Cody Johnson closes Houston rodeo with Carrie Underwood & Carín León Cody Johnson delivered a high-energy concert on the final night of RodeoHouston, setting a new attendance record for a solo performance at NRG Stadium. The event, held on March 22, 2026, marked Johnson’s debut as the second artist to close the annual rodeo with a concert-only show, following George Strait’s historic 2019 performance. With a crowd of 80,203 fans, Johnson surpassed Strait’s previous record by 95 attendees, cementing his place in the event’s legacy. The concert began with a medley of country tunes celebrating Houston, leading into Johnson’s own theme song, “Welcome to the Show,” which he had commissioned for RodeoHouston in 2019. The performance showcased his signature blend of passion and charisma, as he addressed the audience with stories of his early career. Johnson recounted being told “no” repeatedly by industry insiders, including skepticism about his cowboy hat’s viability in Nashville and doubts about his ability to draw large crowds at the rodeo. Johnson’s setlist featured a mix of hits and deeper cuts, including “Long Haired Country Boy,” “People in the Back,” and “Me and My Kind.” His rendition of “With You I Am” saw a slight vocal waver, prompting him to joke about channeling Lionel Richie before adjusting his performance. The crowd joined in on “’Til You Can’t,” his biggest hit, creating a powerful moment of collective singing. The night’s surprises included collaborations with Carrie Underwood and Carín León. Underwood, who had never performed at a rodeo before, joined Johnson for “I’m Gonna Love You,” a moment Johnson humorously described as “killing me” for the audience to witness.#nrg_stadium #carrie_underwood #cody_johnson #carn_len #rodeohouston
