Rodeo Lineup Revealed

The superstar acts among the Houston Rodeo's 2014 concert lineup are . . .

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.

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welcome back, frank!

Broadcaster Frank Billingsley finds second act at Houston radio station

Al Torres Photography

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When he announced his retirement from KPRC, Frank Billingsley told the late Ken Hoffman that he probably wasn’t done with media.

“I love all forms of communication so I'm sure I'll gravitate toward that either as a hobby or a second act. I'll weigh options and go from there,” he said in May.

Turn out that second act will be at one of Houston’s most prestigious radio stations. Billingsley has joined Houston Public Media as an executive producer and meteorologist.

"Frank Billingsley’s reputation as a Houston legend precedes him,” station manager Josh Adams said in a statement. “His experience and connection to our community align perfectly with Houston Public Media’s mission to inform and inspire. We are thrilled to welcome him to the team and look forward to the impact his presence will have."

Beginning in early 2025, Billingsley will serve as one of the hosts for a new talk show called Hello, Houston!. Led by Billingsley, veteran HPM host Ernie Manouse, and producer Celeste Schurman. Hello, Houston! will tell stories about a wide range of Houston happenings.

“Of course, I'll still get to talk about the weather, but Celeste, Ernie, and I will have fun and fascinating discussions about politics, arts, concerts, restaurants, clubs, people: everything that makes this city so great,” Billingsley said. “We have a great team behind us and I'm really looking forward to the challenge!”

Frank Billingsley worked at KPRC for 30 years. Prior to that, he worked at ABC13 for six years. He has earned multiple honors from the Associated Press, Houston Press Club, Houston Press Newspaper, and Dallas Press Club.

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