Tim McGraw Makes Triumphant Return With Hit-Filled Set at Music City Rodeo, Joined by Daughters For Special Performance

“Welcome to the inaugural Music City Rodeo!” McGraw said. “We’re going to be here every single year, so I want y’all to keep coming out.”

Tim McGraw and his three daughters; Photo Provided by Music City Rodeo

Tim McGraw made his triumphant return to the stage at the inaugural Music City Rodeo at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, following a series of major back surgeries and knee replacements. The 58-year-old country superstar was one of three artists headlining the three-day event—Nashville’s first rodeo—which ran from May 29 to 31 and featured performances by McGraw, Jelly Roll, who delivered a powerful night two performance, and Reba McEntire, who kicked things off on Thursday.

The Louisiana native took to the stage at 9:35PM to the rowdy track “Truck Yeah,” setting the tone for his hit-filled, 90-minute set that followed.

“Thank you! My name’s Tim, better known as Faith Hill’s husband, which I like a lot,” McGraw said, introducing himself to the sold-out crowd before welcoming them to the event. “Welcome to the inaugural Music City Rodeo! Had you had a good time? Give it up for Miss Reba [McEntire], Mr. Jelly Roll and my boys. I want to thank my team for putting this together, Pat, Brian, Down Home, everybody that did such a great job. And thanks to you guys for showing up and supporting this. We’re going to be here every single year, so I want y’all to keep coming out. It’s been a blast doing this and a big hand for the cowboys and cowgirls. It wouldn’t be a show without those guys.”

Tim McGraw; Photo Provided by Music City Rodeo

Joined by his band The Dancehall Doctors, the singer/songwriter offered an energy-filled set full of fan-favorite hit such as “Southern Voice,” “I Like It, I Love It,” “Real Good Man,” “How Bad Do You Want It,” “Something Like That,” and his current single at Country radio, “Paper Umbrellas,” and more.

“We’ve been working on a new record, and we thought that this song… was appropriate for the night. Hope you like it!” McGraw said before performing the live debut of a brand-new unreleased song, titled “King Rodeo,” as a silhouette in a single spotlight coming from behind him. “King Rodeo” is expected to appear on McGraw’s forthcoming new album, which will follow his 17th studio album, Standing Room Only, released in 2023.

Tim McGraw and his three daughters; Photo Provided by Music City Rodeo

One of the standout moments came when McGraw brought his three daughters, Gracie (28), Maggie (26), and Audrey (23), onstage during the final chorus of his 2007 hit, “Last Dollar (Fly Away).” They were joined by the track’s producer Byron Gallimore’s daughters—Sophia, Ella Rose, and Evangeline—for the special family performance of the track that they sang on when they were young kids.

“They’re all grown up now! My girls!” McGraw said before sharing a hug with his daughters and Gallimore’s daughters as they exited the stage.

In addition to bringing out his daughters, he also paid tribute to his wife, Faith Hill, during his performance of the chart-topping hit “Bad Habit,” with personal videos, live performances and clips of their relationship through the years displayed in the background.

“Woah, I’m a lucky man!” McGraw shouted in the midst of his performance of the hit song, a sweet nod to how fortunate he feels to be married to the beautiful country star, known for hit songs like “Breathe,” “It’s Your Love,” and “This Kiss.”

Tim McGraw; Photo Provided by Music City Rodeo

Tim McGraw made sure to honor his acting role as James Dutton in 1883, the Yellowstone spin-off, before returning to the stage for his encore. A lengthy montage of clips of McGraw and his wife Faith Hill were displayed from big moments of the show before he stepped back into the spotlight for a memorable performance of “The Cowboy In Me,” “Humble And Kind” and “Where The Green Grass Grows.”

He concluded his set with a massive sing along with the capacity to “Live Like You Were Dying,” a song he released in 2004 dedicated to his late father, Tug McGraw, who passed away in January of that year.

Music City Rodeo In Nashville

Tim McGraw’s headlining performance took place after an electrifying rodeo presented by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). The Music City Rodeo — the city’s first full-event rodeo and concert series — was founded in 2023 by Nashville residents Pat Humes of Humes Rodeo and Brian Kaplan, co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Tim McGraw’s Down Home.

The inaugural Music City Rodeo marks a historic moment for Nashville, officially becoming the first time the city hosted its own major PRCA-sanctioned rodeo. Held at Bridgestone Arena, the groundbreaking event brings together two iconic American traditions — country music and rodeo — in the heart of Tennessee.

Patrick Humes, Tim McGraw, Brian Kaplan; Photo Provided by Music City Rodeo

Each day will showcase thrilling rodeo events, including bull riding, barrel racing, team roping, and bronc riding, with the world’s top cowboys and cowgirls competing for over $200,000 in prize money. Fans also enjoyed the full pageantry of the rodeo with family-friendly activities like mutton bustin’, rodeo clowns, and Rodeo Queens, before each night culminated in a star-studded concert.

Having performed at more than 20 historic rodeos throughout his career, Tim McGraw and Down Home were inspired to bring the Music City Rodeo to town. He will close out the three-day event on Saturday night with a headlining set. Reba McEntire kicked off rodeo festivities with a show-stopping performance on Thursday, May 29, and then Jelly Roll followed with a powerful during an emotional homecoming, with all three artists — McGraw, McEntire, and Jelly Roll — serving as founding members of Music City Rodeo.