Russell Dickerson brought infectious energy and genuine enthusiasm to his RodeoHouston debut on Thursday night. He covered ’80s classics, brandished a theatrical showmanship and repeatedly said how excited he was to be there.
“This is a dream come true.” he told the crowd of 53,063.
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Dickerson said he’d been “nervous for six weeks” and called it “by far the best night of my entire life.” He punctuated those statements with yelps of excitement. In January, he performed a 15-minute pop-up show at Times Square in New York City to preview the Rodeo lineup announcement.
Russell Dickerson performs in concert during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo at NRG Park in Houston, Thursday, March 5, 2026. (Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle)
He’s a polished live performer and worked the entirety of the stage, circling it multiple times and rising up on the star points. His dramatic gestures and banter are clearly inspired by the showmanship of Garth Brooks, who Dickerson has called one of his biggest influences.
Dickerson feels like a star on the verge of a next-level breakout. What he’s still working toward is a defining sound to match.
Russell Dickerson RodeoHouston setlist
“Worth Your Wild”
“It’s About Time”
“Home Sweet”
“She Likes It”
“Sippin’ on Top of the World”
“Bones”
“Love You Like I Used To”
“Blue Tacoma”
“God Gave Me a Girl”
“Every Little Thing”
“Love That I Love You”
“MGNO”
“Yours”
“Happen to Me”
Every song was its own mini-set. Opener “Worth Your Wild” played like an ‘80s arena rocker. “It’s About Time” leaned into the rap-lite formula that’s a favorite among modern country acts. “Home Sweet” rode a gentle gallop that recalled Coldplay.
“She Likes It” had the earnest energy of a Broadway showtune. All that was missing was the dance crew that joined him in Times Square. Even Dickerson’s red and denim outfit felt more “Outsiders: A New Musical” than Grand Ole Opry, moreso when he ditched the jacket to reveal an unbuttoned bowling shirt and white tank top.
Russell Dickerson performs in concert during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo at NRG Park in Houston, Thursday, March 5, 2026. (Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle)
Vocally, he’s one of the strongest of the current crop of country stars. He took the stage solo for an acoustic run through “God Gave Me a Girl,” a song he said was about breaking up with a girlfriend, who eventually became his wife. It was one of his best moments, alongside power ballad “Yours.”
He chopped up “MGNO,” short for “My Girl’s Night Out,” with snippets of Black Eyed Peas and Whitney Houston hits. It set the tone for closer “Happen to Me,” which went viral on TikTok because of its riff on Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” All that was missing was a Pitbull feature. It was cheesy fun that energized the crowd and sent them home dancing.
“This is absolutely insane,” Dickerson said. “This is the biggest show we’ve ever played in my entire life.”
This article originally published at Houston Rodeo Review: Russell Dickerson channels debut nerves into ‘best night of my entire life’.