Review: Aaron Watson’s RodeoHouston Debut Is Dream Come True [PICTURES]

Aaron Watson made his Rodeo Houston debut on Tuesday night (March 7), in front of a crowd of more than 50,000. A Texas native, the singer-songwriter has been dreaming of playing on the rodeo's big stage, and in Houston as whole, since he was a little boy.

"Growing up, every summer, we would come see my grandmother, and my whole family and I would go across the parking lot to watch the [Houston] Astros play at the Dome, so a lot of my dreams just started in the Astrodome," Watson told The Boot during a pre-show interview. "I remember walking into the Dome and that green turf just glowing, so I always dreamed that I could get to play for Houston, but I was thinking shortstop. Tonight, I get to play for Houston, but with country music."

A few songs into his set, before playing "Raise Your Bottle," Watson made special mention of his father, who is a disabled veteran, and asked the active servicemen and veterans in attendance to stand so that he and the crowd could thank them for their service. Following that song, Watson broke into "God Loves Cowboys," the arena's purple lighting matching the song's romantic vibe as Watson, up on the rodeo's rotating stage, took in the crowd singing along.

Watson got personal again before playing his song "Bluebonnets": With the stage drenched in deep blue light, the singer spoke about the loss of his daughter Julia Grace. Prior to his set, Watson told The Boot that he was looking forward to adding such personal touches to his RodeoHouston debut -- "just getting up on that stage, playing my songs, sharing my love for Jesus and my family and my love for the rodeo crowd."

Growing up I dreamed of playing for Houston...2nd base. Playing @RODEOHOUSTON was just as sweet & a dream come true https://t.co/iyB1oMH5YP pic.twitter.com/kqaNZbed9h

— Aaron Watson (@aaron_watson) March 8, 2017

Watson's RodeoHouston was was even more special because the whole thing was being recorded. It was the first time that a live DVD / CD has been recorded at the rodeo since George Strait did it back in 2001.

"We were up really late, and my manager was like, 'Man, we should do a live recording,' and I was like, 'For real, let's do it,'" Watson recalled, a huge smile on his face. "So we are."

Vaquero, Watson's 13th album, is available on iTunes, Amazon and Watson’s official website; his upcoming tour dates, and more information about the singer, are also available on AaronWatson.com.

RodeoHouston 2017, which runs throughout March, will feature a star-studded concert lineup, including Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett, Brad Paisley, Chris Stapleton and more. More information can be found on the rodeo's official website.

See More Photos From RodeoHouston 2017