The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo changed things up this year, waiting until 11:59 p.m. on a Sunday to reveal its full 2014 concert lineup rather than breaking it up into several releases.
Still, the midnight hour certainly hasn't turned the Rodeo into a pumpkin. Not with a lineup that includes Luke Bryan (March 17), Brad Paisley (opening night March 4), Blake Shelton (March 20), Usher (March 7), Reba (March 6), 2013 one-song sensation Robin Thicke (March 18), tween favorite Selena Gomez (March 9) and REO Speedwagon (March 11). Anticipation for these Rodeo lineups has grown so heated that the Rodeo site was temporarily overwhelmed by fans checking out the announcement, causing extremely slow load times.
Thicke and Usher are something of crossover coups for the Rodeo, while many of the major country acts are Houston Rodeo regulars. Keith Urban is coming back for the fifth time. For Luke Bryan, it's his third straight Rodeo. And Reba McEntire — whose show figures to be one of the most-sought-after tickets — is returning for the 19th time.
Just looking for eye candy? Adam Levine — People Magazine's reigning Sexiest Man Alive — and the rest of Maroon 5 will be hitting the Rodeo as well.
The full 2014 Rodeo concert lineup:
Tuesday, March 4....................................................................... Brad Paisley
Wednesday, March 5 – Armed Forces Appreciation Day....................................................... Eli Young Band
Thursday, March 6....................................................................................................................................... Reba
Friday, March 7 – Black Heritage Day, sponsored by Kroger ................................................................... Usher
Saturday, March 8........................................................................................................................... Chris Young
Sunday, March 9.......................................................................................................................... Selena Gomez
Monday, March 10................................................................................................................. REO Speedwagon
Tuesday, March 11........................................................................................................................ Jason Aldean
Wednesday, March 12...................................................................................................................... Jake Owen
Thursday, March 13.............................................................................................................................. Maroon 5
Friday, March 14.............................................................................................................................. Keith Urban
Saturday, March 15...................................................................................................................... Hunter Hayes
Sunday, March 16 – Go Tejano Day.................................................................................... Pesado, Banda MS
Monday, March 17..................................................................................... Luke Bryan, presented by Miller Lite
Tuesday, March 18......................................................................................................................... Robin Thicke
Wednesday, March 19*..................................................................................................... Florida Georgia Line
Thursday, March 20...................................................................................................................... Blake Shelton
Friday, March 21........................................................................................................................... Easton Corbin
Saturday, March 22 – RodeoHouston BP Super Series Championship................................. The Band Perry
Sunday, March 23 – RodeoHouston Super Shootout........................................................... Zac Brown Band
This year's lineup has a lot to live up to considering George Strait said his Rodeo goodbye in one of the most anticipated Houston concerts ever in 2013. And Mary J. Blige and Pitbull shook things up as well.
RodeoHouston is not afraid to embrace the future though. Houston's entertainment granddaddy became the 10th most checked in Facebook location in the United States in 2013, putting it up there with places like Walt Disney World and Fenway Park despite the fact that it's only a three-week-long event. With more than 300,000 Facebook fans and a record-shattering 2.5 million visitors, the Houston Rodeo is arguably more popular than ever in its 83rd year.
The 2014 Houston Rodeo runs from March 4 to March 23. Season tickets for all the Rodeo concerts are available here. Individual tickets go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m.
Reba
