“First Thing I Thought was ‘Absolutely, Yes’”: Cross Canadian Ragweed to Headline Opening Night of PBR Last Cowboy Standing

It’s been a defining year for Red Dirt legends Cross Canadian Ragweed, and that doesn’t seem to be stopping. Their latest step will see them heading to the rodeo in Fort Collins, Colorado for the PBR Last Cowboy Standing event.

After a 15-year hiatus, the group reunited and played their first concerts back together in April at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Featuring a handful of other exceptional artists from the state, the Boys From Oklahoma shows saw Ragweed and fellow Oklahoma legends Turnpike Troubadours welcome more than 185,000 fans across four sold-out shows.

Following on from the momentous shows, the alt-country band are stepping in to save the day with a couple more of their renowned live performances. After it was announced that country singer Tim McGraw was having to pull out of the PBR Last Cowboy Standing event at Colorado State University due to emergency back surgery, Cross Canadian Ragweed have been lined up to take the stage in his place.

The group and PBR have a long history that has seen them perform at numerous parties and events over the last twenty years. “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,” Sean Gleeson, CEO and Commissioner of PBR, shared of the group in a statement. “It’s going to be an epic night of great music and the greatest bull riding on earth.”

Cody Canada, frontman of Cross Canadian Ragweed, echoed similar excitement, telling Holler, "PBR has been so good to us for a very long time. When they asked if we would fill in, the first thing I thought was 'absolutely, yes.' My second thought was that I hope Tim gets better soon.”

Although McGraw pulling out of the gig may have been a disappointment for those heading to the rodeo event, the ‘Boys From Oklahoma’ singers intend to make him and the Colorado country community proud. “We are glad to do this for PBR and one of my favorite states,” Canada added.

Cross Canadian Ragweed will be performing on the rodeo’s opening night of July 21 in what is bound to be a night to remember. After a ride-to-survive showdown from some of the world’s top bull riders, a full 90-minute set from the band will end the night in style. Night two will see John Pardi take to the stage following the epic championship round.

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