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 more information.

ALL-TIME PAID RODEO ATTENDANCE RECORD BROKEN ON GO TEJANO DAY

The RODEOHOUSTON Super Series V first round performance, featuring Ramon Ayala and Alacranes Musical in concert, Sunday, March 15, broke the all-time paid Rodeo attendance record with 74,147 fans. This exceeds the previous record by 688 fans; the previous record was set in 2008 when 73,459 fans saw the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus performance.

"On behalf of its 21,000 volunteers, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is so grateful to the entire Hispanic community for this record-breaking paid Rodeo attendance. It certainly helps us further our commitment to youth and education and our support of the agricultural industry," said Leroy Shafer, the Show's chief operating officer.

"The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a celebration of our Western heritage and our pioneer culture, and the contributions of all ethnicities in the building of this great city and this great state," he added.

This record also tops the Go Tejano Day paid rodeo attendance record. The previous Go Tejano Day paid Rodeo attendance record was set March 16, 2008, in Reliant Stadium with Duelo and Los Horoscopos de Durango performing for 71,165 The RODEOHOUSTON fans. In addition, Ramon Ayala now is part of history, having been the entertainer in the first- and third- highest Go Tejano Day paid Rodeo attendance records. The last time Ramon Ayala performed, 70,481 were on hand to see both he and Jay Perez at RODEOHOUSTON March 12, 2006.

YOUNG SPEAKERS WIN BIG IN THE 2009 PUBLIC SPEAKING CONTEST

After three preliminaries and 80 entries, 14 young Texas public speakers placed in the finals of the Public Speaking Contest.

Becca Noland's "Sweet Smell of Success" won the senior category and a $700 prize. Her topic covered the conversion of manure to energy forms. The16-year-old sophomore from Gilmore High School plans to attend Texas A&M University and study agricultural communications and journalism.

Margaret McCullough, a 13-year-old from Aubrey Middle School, took first place in the junior category, with her topic of agriculture in the media. The FFA member successfully explained myths versus reality in the media, winning her a $700 prize. Margaret's interest in storytelling motivated her to enter public speaking contests. "When I found out FFA offered speech, I jumped at the opportunity," she said.

In the senior category, Faith Lester-Jurek placed second, and in the junior category, Kylie Patterson placed second. Each won a $400 prize.

Nikki Reed, captain of the Judging Contest Committee, said the contestants were judged on content, presentation, appearance, delivery and the ability to command the audience — all the traits of a well-rounded public speaker.

WANTED: BUNNY FRIENDLY HOME

With Easter right around the corner, there are a number of furry friends looking for a good home at the rabbit exhibit in Capital One Bank AGVENTURE.

Members of the Texas Rabbit Breeders Association donate the animals to the exhibit for Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo visitors to enjoy and to possibly give them a good home to. The rabbits available for adoption range in breed and age. All breeds cost $25 and must be adopted by an adult. So far, 50 rabbits have been adopted, but that number usually rises to 100 by the end of the Show.

Other rabbits will be returned to the owners at the end of the Show. The youngest rabbit is four months old, still too young to be adopted.

McAninch has been involved with the rabbit program for eight years. Now a family affair, her husband and son, Gary McAninch Sr. and Gary McAninch Jr., help the children interact with the rabbits.

"Most of the kids here have never seen or pet a rabbit," she said. At one time, the McAninchs had 200 rabbits of their own; now they have around 25 to 30.

Rebecca Kulppel, Cy-Fair High School senior, is a first-year Jr. Rodeo Committee member who helps with the rabbit show. Owner of two rabbits, she enjoys interacting with the different breeds and the sweet nature of the rabbits.

Visit the rabbit exhibit in Capital One Bank AGVENTURE in Reliant Center to see these furry critters and possibly take one home.

Salute to Our Troops – Wednesday March 18

On this special day, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo will honor U.S. military personnel and their dependents. All active duty, reservist, retired and discharged members of the military, and their dependents (with military identification), will be welcome to enter Reliant Park free of charge (must present a military identification), with one guest.

This also is a Value Day, so all seniors, 60 and older, and all children, 12 and under, are admitted for free into Reliant Park as well.

Catch the rodeo action and Gary Allan in concert with $10 Rodeo tickets for the upper level of Reliant Stadium. Or, pick up a $20 Value Pack, full of exciting free and discounted items.

Special Event Schedule
3:30 – 6 p.m. Kids Country Stage (open to the public)

• Marine Color Guard
• "The Flag," written by Baxter Black, presented by Jim Bloodworth, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Executive Committee Member
• Commemorative presentations by:
• Wayne Newton
• Sloan Gibson, CEO USO
• Susan Barlow, Local Director-USO Houston
• Tonia White, Local Director of Business Development
• Buddy Grantham, City of Houston Director of Veteran's Affairs
• Musical Entertainment
• Nash3
• Wayne Newton
• Chad Van Rys
• Cliff Hudson
• Keni Thomas & Cornbread
• U.S. Army Calvary Platoon
• F-16 Fly Over

KEITH URBAN
Tuesday, March 17, 6:45 p.m.
Chutes and Great Upper Level seats still available.

RODEOHOUSTON appearances: '05, '09

Born in New Zealand, Keith Urban learned to play guitar as a 6-year-old in Australia, and at 8, Urban was winning talent shows. Winning has come naturally to Urban ever since, starting with his first award as a solo artist in 2001, the Country Music Association Horizon Award. That same year, the Academy of Country Music named him Top New Male Vocalist.

Since 2001, Urban has sold more than 10 million albums and remains the only Horizon Award winner in history to go on to win the CMA's Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year, a title he's captured three times. Urban is not only a talented singer and entertainer, he also is incredibly talented with a multitude of instruments. He received his first GRAMMY nomination for best country instrumental. Urban plays acoustic and electric guitar, piano, ganjo (a six-string banjo with the neck of a guitar), slide guitar and mandolin. Anyone who's witnessed one of his concerts knows it is on stage where Urban truly shines, with the ability to stretch out musically and to connect with his audience.

Singles: "Sweet Thing," "Start a Band (with Brad Paisley)," "You Look Good in My Shirt," "I Told You So," "Better Life," "Once in a Lifetime," "Days Go By," "You're My Better Half," "But for the Grace of God," "Your Everything," "Where the Blacktop Ends," "You'll Think of Me," "Raining on Sunday"

The Hideout
Doors open at 4 p.m.
Tuesday, March 17, 10:15 p.m.

80 PROOF BAND

A group of very diverse singer/songwriters from different musical backgrounds, the 80 Proof Band has a distinct and different sound than most. On stage, the band mixes the right amount of energy, original songs and great covers, keeping the crowd engaged and wanting more.