Arts & Entertainment
 

Rodeo, 311 keep H-town entertained

Cougar A&E Staff

Even with all the excitement in Austin, Houston still gave Spring Breakers something to enjoy. Here's a recap of the week's best events.

March 11

At the young age of 33, hometown hero Clay Walker has experienced enough to satisfy two lifetimes. Professionally, Walker boasts four platinum and two gold albums, and holds the title as the only artist that had a song included in Billboard's year-end Top 10 country list for five years consecutively. But it's his personal experiences that touched a packed audience at RodeoHouston.

The young cowboy's devotion to his family, his recent struggle with multiple sclerosis (currently in remission) and his faith in Christianity set the mood of the evening. Equally devoted to his craft, Walker's songs trace back to his high school days in Beaumont. Although Reliant Center is the most impersonal venue in Space City, Walker performed as if he was playing for a small gathering of friends, as he often did growing up.

Walker played all of his No.1 hits including "Live Until I Die," "If I Could Make A Living, "This Woman And This Man," "Then What" and "Chain Of Love." "Jesus was a Country Boy" hit an emotional note, as did when one of Walker's daughters joined him onstage.

March 13

Seeing a 311 concert is like watching a spontaneous team of athletes. Guitarist Tim Mahoney does the headband frog jump, bassist P-Nut kicks up one knee and places it back down again, and vocalist SA Martinez moves with old school MC flavor. Each of the members' individual yet repetitive performances are why 311 is such a well-rounded band.

At Verizon Wireless Theater on March 13, Mahoney brought the metal, P-Nut brought the funk, Hexum brought the reggae, Martinez brought the hip-hop and drummer Chad Sexton brought the backbone for a winning combination of old and new.

The group flew through a set consisting of something from almost all of 311 seven releases.

Cover songs -- The Cure's "Just Like Heaven" and Led Zeppelin's "D'yer mak'er" -- played out like a candid jam session, similar to the impromptu style the boys had as a young band. 

The set ended with a shout out to old-school 311 fans, and the song "Down" from the band's self-titled album. 

Marh 16

Two hot Texas girls and one member of 98 Degrees really warmed up the RodeoHouston crowd Tuesday night. Kelly Clarkson and Jessica Simpson brought their shows back home, performing for a seemingly appreciative youthful audience.

Kelly Clarkson showed why she won Amerian Idol that night with remixes of "The Trouble with Love Is," "Miss Independent," and "A Moment Like This." Forget old complaints that pop stars never sound as good in concert -- Clarkson sounded better. 

Dallas-born Jessica Simpson did just as well, but why does she make those scary faces when she sings? Her voice is amazing, and she has great vocal range, but those weird over-exaggerated facial expressions are distracting. 

And poor Nick was only allowed to sing one song during his opening set. However, when he paired with wife Jessica at the end of her act for a duet of her new single "Take My Breath Away," no one left unhappy. Yes, they're the epitome of pop tarts, but the newlyweds are just so loveable. In all of her ditzy glory -- she forgot how to get off the stage--Jessica still entertained the Houston audience ... or at the very least, gave everyone a good laugh.

March 17

While St. Patrick's Day at the rodeo teemed with green felt cowboy hats, another spectacle was all aglow with green -- country music artist Kenny Chesney. Besides having a face that shines with pure sexiness, Chesney was lit up with green lights for much of his concert in apparent celebration of the Irish holiday.

Like many in his green-clad audience, Chesney showed he remembered his roots during "Back Where I Come From" when video of his hometown, Luttrell, Tenn. was shown on the big screen for more than 70,000 fans to see. Besides seeing a great country music concert, those 70,000 plus fans also set a RodeoHouston 2004 attendance record that night.

Chesney seemed to wow the ladies when he came onstage in his characteristic rugged straw cowboy hat, cut-off T-shirt and tight Wrangler jeans. People in the stadium all appeared to sing-along to his many hits: "The Good Stuff," "Back Where I Come From," "She's Got It All," and "How Forever Feels." For St. Paddy's Day at RodeoHouston, Chesney started off his "Guitars, Tiki Bars & A Whole Lotta Love" tour with an excellent sampling of country music magic.

Staff writers Bridget Brown and Lindsey Bowers contributed to this report.

 Send comments to dcshobiz@mail.uh.edu