I generally avoid large crowds, and haven’t an interest in rodeos, but most of the major cities in Texas have these events, and they draw enormous crowds. Those booked as headliners play for audiences of tens of thousands. San Antonio Stock Show & Radio is 2/8-2/24. Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo is 2/27-3/18. Rodeo Austin is maybe a little smaller, but is 3/10-3/24 and hasn’t announced its music lineup yet. The real winner on the SA & Houston rosters appears to be Cody Johnson, a Texas independent act who usually plays modest venues. Johnson played the Houston Rodeo last year as a local fill-in, after a scheduled headliner had to cancel on short notice. Playing in front of 60,000+ was surely a major boost for his career, and he’ll be playing a couple of these mega-shows in 2018: Cody Johnson article
George Strait plays very few shows, so here’s a look at the six concerts he has listed so far in 2018: King George Calendar Asleep at the Wheel will open the TX & OK dates. I had looked into the Austin date, but it sold out in a blink. Lyle Lovett & Robert Earl Keen open the Las Vegas dates. New Orleans has the Bayou Country Superfest Note that Randy Houser should have some new music this year.
Lauren Alaina continues to open some shows for Alan Jackson. AJ is well-respected by traditionalists, and more than not of Lauren’s output to date has been toward the “pop country” side. I think she shows potential, though, and AJ is at a point in his career where he can pick and choose.
Ashley McBryde is opening for 2017 mainstream breakout artist Luke Combs for many dates, and also a few for Miranda Lambert. Miranda’s tour also includes Jon Pardi on all dates, plus select dates with Charlie Worsham, Sunny Sweeney, Steel Woods, Turnpike Troubadours, Lucie Silvas, and Brent Cobb.
