hideout to two step (at least that’s my plan).
My proposed lineup in no particular order:
Turnpike Troubadours
Chris Stapleton
Alan Jackson
Ronnie Dunn
Ashley Monroe
Miranda Lambert (she can stay)
Chris Young (he can stay)
Cody Johnson
Roger Creager
Dixie Chicks
Gary Allan (he’s played before)
Easton Corbin (stick to the older stuff Easton)
Kacey Musgraves
Josh Turner
Lee Ann Womack
Clay Walker Mark Chesnutt / Tracy Lawrence / Tracy Byrd (aka East Texas / Beaumont Heritage night)
Randy and Wade
January 12, 2016 @ 8:48 am
Believe it or not, I don’t have a problem with Jason Derulo, Pitbull and the Tejano bands. Houston is the most diverse city in the United States, and the second-most diverse behind Toronto in all of North America, including a huge Hispanic population. Everyone deserves to have their tastes represented, and those are big acts. It’s the lack of diversity among the country acts for a traditionally country event that I have a problem with. Maybe they could have found better non-country representatives as well, but a few nights that don’t appeal to country listeners is not a bad thing in my opinion.
January 12, 2016 @ 1:06 pm
As far as I can see, Pitbull is to Latin music culture what a band like Florida Georgia Line is to “country” music: a bland, homogenized, lowest common denominator version of the culture it purports to represent. Everything about this lineup screams “corporate.”
By the way, instead of having Pitbull at the rodeo, how about fellow Cuban-American and Miami native, Raul Malo? The Mavericks could even appeal to Latin music fans and country music fans at the same time! It’s a win-win, I say.
January 12, 2016 @ 10:14 am
My first Houston rodeo show was Alan Jackson back in ’99 when I was living in College Station, but all the others were with George Strait. It just isn’t the same without him.
Seconded on Jamie Richards. I actually bought a couple of his cds at Cactus Music on one of those rodeo trips, 2006 I think it was. Really enjoyed ’em.
I might replace Cody Johnson with Jason Boland and the Stragglers, but other than that, that’s a pretty solid lineup, bud. 😀
January 12, 2016 @ 11:21 am
I could see having Chris Young on the lineup if he were to play stuff from his first album.
January 12, 2016 @ 7:51 am
Yep, the HLS&R lineup has mirrored the decline of mainstream country for a few years now. And the bit about Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen mentioning it is why you get paid the big bucks, Trigger. Or should, anyway.
Sadly, to the people the rodeo is trying to sell tickets to, “The King” is probably Luke Bryan.
January 12, 2016 @ 8:11 am
It’s actually pretty interesting to compare the acts at all the major rodeos this year. They all have have some of the mainstream folks, including some that will be in Houston, but they still manage to get good Texas artists, older mainstream acts and independent folks in there.
Austin: http://www.rodeoaustin.com/events/live-music/
Willie Nelson, The Mavericks, Turnpike Troubadours and Kevin Fowler, among others
San Antonio: http://www.sarodeo.com/entertainers
Alan Jackson, Turnpike Troubadours, Chris Stapleton, Martina McBride, among others
Fort Worth: http://www.fwssr.com/?page_id=7188
Lots of good folks in this one. My favorites are Charlie Robison, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Mike & the Moonpies, Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison and many others.
It’s an interesting comparison. I wonder why the Houston Rodeo felt they had to go so mainstream that they couldn’t at least through in a couple alternative acts in the lineup?
January 12, 2016 @ 8:14 am
When I first read the references to the “stitches” guy being booked, I assumed it was this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtW6HW8jO_U
Sadly, I wasn’t surprised at all when I thought that’s who it was.
January 12, 2016 @ 8:19 am
All I know is that if you have a rodeo in Houston ,Texas (HOUSTON FREAKIN’ TTEXAS!) and you fail to add acts like Aaron Watson or Cody Johnson to the list of performances…..then the guy that came up this list must be from downtown New York…
January 12, 2016 @ 8:45 am
Some relatives are dragging me to the Buckeye Country Superfest this summer. If you want to see a terrible line-up, check that one out….
January 12, 2016 @ 9:22 am
Going one day w/ the family-looking forward to Miranda. Always like her actual tours better but she is the only one everyone in the family likes. 🙂
January 12, 2016 @ 10:20 am
Bill Cosby was there in 1990 and 1991. So… there’s that.
January 12, 2016 @ 10:33 am
The HLS&R lineup reflects the overall weakening of the genre. Keep in mind that NRG Stadium seats about 75,000+ fans, so you have to have someone who will sell tickets. And there simply aren’t many true country artists who can fill the seats.
Even 10 years ago you had pretty solid traditional lineups with George Strait, Alan Jackson, VInce Gill, Reba, Martina McBride, etc. But those days, sadly, are long gone.
Of course, Houston has changed dramatically in recent years too. Some Bollywood performer would likely draw more than most traditional country artists. LOL
January 12, 2016 @ 11:30 am
I actually really like the Bollywood version of “Ring of Fire.” It is well-done comedy & remarkably more country than Sam Hunt.
January 12, 2016 @ 11:27 am
What a shitacular line up, telling ya’ll, the whole country is going ghetto!
January 12, 2016 @ 2:06 pm
Seriously?! I come here to read the latest in country news, and prefer not to read those words while.I’m reading! I get that this is your blog, and you can do what you want. I guess I’ll just go and find another blog somewhere. Besides, reading your ragging on artists I enjoy (country or not) is just getting rather tiresome. I get that many of these artists are not your cup of tea…but I love KC, Chris Young, some Brett, and older Luke and Jason (though their latest “hits” suck).I have an open mind when it comes to music, but some of it is just too much, I get it. It’s why I listen to easy listening rasio, now, and that’s sad…
January 12, 2016 @ 2:09 pm
Where’s Fall Out Boy? No Adele either?
January 12, 2016 @ 6:25 pm
Oh how I could imagine the amount of fake country people that will be present at that rodeo… The gym toned rock and roll revival jeaned (fag boy jeans) bros and the buckle bunnies wearing 1000$ in boutique clothing driving up in their lifted Trucks getting out with Luke Bryan or rap music blasting walking up cracking up lame ass jokes they got from vine and making a fool out of them selves. I will not be going to the rodeo thank God, instead I’ll be doing what a real country boy does and fix up my dads old equipment for the new year blasting 38 Special or 97.1 or something. Yeah I know this looks a little off topic but this how feel about how the rodeo is gonna go down.
January 12, 2016 @ 6:43 pm
For Black Heritage Day, how about some Charley Pride??? They probably think he is dead. Merle Haggard needs to start kicking someone’s ass.
January 12, 2016 @ 8:42 pm
I saw Kevin fowler there in 2008. Good show but the sound was fucking awful.
January 13, 2016 @ 5:31 pm
Boycotted the rodeo for the past three years. Terrible acts and they usually put on a half ass show. I saw Jennifer nettles fist pump so hard she fell on her butt. I saw brad paisley walk around not playing his guitar while lead was going on(free tickets). Saw lynyrd skynyrd they weren’t bad really at all. Used to love the rodeo now it is a gathering for all those country pop hipsters
January 13, 2016 @ 8:01 pm
If you are not happy with the lineup don’t make the drive and spend the money to go.
January 14, 2016 @ 4:37 am
Los Huracanes del Norte are pretty damn good. Only good bad in that lineup.
January 14, 2016 @ 1:10 pm
The side stage acts is where I’d be.
Those are good red dirt musicians. JB and the Moonshine Band are one of my favorites.
January 15, 2016 @ 7:20 pm
Please feel free to go in to that job in negotiate a contract price that the rodeo can afford to pay to entertainers that think they are worth more than they are to a nonprofit that has to keep in mind what they’re willing to pay. Everything looks easier from the outside in. If you actually did the job he would come to fine that you really can’t make anyone happy no matter what you do. So you just might as well do what’s best for the show.
January 28, 2016 @ 8:53 am
I am glad I am not the only one that thought the line up was lame.
January 28, 2016 @ 1:05 pm
What happened to Classic Rock night??? I have a badge and this is the 4th+ year I haven’t given a flying fart in space about actually going!!