Auburn Rodeo will be here before you know it!

If you are planning on going to Rodeo this year, I recommend you check out this list of artists and their hit songs. Go ahead and put your windows down and turn up the radio. You’ll be glad you learned the lyrics before seeing them live. Let’s start by going over a few of the opening artists and their top songs, and then we can move on to the main act… Zach Bryan!

J.R. Carroll

The first song I recommend to get things going is by an artist named J.R. Carroll. Carroll got his start by singing choir music on Sunday mornings in a small town in Oklahoma. He and a group of friends started a band of their own. Carroll played piano and guitar. Guess who else was in this band— none other than Zach Bryan!

After playing in Bryan’s band, he started writing and recording music of his own. He just dropped a new single this month called “Diamondhead,” and I have a feeling it will be played at rodeo this year. Carroll’s most popular song, “Where the Red Fern Grows,” is sure to be on the set list— add it to your playlist now! It’s a classic take on leaving your roots behind and taking new chances. I am excited to see Carroll introduce his music to many new listeners. 

Luke Grimes

Next up is Luke Grimes. You might recognize Grimes from the hit television series “Yellowstone.” Grimes grew up playing music in church and was influenced by his father’s musical choices, which included icons like Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. The Ohio native is in the process of finding his own voice and style while currently working on his first major label.

Grimes’ new single “Hold On” is about the ups and downs of being in a relationship. I believe this song is super relatable to college students and will be a hit at rodeo. Another song to be on the lookout for is Grime’s number one song “No Horse to Ride.” This song went on to hit No. 7 on the Top 10 of the Country Songs sales charts. “No Horse to Ride” has a catchy tune and is a must-listen-to before the concert.

Ian Munsick

Last of the openers is Ian Munsick. Munsick started out in Wyoming tending to cattle during the day and playing music with his family band at night. He does a great job of painting this portrait of the American West through his lyrical storytelling.

Munsick has just recently been on tour with country stars, Morgan Wallen and Cody Johnson. This past spring, he released an 18-track album telling tales of family, young fun, romance, and ranch life. There is no doubt you will hear a song or two from this album at the rodeo. His most popular song with Cody Johnson, “Long Live Cowgirls” is a personal favorite of mine and is sure to be on his song sheet at rodeo!

Zach Bryan

And now for the main act… Zach Bryan! After blowing up the music charts this past year, everyone knows who Zach Bryan is. No matter where you are on campus, you can count on someone listening to him around you. Bryan is a country singer-songwriter who is originally from Japan but grew up in Oklahoma.

Bryan’s major-label debut album “American Heartbreak” is widely popular. Bryan is currently ranked as the 199th artist in the world on Spotify. Bryan’s newly released album called “Zach Bryan” dropped on August 25th, and it contains a balance of songs about unforgettable storytelling and catchy tunes. I would be shocked if Bryan didn’t play a few of his new songs from this album, specifically his duet with Kacey Musgraves, “I Remember Everything.” Some of Bryan’s more popular songs that are sure to wow the crowd are “Something in the Orange,” “Highway Boys,” “Heading South,” “Revival,” “From Austin,” and many more. Bryan has a wide variety of amazing songs, so hearing any of them live will ensure that Rodeo is a memorable experience!

I hope this helps to give you a sneak peek at what you can expect from the stars performing at Rodeo this weekend. See you there!

 As always, have fun, stay safe, and…

Be Well Auburn!