HOUSTON – This has been a record-breaking year for concerts at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Coming into this year's Rodeo Houston, Jason Aldean held the record for the highest paid attendance, 74,901, set on St. Patrick's Day in 2012.
This year, three different performers have played to bigger crowds. Surprisingly, none of them are country acts.
Bruno Mars was the first to break the 75,000 mark with 75,175 fans on March 7. A new record was set just three days later on Go Tejano Day when Julion Alvarez and Los Invasores de Nuevo Leon played to 75,305 fans.
Thursday night, 75,217 fans watched Pitbull, the second largest paid crowd ever at Rodeo Houston.
Rodeo officials said performers like Bruno Mars and Pitbull appeal to a younger audience that's will to buy standing-room only tickets.
"I think that's good. We need to bring more different acts to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo so they can see the culture of the rodeo. It doesn't only appeal to country western but it appeals to everybody," rodeo attendee Courtney Edwards said.
Toby Keith will perform on opening day on Tuesday, Feb. 25.