It had been 2 years since Houstonians could come together for the World Championship BBQ Cookoff. To the people of the Houston area and surrounding communities this is almost bigger than the rodeo because of energetic and celebratory atmosphere. Maybe, it's the free booze and the free food but mostly it's a tradition that dates back to 1974 when the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo incorporated the cookoff into it's game plan. Rodeo and Barbecue are engrained into the culture of this area and clearly, Toby Keith is aware.
On the third night of cookoff, in the most exclusive tent on the grounds, an acoustic party to close out the festivities led by local star Rodell Duff and Nashville star Michael Ray was under way. The tent is known as The Bull BBQ Shack and each year is the most sought after wristband of the world class event. Each year, 6 spectacular acts of Country Music take the stage and hundreds of Bull Listeners win wristbands to take part in the tradition!
About midway through the evening, a familiar face dressed in a 9/11 Memorial Sweater and a ball cap came through the backdoor of The Bull BBQ Shack, it was Toby Keith...
Toby is a past main-stage performer of RodeoHouston and he was about to surprise 600+ fans in The Bull BBQ Shack. The Morning Bullpen, Katie Neal & Nick Russo were on stage preparing to introduce Michael Ray's performance when up popped the Beer For My Horses and How Do You Like Me Now singer and the crowd went wild!
Toby led the Bull BBQ Shack in a toast and helped us bring Michael Ray on stage! About mid-way through Michael's acoustic set he decided to play Keith's "Should've Been A Cowboy" but little did he know, Toby was still hanging out backstage!
In typical TK fashion, he took the stage to join Michael Ray and treated The Bull family to a night they'd never forget!
Hands down, these moments will be the most talked about of the entire cookoff but all three nights were extra special! The weekend would not have been complete without Dillon Carmichael, Niko Moon, Chayce Beckham, Frank Ray from Thursday and Friday nights.
We waited two years for the biggest rodeo in the world and the cookoff to return to Houston and it's safe to say this city is ready to go! And if they didn't know, they do now...you can't rodeo without The Bull!
