The SUV dropped Sam Hunt off at the stage just a little before 9, starting off Monday night’s performance with "Leave The Light On" as he made his debut RodeoHouston appearance. He was wearing a white T-shirt, black cargo pants, high-top tennis shoes and a backwards cap (oh and that new ring that looks awfully like a wedding ring) — not your typical Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo outfit, but still fun, like the singer-songwriter's energy on stage.
"I want y’all to kick back and relax. If y’all have a good time up there, I think we can close it out," the former football player said noting how far the crowd was from the rotating stage.
Hunt introduced his band to the 70,263 in attendance during the third song, which is about the time the nerves seemed to pass. "I want to thank Texas country radio for supporting us," he said before singing his brand new hit "Body Like A Back Road."
There seemed to be some sound issues and awkward pauses during and in between a few songs, including "Saturday Night," but the band quickly rebounded and the energy never wavered — from the crowd or from Hunt.
"Being here at the Rodeo tonight takes me back to my childhood. I had big dreams of being a bull rider one day, but that never seemed to work out. If getting to play at the biggest Rodeo in the world is as close as I ever get..." he trailed off to the crowd's applause.
Three years ago Hunt and his "buddies" played the BBQ Cookoff for about 70 folks, he exaggerated. "We had a blast," Hunt shared before singing "We Are Tonight," which he wrote for country super star Billy Currington. Hunt thanked Currington "wherever you are" for helping keep his career afloat while they ate gas station food and continued to push forward to make it in the tough industry.
It wasn't Saturday Night, but the Texas country star sure made a Monday feel more like a weekend with his energy.
Set List:
Leave The Light On
X2C
Raised On It
Body Like a Back Road
Saturday Night
I Met A Girl
Take Your Time
We Are Tonight
Cop Car
Speakers
House Party
Make You Miss Me
Break Up
Sam Hunt wore a white T-shirt, black cargo pants and a backwards cap — not your typical RodeoHouston outfit, but still fun, like his energy on stage.
