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Life & Arts

RodeoHouston unleashes stellar acts

Country legend Strait leads concert lineup; Ayala, Perez ready for Go Tejano Day event

by MARIO GUDMUNDSSON
The Daily Cougar

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo draws hundreds of cowboys and cowgirls to compete for serious prizes and glory, and it brings some of the biggest stars in country and rock music to Houston to unite generations of Texans to be a part of it all.

George Strait launches the three weeks of the 2006 RodeoHouston concerts at Reliant Stadium in style. The Texas native has performed for more than 1 million Houston fans over the years and holds more No. 1 hits than any other solo artist in history. This performance promises not to disappoint those lucky enough to have gotten tickets.

The opening week of entertainers, from today through Sunday, is a blur of diverse sound. Strait, Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride and Clay Walker bring in the big Nashville jangle, while Black Heritage Day on Friday presents soul stars Maze featuring Frankie Beverly and former Cosby kid Raven Simone.

This first week also brings a change to the lineup. Sheryl Crow, who was slated for Thursday, cancelled all March and April tour dates to deal with breast cancer. Melissa Etheridge, a breast-cancer survivor, is stepping into her spot and asking fans to wear pink as a show of solidarity in the fight against breast cancer.

Week 2, Monday to March 12, brings Robert Earl Keen with Cross Canadian Ragweed, 1970s star John Fogerty, all-American Toby Keith, pop rockers Maroon 5, frat house-favorite Pat Green and country music traditionalist Lee Ann Womack.

The second week closes out with Go Tejano Day featuring Grammy-winning Norteño, accordionist Ramon Ayala and versatile Tejano vocalist Jay Perez.

The final week of this year's rodeo, March 13 through 19, is the Spring Break Stampede. LeAnn Rimes kicks off the lineup of youth-geared artists on March 13, then comedian Larry the Cable Guy yuks it up with high-energy Houstonian singer Cory Morrow on March 14.

This year's Spring Break Stampede continues with Alan Jackson, teen queen Hilary Duff and Texas group Lonestar.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's closing weekend has rodeo vets Brooks & Dunn on March 18, and twangy songwriter Gretchen Wilson caps off the Rodeo Collegiate Championship on March 19.

Weeknight shows begin promptly at 6:45 p.m., with ProRodeo events like steer wrestling, bareback bronco riding and WPRA barrel-racing, followed by the star performance.

Saturdays and Sundays are twilight shows, beginning at 3:45 p.m., but seven days a week, those 21 and older can check out the Hideout, located on the floor of the Astrodome. It features its own lineup of entertainers and dancing to keep the fun going after the main event.

Tickets are still available for most shows and run between $16 and $300. For more information, visit www.hlsr.com.

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