Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Attendance Numbers Go Through the Roof

Who says the economy is suffering? Houston once again proves that the economy is alive and kicking in the Bayou City!

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which concluded on March 21, reached the 2 million mark in general attendance for the first time in its history. The final attendance mark of 2.14 million visitors broke the previous general attendance record of 1.89 million in 2009, according to a statement by the organization.

A single-day general attendance record was also set on March 14 — Go Tejano Day — with 141,273 visitors. The previous record was set in 2009 with 135,548 visitors.
Records were also shattered at the Pesado and El Trono De Mexico evening concerts on March 14 at Reliant Stadium when 74,222 people caught the rodeo action and the musical performances. The previous record of 74,147 was set during the 2009 Go Tejano Day concerts with performances by Ramon Ayala and Alacranes Musical.

Houston Rodeo Concerts to Include Jonas Brothers, Brooks & Dunn, and Tim McGraw

This blast from the Houston Chronicle (www.chron.com)

Heartthrobs -- country and otherwise -- lead the list of 2010 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo performers.

Today's quartet of early performer announcements include the Jonas Brothers (March 7), Tim McGraw (March 8), Brad Paisley (March 11) and retiring duo Brooks & Dunn (March 20).

RodeoHouston runs March 2-21. The full lineup will be announced Jan. 11, 2010.

The Jonas Brothers: The unstoppable sibling trio makes its second RodeoHouston appearance after drawing 72,475 fans last year. Joe, Nick and Kevin also sold out an Aug show at Toyota Center. Will next year's show be another record-breaker? Or has JBros fatigue set in? We're betting on the former. (March 7.)

Tim McGraw: The strappingly sensitive crooner is making his fifth RodeoHouston appearance. He previously took the stage in 1996-97, 2003 and 2008. A new album, Southern Voice, is in stores Tuesday. (March 8.)

Brad Paisley: It's also RodeoHouston No. 5 for Paisley, who's an ace at mixing aw-shucks ballads with wry, intelligent songwriting. See American Saturday Night, his eighth studio album. Paisley's sets are loose, lively and a nonstop parade of colorful guitars -- with paisley designs, of course. (March 11.)

Brooks & Dunn: The veteran duo has played every RodeoHouston since 1992 and is always a solid draw. But RodeoHouston 2010 promises to be a special gig. Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn announced in August that it's "time to call it a day" after the Last Rodeo Tour, which includes the local date. Expect an all-time high in paid attendance.

Season tickets are on sale now and start at $302 (plus a $15 handling fee).

Mini‐season tickets go on sale at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday and are offered in two "options." Option A includes the Jonas Brothers and McGraw; option B includes Paisley and Brooks & Dunn. Each package includes nine performances and ranges from $132-$171. Seating is in the upper and loge levels.

Black Heritage Day (March 5) and Go Tejano Day (March 14) are not included in Mini-season ticket options. Individual tickets go on sale Jan. 16.

For ticket information, call 832-667-1080, visit the ticket windows on the second floor of Reliant Center or go to the RodeoHouston site. Season and mini-season tickets are not available at any other outlets.