Our resident “D@%N Yank,” Craig Collins, is on the ground bringing you a full, night-by-night breakdown of the wild ride that is Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo 2026!
First things first: I can officially check “Attend a Rodeo” off my Texan To-Do List. And let me tell you—if you’re going to do your first rodeo, this is the way to do it. This event isn’t just big… it’s Texas-big.
Also, quick shoutout to the bosses at KSEV for letting the station’s token “D@%N Yank” loose at one of the biggest events in the country. I promise not to turn this whole thing into a daily victory lap… but I will keep you posted on the highlights.
Week One Highlights
Opening week came out swinging with a lineup that included a strong kickoff from Riley Green, a crowd-pleasing throwback party from Rascal Flatts, and a legendary appearance from the one and only Dwight Yoakam.
Now, I’ll be honest right out of the gate: I didn’t walk into week one knowing every artist on the lineup. But sometimes that’s when you get the best surprises—and one of the artists I knew the least about delivered one of the best shows of the entire opening week.
Riley Green kicked off the rodeo with a moment people in that stadium won’t forget anytime soon. Just days after strikes on Iran, Green broke into a cover of Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue by Toby Keith—and the reaction inside the building was instant and emotional.
The crowd jumped to its feet, sang along at the top of its lungs, and turned the place into one massive Texas sing-along. Loud, proud, and fired up—that’s about as perfect an opening night as you can get at RodeoHouston.
Week Two Highlights
Creed, Creed, Creed! If there was ever a week that deserved its own soundtrack, this was it. Honestly, it felt like there was the rodeo before Creed and the rodeo after Creed. That’s not a knock on anyone else—far from it.
Both Luke Bryan and Megan Moroney delivered fantastic shows. Luke brought the energy and hit after hit that fans expect, turning the stadium into one big singalong. Megan Moroney proved exactly why she’s one of country music’s fastest-rising stars, connecting with the crowd and delivering a performance that was equal parts fun and heartfelt.
But when Creed took the stage? Everything kicked into another gear.
The anticipation in the crowd had been building all day, and once the first notes hit, the place absolutely erupted. It wasn’t just a concert—it felt like a full-blown moment. Fans were on their feet, voices raised, reliving the anthems that defined a generation. From start to finish, the energy never dipped.
In a week packed with incredible performances, Creed managed to push the dial past the limit—cranking the excitement to an undeniable 11 out of 10. All I could say after that show was, Can You Take Me Higher Houston Rodeo?
If Week Two proved anything, it’s this: the rodeo knows how to deliver unforgettable nights, but sometimes one show comes along that turns a great week into a legendary one.
To Be Continued…
