Tickets are still available for most performances. Don't forget about Chute Seats directly behind the bucking chutes! Then, when the entertainer takes the rotating stage, you have the option to take a chair down to the dirt to enjoy the concert. Visit rodeohouston.com for information.

AUCTION BUYERS BID ON THE FUTURE AT THE SCHOOL ART AUCTION

Battling bidders ended with tremendous support for young Texas artists at the 2009 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo School Art Auction. Renee Zhan, a ninth grader at Katy ISD, exhibited her colored pencil drawing, "A Mother's Love," which took Grand Champion Work of Art. The drawing was purchased by The Somerville Family, Rose Scott, Joe Van Matre, and Howard and Donna Webster for $155,000.

"We'll do anything we can to help the kids along," Courtney Somerville said. Along with the Van Matres', the Somerville's have helped support Renee's dream — to continue her education after high school at the University of Southern California where she plans to study production and design.

"I would like to work with production design for movies some day," Renee said. "Like at Disney or Pixar."

Her drawing was inspired after a visit to a friend of her mother's farm. She saw the cattle in the field, and developed her drawing from a photo she took of the animals. "I also was inspired by the support of my parents, and how they have guided me," she said.

Joe Van Matre said he enjoys seeing the kids come out and show off their talents. "It's all about supporting the Show as well as the children," he said.

Heather White, an 11th grader at Dickinson ISD, exhibited her graphite drawing "Serenity," which took Reserve Grand Champion Work of Art and sold for $145,000.

Joe Van Matre pitched in to purchase this work of art, along with Tom and Mimi Dompier, Jerrol and Pam Springer, and Jim and Lynda Winne.

"I have a very special love for the Art Program," said Pam Springer. She said the Show gives kids a chance to participate beyond the boundaries of livestock. "They are our future," she said, "we need to support them."

Heather has been drawing for most of her life, and this piece was inspired by a photograph of her with her horse "Misty." She said that getting this far in the Show has made it very different to walk down the halls at her school because now everyone knows her.

She plans to attend Texas A&M University after graduation, majoring in architecture. "I am enrolled in a class now at my high school that has to do with architecture and I really enjoy it," she said.

ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE FINALS

It was all smiles as the winners of the RODEOHOUSTON BP Super Series IV Championship move into the Semifinal Rounds, with the Championship and a $50,000 purse waiting around the corner.

Tie-down roper Ryan Jarrett came out on top with a third round time of 8.8 seconds, totaling his overall time to 29.5 seconds and taking the series championship by storm. Fellow roper Jeff Chapman, a seasoned RODEOHOUSTON contestant, said of tie-down roping, "It is the most intricate sport in rodeo. It's just you, the horse and the calf, all working in unison for one result," he said. "There is never a certainty of what's going to happen." Chapman also will advance to the Semifinals Round.

For his second trip to RODEOHOUSTON, bareback rider Bud Munns had an overall score of 237.5 points, moving him into the champion slot for BP Super Series IV. He said the fans and atmosphere in Houston are unlike any other. "I love the camaraderie of traveling with my buddies and the free-spirit of being your own boss," he said.

"This was only our second time to compete together," said team roper Reese Kerr, header, about he and partner Ryon Tittel, heeler. The team's overall score of 28.6 seconds on three runs sent them into the Semifinal Round to work together as a team one more time. "I've known Reese a long time, and I've seen him compete," Tittel said. "He's a great partner."

After several trips to RODEOHOUSTON, Cody Wright, Super Series IV Saddle Bronc Champion finished with an overall score of 238.5 points. He said he has been riding broncs for 17 years, and the horses just keep getting better. "For me, it's about getting a better ride each time;" he said. "The better I do, the more I keep going and the more I win.

Dane Hanna moved to the semifinal round as the Super Series IV Steer Wrestling Champion with a payout of $4,500. He said he has been steer wrestling since he was a freshman in high school and that it has always been a part of his life. "I enjoy steer wrestling because I was never any good at roping," Hanna said. Aggregate leader Brad Morgan also will move on to a Semifinal Round.

Barrel Racing Super Series IV Champion Delores Toole returned to RODEOHOUSTON with her 17-year-old horse after a four-year absence, excited to be back. "I didn't go to Fort Worth; I didn't go the San Antonio; I came to Houston," she said. After growing up around cattle and horses, Toole began riding in competitions when she was young. Her overall 46.27-second score takes her to the Semifinals.

During his first trip to RODEOHOUSTON, 19-year-old Stormy Wing was the only contestant to ride all three bulls, becoming Super Series IV Bull Riding Champion with an overall score of 236 points. He said bull riding isn't about competing against each other; rather, it is about competing against the bulls you draw. "I am pumped up and thrilled to be here at Houston," he said. "I have been looking forward to it all year."

See these champions and more in one of the RODEOHOUSTON BP Super Series Semifinals March 18 and 19.

Go Tejano Day

Special Entertainment all day in Reliant Park:

RAMON AYALA
Sunday, March 15, 3:45 p.m.
Chutes, Loge and Great Upper Level seats still available.

RODEOHOUSTON appearances: 2002, '06, '09

Monterrey, Mexico, native Ramon Ayala has performed as an accordionist, vocalist and songwriter for more than 40 years. Ayala has defined norteño music with signature songs and definitive instrumental styling that have made him a superstar on both sides of the Rio Grande. Ayala, son of Mexican musician Ramon Cobarrubias, began playing his favorite instrument, the accordion, when he was 6 years old. Inspired and supported by his parents, he performed to help support his family.

Ayala had his first hit single in 1963, and recorded 20 albums in partnership with Cornelio Reyna. He has recorded with groups and solo, always energizing his music and reinventing the genre. Not only does he have more than 105 albums on his resumé, he also took part in 13 movies.

Singles: "El Disgusto," "Devolución," "Mi Tesoro," "Tengo Miedo," "Un Rinconcito en El Cielo," "Chaparra De Mi Amor," "Tragos Amargos," "Del Otro Lado Del Porton"

With
ALACRANES MUSICAL
Sunday, March 15, 3:45 p.m.

RODEOHOUSTON appearances: 2009

Oscar Ubina, Rene Urbina, Memo Ibarra, Chris Urbina, Hector Urbina, Rudy Avitia, Erik Urbina and Omar Sanchez came together to make music in 1998. These Chicago, Ill., natives play their brand of duranguense style music. Many people consider Chicago as the capital of duranguense because there are so many immigrants from Durango living there. Fans enjoy it for its upbeat character and because they can dance holding their partner very close.

The group was nominated for a Latin GRAMMY award in 2007, and has released 11 albums since 1998. Their single, "Por Amarte Asi," has been, according to Billboard, one of the most downloaded ringtones.

Singles: "Dame Tu Amor," "Ahora y Siempre," "Si Yo Fuera Tu Amor," "Por Tu Amor," "Por Amarte Así"

The Hideout
Friday, March 15, 8:30 p.m.

GO TEJANO DAY ENTERTAINMENT

DARIUS RUCKER
Monday, March 16, 6:45 p.m.
Chutes, Loge and Great Upper Level seats still available.

RODEOHOUSTON appearances: 2009

As the front man of Hootie & The Blowfish, Darius Rucker reinvented mainstream pop/rock in the mid-90s. Now, Rucker is bringing his unique vocal talent to the country stage in his debut album, "Learn to Live." The GRAMMY winning singer/songwriter saw "Learn to Live" debut at number one on the Billboard charts, and watched the first single, "Don't Think I Don't Think About It," hold steady at the top of the chart for weeks.

The Charleston, S.C., native had exposure early on to country music, and was a fan of Buck Owens, Dwight Yoakam and Radney Foster since his early years. Fans of Hootie & The Blowfish — many of whom had already made the natural migration from pop to country radio — realize that the band's catchy songs were rooted in the same elements that make great country music.

Singles: "Don't Think I Don't Think About It," "Learn to Live"

The Hideout
Doors open at 4 p.m.
Monday, March 16, 10:15 p.m.

JOSH ABBOTT

Founded by four Texas Tech University fraternity brothers, the Josh Abbott Band was formed in West Texas just as many other Texas country artists before them. With success in their future, the Josh Abbott Band has begun to play shows all over the State of Texas.

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