Globe Life Field, home of the 2023 World Series Champions Texas Rangers Baseball Team, set the stage for an eventful weekend filled with rodeo thrills and live music at the American Western Weekend Rodeo in Arlington, Texas. Over two nights, attendees witnessed a blend of equestrian excellence and country music performances, offering a glimpse into the heart of Texas culture.
Night 1: The American Performance Horseman
The weekend kicked off with "The American Performance Horseman" night, showcasing three equestrian events: cutting, reined cow horse, and reining. While not the traditional rodeo fare, it provided a unique experience for horse enthusiasts.
During halftime, the Pennsylvania-based blues/rock band "Ghost Hounds" entertained the crowd with a decent performance, adding a contemporary twist to the evening.
Canadian country artist Alli Walker took the stage as the opening act, delivering an energetic but uninspired performance. Her songs, reminiscent of "bro country," lacked depth and originality, failing to resonate with the audience.
Headlining the night was Luke Bryan, who powered through despite battling a cold. While his performance was passable, it lacked the authenticity that defines true country music.
The evening took a refreshing turn with Texas country artist Wynn Williams' performance at the Shift4Arena, offering a genuine rendition of country music that resonated with attendees.
Night 2: The True Rodeo Day
The second night brought the true essence of rodeo to the forefront, featuring traditional events and heart-stopping action.
Before the rodeo commenced, "Texas Live!" outdoor arena hosted Texas country artist Jenna Paulette, accompanied by Aaron Watson's band. Her brief but impactful performance set the tone for the day.
Following Jenna's set, a live recording of "The Mauney Cast" podcast fell short of expectations, with lackluster questioning and aimless conversation overshadowing its potential. This was one of the most boring events of the day. Hosted by JB Mauney, this live podcast caters towards the sport of rodeo. The live recording was hosted in the same outdoor arena next to the baseball stadium. Aaron Watson was the first guest on the live cast, but unfortunately, Aaron had to carry on the conversation because the host didn’t ask meaningful nor thought provoking questions. Aaron left after the first 15 minutes, but the live cast didn’t really seem to have anything else planned. So instead, they spent a half hour interviewing a 5 year old and fellow spectators were appalled at the lack of entertainment.
The host, JB Mauney, would just constantly mention he wanted to smoke on the live cast so he had to have it outside, where temperatures were at a chilly 57 degrees Fahrenheit. Luckily for the spectators, the was an autograph/meet-n-greet with trail-blazing female rodeo athletes. It was inspiring to see little girls waiting in line and looking up to these women during this event. JB Mauney wanted to continue the live cast past the scheduled time for it, but thankfully his producers stopped him in order to have the next band play for the crowd. I have a message for JB Mauney: quality of production is meaningless if you don’t have a quality of content.
Alli Walker returned to the stage, but her performance failed to leave a lasting impression, prompting a shift in focus to the main event—the rodeo.
As the sun set, the rodeo kicked off, captivating the audience with displays of skill and courage. Texas country artist Aaron Watson delivered a standout performance, transcending entertainment with a heartfelt tribute to a fallen athlete.
The championship round crowned its victors, including one remarkable million-dollar win, highlighting the competitive spirit of the rodeo tradition.
Closing out the night was Austin "Post" Malone, whose inebriated and profanity-laden performance fell short of expectations. Despite sporadic moments of humor, it failed to leave a positive lasting impression.
Reflections and Takeaways
As we reflect on our experience at the American Western Weekend Rodeo, it's clear that the event had its highs and lows. While moments of equestrian excellence and genuine country music provided glimpses of authenticity, they were overshadowed by lackluster performances and missed opportunities.
Moving forward, events like these need to prioritize authenticity and quality. True Texas country culture lies in its rawness and sincerity—not in gimmicks and commercialization.
As we bid farewell to another year of rodeo festivities, let us carry forward the lessons learned and the memories made. And may the spirit of true Texas country music and rodeo tradition continue to thrive, untarnished by the trappings of commercialization.