RodeoHouston, We Have a Lot of Problems
The bloggers for the Houston Press haven't been all that impressed with the country concerts at this year's RodeoHouston. You know, I certainly haven't liked all the concerts I've written about either. In my opinion, some of them were truly awful. When that happens, I just mostly describe what happened, rather than taking cheap shots at the artist. But if you're into that zzzing thing, check out these low-blow reviews of Toby Keith ("might as well have been a dead fish up there, just with a lot more pyro") and Rascal Flatts ("a chubby dude in designer jeans attached to an Auto-tuner"). One writer wasn't even impressed with Alan Jackson's opening number ("trying a little too hard to lift the crowd's spirits"). At least Lady Antebellum gets off easy by being called "surprisingly decent" - sort of a backhanded compliment, come to think of it.
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
RedMaZ says:
Hey, I give the Houston bloggers credit for even sitting through that mess of acts. That’s more than I could’ve done. Those reviews are hilarious! However…it sounds as if they were being kind..
Linda says:
Wow, they nailed Toby huh?? He needs to step it up to compete with the better shows out there. I did notice no one said anything about Trace Adkins? Or did I miss it? There is nothing bad to say about his shows; maybe Toby needs to learn a lesson in class….
always right says:
The truth hurts doesn’t it?
KgatorKerri says:
Unfortunately we have come to expect concerts to be an all out musical complete with flashing lights, costume changes, stories, etc. Why can’t we just enjoy good music? Take for example George Strait. He is a country superstar who has entertained crowds by standing on stage with his band and singing great songs. Mind you that he looks fantastic in those Wrangler jeans but we don’t see him running all over changing outfits and dancing with dancers. It’s not his style. Don’t get me wrong, in some artists I love movement on stage but can’t we just look at each artist as an individual and be happy with their “stage presence” and not put them down for it. Maybe Toby would rather just sing that do the glitzy stuff, to each his own. It’s up to us if we want to accept it and pay the price for tickets to the show.
KgatorKerri says:
Correction: Maybe Toby would rather just sing *then* do that glitzy stuff, to each his own.
Gail says:
I’m not surprised at Rascal Flatts review! I’ve never heard them sing good live even on the award shows. They just do better on their CDs where they are doctored up for listening!
LC says:
Bravo Houston, Bravo! Nashville country acts have generally been a lame excuse for music for a long time. Bring back the old days when song writers actually knew how to write. Long live the Red Dirt/Texas Country music scene!
Kim says:
Good call LC. Maybe the organizers in houston (which is in fact in Texas) will get homegrown, great live acts out there. Houston papers are not real nice, but they don’t exaggerate much either.
Justin tyme says:
Shellburne, you could do better than side with the negativity. Some of the bloggers follow suit just because they have all day to hide behind the computer screen and type BS. Houston Rodeo should be happy all of these great acts even showed up. WTH, how ridiculous these so called reviews are. More like trash liners for dog runs. Toby and Alan always put on Kick A shows. There is a great video of Toby’s show on one of the Houston web sites. At least they got it right. Lady A grooves and not many groups out there can top Rascal Flatts. Houston, you can kiss any good talent goodbye from coming out there next year if this is the welcome your newspaper fidiots dish out.
TejasNina says:
“you kiss any good talent goodbye”? So only Nashville has good talent to offer? you must have be in tune with Red Dirt music. Real good talent can be found in any good bar on Avenue B (in Austin yes, but not too far away). And since it is the Houston rodeo, maybe Texas talent would be preferable. Maybe they should try that next year. Make it a Red Dirt fest!
Bettye says:
Those Houstonians are a pretty tough lot. However, I have to agree regarding Toby Keith. He’s been phoning it in for quite a while. I think he’s bored and it shows.
unbelievable says:
Obviously the houston press doesn’t know their face from their *******. Anyone who agrees with that blog does not have a clue about great music or great performers.
and Bettye, Toby does NOT phone his music or concerts in. Ridiculous for you to even state that. His show is one of the best LIVE performances around. Tens of thousands show up wherever he is.