FORT WORTH, Texas – Ahead of the first-ever PBR (Professional Bull Riders) World Finals in Fort Worth, Texas, from May 13-22, the organization today announced that Cliburn medalist Daniel Hsu will perform a free-to-attend concert alongside bull riding’s most prestigious event. Joining an already action-packed lineup of free programming, Hsu’s performance will be held Friday, May 13 at the Tractor Supply Co. Stage in the Fort Worth Stockyards.
Hsu’s performance, which will begin at 4:30 p.m., will conclude with the playing of the genre-bending single “Free,” when he will be joined by Averi Burk and Lou Charle$.
The 2022 PBR World Finals will buck into Fort Worth on May 13-22 at Dickies Arena. The opening rounds of competition will be held May 13-15, with the action coming to a climactic end May 19-22 when the 2022 PBR World Champion will be crowned, earning the coveted gold buckle and accompanying $1 million bonus.
Twenty-four-year-old pianist Hsu lives at the intersection of music and technology. A child prodigy, he began taking piano lessons at the young age of six and performed with a symphony just two years later in his native California.
Hsu has since won some of classical music’s top international prizes and performs regularly around the world. In 2017, Hsu was awarded the bronze medal at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. The 2022 edition of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition will be held in Fort Worth from June 2-18 at Bass Performance Hall and Van Cliburn Concert Hall at Texas Christian University.
He also developed genius programming skills early on, contributing to the creation of the app that won the 2015 Apple Design Award.
Since becoming a Cliburn-medalist, Hsu has reached beyond the traditional bounds of classical music, partnering with Fort Worth artists Burk and Charle$ for the single “Free.” The song, which was initially proposed by Hear Fort Worth and The Cliburn, debuted to much acclaim earlier this year at the Visit Fort Worth Annual Meeting.
Dallas-Fort Worth-native Burk joined the track on the heels of releasing her debut album Paradise in 2020. Composed while on a journey of healing, authenticity breathes through each of Burk’s songs, which are written and sung over electronic pop and rock-driven beats.
Always incorporating live instrumentation in her music, Burk is well-versed in guitar, drums, and piano. One thing that sets Averi apart is her live performance. Her shows rock you to your core while being raw, powerful, engaging and immersive.
Hip-hop and rap recording artist Charle$ made his home in Fort Worth after moving quite frequently as a child, including briefly residing in Houston, Cairo, Trinidad and Tobago. Enamored with the culture of Cowtown, Charle$ has often cited the people of the city, and their open nature, as one of the biggest influences on his music.
Also holding an affinity for Fort Worth’s spatial openness and appreciation for innovation, Charle$ annually hosts Louapalooza, an annual show cultivating a vibrant environment for all to come and experience great homegrown music.
Charle$ recently debuted his new album Life Goes On, now available on all major platforms.
The 2022 PBR World Finals opening weekend will take place at Dickies Arena Friday, May 13, and Saturday, May 14 at 6:45 p.m. CDT, and Sunday, May 15 at 1:45 p.m. CDT. The action will continue on Thursday, May 19, Friday, May 20, and Saturday, May 21 at 7:45 p.m. CDT, concluding on Sunday, May 22 at 8:45 a.m. CDT.
Single-day tickets are on sale now and start at $42, taxes and fees not included. Tickets can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com and PBR.com, at the Dickies Arena Box Office, or by calling PBR customer service at 1-800-732-1727.