FORT COLLINS, Col. – Colorado State University (CSU) and Professional Bull Riders (PBR) have announced that Cross Canadian Ragweed will headline the opening night of the two-day CSU PBR Last Cowboy Standing event on July 21-22. The concert will take place on Monday, July 21, at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins, Colorado.
The iconic band, widely regarded as one of the most influential bands in Red Dirt Music, will take the stage in place of country superstar Tim McGraw, who has been forced to cancel his Fort Collins performance due to a recent back surgery.
Following a 15-year hiatus, Cross Canadian Ragweed played their first full concerts in April at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma, welcoming more than 185,000 fans in four sold-out shows. Known for their energetic live performances, the band will open the two-day event at CSU pairing PBR with full blockbuster concerts. Jon Pardi will perform as scheduled following the bull riding action on Tuesday, July 22.
In a joint statement, PBR and CSU said, “PBR and CSU are excited to announce that Cross Canadian Ragweed will headline the opening night of this groundbreaking sports and entertainment event, promising an unforgettable performance. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience to fans who wanted to see Tim McGraw, and we wish Tim the very best in his recovery.”
PBR and Cross Canadian Ragweed first crossed paths in 2005 when the band played at the official PBR After Party in Bentonville, Arkansas, following a PBR premier series event in nearby Springdale. PBR and Cross Canadian Ragweed partnered up at several other PBR events after that.
“Twenty years ago, Cross Canadian Ragweed brought the house down with an unforgettable after-party, and we immediately recognized the power of this up-and-coming band,” said Sean Gleason, CEO and Commissioner of PBR. “We couldn’t be more pumped that the band is back together and have agreed to open the Last Cowboy Standing event in Fort Collins. It’s going to be an epic night of great music and the greatest bull riding on earth.”
The Best of the West CSU and PBR Concert Series begins on July 21 at 7:30 p.m. MT with Round 1 of PBR’s Last Cowboy Standing. In this intense, ride-to-survive showdown, 35 of the world’s top bull riders will battle through a challenging two-night competition for their shot at a $100,000 first-place prize from the $200,000 total purse. The action continues July 22 at 7:30 p.m. MT with the dramatic conclusion of the grueling event, where only the toughest and most committed will remain in the hunt for the title.
Each night wraps up with full 90-minute concerts: Cross Canadian Ragweed takes the stage after Round 1, while Jon Pardi brings the festival to a celebratory close following the championship round.
Fans can purchase tickets HERE.
Where to Stay
Looking for somewhere to hit the hay after CSU Last Cowboy Standing? Look no further. Whether you're a traveling PBR fan just staying for the night or adding a few extra days to explore Fort Collins, click HERE for everything you need to know about where to stay, what to do and how to make the most of your trip.
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Photo courtesy of Bull Stock Media