The Houston Livestock And Rodeo continues it's march it's non-country waters with today's musical announcement, with Houston's own ZZ Top (March 8), Train (March 16), Kid Rock (February 29), John Legend (March 2), and Enrique Iglesias (March 6) topping the pop and rock segment of this year's bill.
On the country side of things, RodeoHouston favorites Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lady Antebellum returning to Reliant Stadium as well. McEntire's March 9th show is especially cool, since it's also Paint The Rodeo Pink Day, benefiting breast cancer awareness. She played the rodeo last in 2009, turning in a set that blew the roof off, and had us singing along for the entirety of the show.
This is now Kid Rock's second-straight rodeo appearance, wowing a diverse crowd last year, the first year in which RodeoHouston experimented with more rock acts. But Kid Rock's audience isn't too terribly removed from a rodeo one, a little country and hella lot of southern rock 'n roll, and it worked. This year Rock will be on hand for Armed Forces Appreciation Day.
ZZ Top played the big revolving stage back in March 2009, bearding down on the ground for the final concert of that season. The boys should be playing more than a few new songs by this show if all had gone to plan with a new album. Here's hoping...
Soulman John Legend is on board for Black Heritage Day, and this is also his second appearance at Reliant, first playing the big show in 2008. The biggest no-brainer on the list to me, aside from the country cats and the Top, is Enrique Iglesias, who hasn't graced the rodeo since 2004, and two straight years from 1999 to 2000.
His drawl with the ladies and the Latin crowd is immense. Iglesias was just in Houston this past October with Pitbull at the Toyota Center. You think the jeans on the girls are tight at Blake Shelton, you ain't seen nothing yet.
Something tells me that Rocks Off Sr., Chris Gray, will be very excited about Miranda Lambert's inclusion on the schedule.
The organizers previously announced Alabama, Big Time Rush, Brad Paisley, and the Zac Brown a few weeks back, but this is the first full list of the season. Tickets go on sale this Saturday 10 a.m., at www.rodeohouston.com, all Ticketmaster locations.
Here be the whole lineup for RodeoHouston 2012. My tummy is already crying "Uncle!" thinking about the carnival food. Shut up, you.
Tuesday, Feb. 28, Alabama
Wednesday, Feb. 29, Armed Forces Appreciation Day. Kid Rock
Thursday, March 1, Lady Antebellum
Friday, March 2, Black Heritage Day sponsored by Kroger, John Legend
Saturday, March 3, Luke Bryan
Sunday, March 4, Big Time Rush, China Anne McClain from A.N.T Farm, with The McClain Sisters
Monday, March 5, Eli Young Band
Tuesday, March 6, Enrique Iglesias
Wednesday, March 7, Blake Shelton
Thursday, March 8, ZZ Top
Friday, March 9 - Paint the Rodeo Pink Day, Reba McEntire
Saturday, March 10, Chris Young
Sunday, March 11 - Go Tejano Day sponsored by State Farm®.......Duelo, La Original Banda El Limon
Monday, March 12, Zac Brown Band
Tuesday, March 13, Miranda Lambert
Wednesday, March 14, The Band Perry
Thursday, March 15, Jason Aldean
Friday, March 16, Train
Saturday, March 17, Brad Paisley
Sunday, March 18, Alan Jackson