lizzo in the house?

7 big predictions for RodeoHouston's highly anticipated 2020 concert calendar

The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo has announced all the genres of music that'll be featured on the live-performance roster. Along with a dozen country nights, we also have nights devoted to pop, K-pop, Latin pop, hip-hop/R & B, hip-hop/pop, R & B/pop, EDM, and Norteño.

As for who's performing, that won't be announced until Thursday, January 9, 2020. (The three Friday performers will be announced on Tuesday, February 4.)

So, until that happens, let us give you a few predictions on who could be a part of the 20 performers who'll be hitting that star stage next March.

Billie Eilish
There's no doubt everyone would lose their stuff if everyone's favorite, platinum-selling enfant terrible would grace us with her presence. And considering that she doesn't have a listed tour stop on March 17 (aka RodeoHouston's pop night), there's a strong chance that might happen.

Lizzo and/or Megan Thee Stallion
Two of the hottest, sexiest rising stars in black music are also proud Houstonians. So, it would be a no-brainer to have the Grammy-nominated singer/rapper/flautist do either the hip-hop/pop or R & B/pop nights, while the always-twerking rapper behind "Hot Girl Summer" could do the hip-hop/R & B night.

BTS
There are so many K-pop groups that could easily show up for the K-pop night — but we all know there's only one people definitely want if RodeoHouston can get 'em. And since they just wrapped up their world tour in October, it would be nice if they gave Houstonians a taste of their live show.

Rosalia
She already killed it at Travis Scott's recent Astroworld Festival (where Kylie Jenner was in the audience, virtually giving her seal of approval), so she could easily return to Houston and rock the Latin pop night. Plus, if she does show up, there's a strong chance she'll bring Puerto Rican trap star (and rumored boo) Bad Bunny along for the ride.

The Highwomen
RodeoHouston could kill a lot of birds with one stone if they got this supergroup (which consists of Grammy winners Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, Amanda Shires, and recent Grammy nominee Natalie Hemby) for one of the country nights. But you might get a shortened version of the group — Shires will be touring a lot that month.

Dolly Parton
The living country legend, who hasn't performed there since 1978, continues to be RodeoHouston's great white whale (she was on our wishlist last year). As of late, she's been all over the place: there's that podcast, that Netflix show, that NBC special. Perhaps she could finally come back here and use this as a chance to promote all her projects.

Seriously, who doesn't love Dolly?

Courtesy photo

Seriously, who doesn't love Dolly?

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In Memoriam

Legendary Texas singer-songwriter Joe Ely dies at 78

Joe Ely/Facebook

Joe Ely was a major figure in Texas' progressive country scene.

Joe Ely, the legendary songwriter, singer and storyteller whose career spanned more than five decades, has died from complications related to Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and pneumonia. He was 78.

In a statement posted to his Facebook page, Ely died at his home in Taos, New Mexico, with his wife, Sharon, and daughter, Marie, at his side.

Born February 9, 1947, in Amarillo, Texas, Ely was raised in Lubbock and became a central figure among a generation of influential West Texas musicians. He later settled in Austin, helping shape the city’s reputation as a hub for live music.

As with many local legends, it's hard to tease out what specifically made Ely's time in Austin so great; Austin treasures its live music staples, so being around and staying authentic from the early days is often the most important thing an artist can do.

Ely got his local start at One Knight Tavern, which later became Stubb's BBQ — the artist and the famous venue share a hometown of Lubbock. He alternated nights with emerging guitar great Stevie Ray Vaughn. He built his own recording studio in Dripping Springs, and kept close relationships with other Texas musicians. Later in his career, Ely brought fans into the live music experience, publishing excerpts from his journal and musings on the road in Bonfire of Roadmaps (2010), and was inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame in 2022. Austin blues icon Marcia Ball was among Ely's friends who played the induction show.

"Joe Ely performed American roots music with the fervor of a true believer who knew music could transport souls," said Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

In the 1970s, Ely signed with MCA Records, launching a career that included decades of recording and touring around the world. His work and performances left a lasting impact on the music scene and influenced a wide range of artists, including the Clash and Bruce Springsteen, according to Rolling Stone.

"His distinctive musical style could only have emerged from Texas, with its southwestern blend of honky-tonk, rock & roll, roadhouse blues, western swing, and conjunto. He began his career in the Flatlanders, with fellow Lubbock natives Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock, and he would mix their songs with his through 50 years of critically acclaimed recordings. [...]"

Read the full story at KVUE.com. CultureMap has added two paragraphs of context about the Austin portion of Ely's career.

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