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 the 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. Which, for the uninitiated, means normal events are measured in acres… this one is measured in counties.
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. Giving a Northerner press credentials at a Texas rodeo is either bold leadership or a carefully monitored social experiment. The jury is still out.
I promise not to turn this whole thing into a daily victory lap… but I will keep you posted on the highlights—and possibly the food coma updates.
Week One Highlights
Opening week came out swinging with a lineup that included a strong kickoff from Riley Green, a crowd-pleasing throwback performance 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.
Also worth noting: if you’ve never heard 70,000 Texans yell a Toby Keith chorus at the same time, it’s less of a concert and more of a controlled sonic boom.
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. It’s just that when Creed shows up, the nostalgia levels spike so high you half-expect frosted tips and cargo shorts to make a comeback in the parking lot.
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 party. 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 rodeo—it felt like a full-blown rock concert. Fans were on their feet, voices raised, reliving the anthems that defined a generation.
At one point I’m pretty sure the entire stadium attempted the Scott Stapp power-stance at the same time. Chiropractors across Texas are still sorting out the aftermath.
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?”
Enter Chris Stapleton…
The most noticeable difference between the energy of a Creed concert and the show put on by Chris Stapleton and his band is just how entertained you can be by both completely different types of chaos.
Creed is a stadium-shaking sing-along.
Chris Stapleton is what happens when a voice walks into the building and the rest of the stadium politely decides to sit down and listen.
Stapleton, simply put, is one of the most captivating performers alive today. No gimmicks, no distractions—just a voice so good you start wondering if the man secretly swallowed a blues legend sometime in the mid-2000s.
If I had to pick one show to attend every day for the rest of my life, I pick Stapleton.
Mostly because it’s the only concert where you can watch 70,000 people collectively go from “rowdy rodeo crowd” to “quiet church service” in about six seconds flat.
What Did I Learn From Week Two?
The rodeo knows how to deliver unforgettable nights.
But every now and then, one or two shows come along that take a great week and turn it into a legendary one.
Also, I learned three important Texas lessons:
- Rodeo crowds can sing every word to songs released before some of them were born.
- If you think the show is loud, wait until the parking lot tailgates.
- Never underestimate the emotional power of 70,000 people yelling a Creed chorus in unison.
To Be Continued…
(Assuming the “D@%N Yank” survives another week of brisket, boots, and Texans asking where exactly I’m “really from.”) 🤠
