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GEORGE STRAIT and MARTINA McBRIDE:: Onstage, all he needed was a black cowboy hat, a guitar and that million-dollar smile. “Seems like yesterday it was 1983 over there in the old Astrodome. Lucky for me, Eddie Rabbit got sick,” Strait quipped. -
BRUNO MARS: He dedicated “Young Girls,” his take on a country song, to “all the little heartbreakers” and “vicious Houston women.” It was more pop than twang, despite the acoustic guitar (but so is most of country radio). -
BLAKE SHELTON: Shelton is an effortless, engaging entertainer. He knows how to work a crowd but still seems like he could be one of your drinking buddies. -
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DIERKS BENTLEY: “Up on the Ridge,” the urgent title track from his 2010 bluegrass-inspired album, was a fiery standout. -
TIM McGRAW: In many ways, McGraw has placed himself in such a confined space. He’s no longer a young upstart but nowhere near the iconic status of a George Strait. -
BRANTLEY GILBERT: A real outlaw wouldn’t have made any apologies.
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PITBULL: He was best during celebratory anthems “Sube Las Manos Pa’ Arriba,” “Bon, Bon” and “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho).” They kept the mood upbeat but allowed him room to flex his rap skills. Photo: Mayra Beltran -
ZAC BROWN BAND: Brown doesn’t say much between songs, likely because he doesn’t have to. His unfussy, focused presence was enough to hold the crowd, along with that pristine voice. -
GO TEJANO DAY: Julión Álvarez, 19, took the closing slot during Go Tejano Day over Los Invasores de Nuevo León, who have been making music for more than two decades. Álvarez has only released a handful of albums since 2007. -
ALAN JACKSON (here introduced by military rappellers): Jackson stuck mostly to the No. 1 hits: “Don’t Rock the Jukebox,” “Drive (for Daddy Gene),” “As She’s Walking Away.” It’s a nice problem to have. His voice was easy and effortless throughout, particularly on wistful ballad “Remember When.” -
KENNY CHESNEY: He’s still working the cowboy beach bum angle and kicked off with “Beer in Mexico” and “Keg in the Closet.” Chesney has never been a spectacular singer, and it usually takes him a few songs to settle into things. -
TOBY KEITH: He opened RodeoHouston inside Reliant Stadium with a video intro that amounted to (surprise) a truck commercial. It was Keith’s ninth appearance and first since 2010, despite his claim that it was No. 12. -
THE BAND PERRY: Sibling trio Kimberly, Neil and Reed Perry danced, bounced and fist-pumped through most of the set. They were clearly amped to be in front of so many people. Photo: Melissa Phillip -
LADY ANTEBELLUM: The group was wise to keep the tempo and energy up through much of the set. -
AUSTIN MAHONE: He strapped on an acoustic guitar for a pair of his most popular YouTube covers: Jesse McCartney’s “Beautiful Soul” and Mario’s “Let Me Love You.” Mahone wasn’t always on key, but it’s almost impossible not to be swayed by his earnestness. -
DEMI LOVATO: Lovato covered fellow Texan Miranda Lambert’s “The House That Built Me” as a nod to RodeoHouston, and the wistful lyrics had her (and likely many fans) fighting back tears.
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STYX: There were searing guitar solos and tight harmonies throughout the brisk set. The energy rarely dipped, and the band seemed genuinely happy to be there. -
GARY ALLAN: Allan’s strength is the real-life pain he channels into so much of his material. He’s claimed “Best I Ever Had,” originally a hit for alt-rock footnote Vertical Horizon, as his own. And recent No. 1 “Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)” had the sting of truth. -
JASON ALDEAN: He busted out the rap verses during “1994″ and “Dirt Road Anthem;” and incited one of the loudest singalong a during “Big Green Tractor.” (Couples even boot-scooted across the dirt floor.)
© 2013 Hearst Communications Inc.
© 2013 Hearst Communications Inc.
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