Rodeo is part of a big year for McCollum
This year’s RodeoHouston stage has been populated by country Alisters, arena rockers and a Latin pop heartthrob. But its hometown acts who have so far filled the most seats.
Conroe native Parker McCollum’s Saturday debut drew a paid attendance of 73,243. That’s 14 people less than Bun B’s H-town Takeover, the biggest crowd to date so far.
McCollum, who graduated from The Woodlands College Park High School, has been steadily building his national profile over the last three years. He told the crowd he’d just learned Saturday that his single “To Be Loved by You” had risen to No. 1.
His rodeo performance came less than a week after his Academy of Country Music win for new male artist and less than two weeks before he gets married.
“Houston, my heart is beating out of my chest right now,” he said. “I saw Pat Green sell out the Houston rodeo in 2003. And all I ever wanted since then was to sell out the Houston rodeo.”
He took the stage in a white ball cap, T-shirt and his signature gold chains. McCollum has a voice that’s emotive in just the right ways. It adds a poignancy to every song. He’s a genuinely thoughtful, engaging performer and songwriter.
“Meet You in the Middle” and “Drinkin’” were early standouts in a run of impressive songs. He did right by George Strait on a cover of “True.” The yearning in his voice added to the wistful mood of “Happy New Year.”
“Blanco County Rain” was a terrific showcase for McCollum’s guitar player. Later, he mixed things up a bit with the pop-rock vibe of “Falling Apart.” He shouted out family, including his late grandfather and a sister who missed the show because she had to work. “Pretty Heart,” his first No. 1 single, was accompanied by an enthusiastic singalong.
“Houston, I cannot explain what it feels like to catch a dream this big,” he said before launching into “Hell of a Year.”
A hell of a year, indeed. And it’s only March.