THE Barretos Cowboy Festival is the annual meeting of biggest names in country music and, in 2024, the festival celebrates its 69th edition between August 15th and 25th with more than 100 shows.
Throughout history, the rodeo venue has hosted international acts such as Garth Brooks, Mariah Carey and Alan Jackson, and has collected moments from national acts such as Gusttavo Lima’s live barbecue and the reunion of the Amigos group.
Relive historic moments of the Barretos Cowboy Festival
Friends Group (1998)
Two months after the death of Leandro, Leonardo’s partner, who was a victim of cancer, the show brought together around 55 thousand people at the venue. The singers dedicated the song “Viola Enluarada” to the member who passed away.
At the beginning of the show, the audience was given a candle — which they lit while the artists sang “Ave Maria” in the arena. “Doing ‘Amigos’ without it is very difficult,” Leonardo said at the time.
Luan Santana (2010)
Chosen as the festival’s ambassador, the singer performed for around 60,000 people — breaking the festival’s record. Luan sang his hits from the time, such as “Meteoro”, “Tô de Cara”, “Minha Boca Você Não Beija Mais”, “Sinais” and “Digitais”.
The singer revealed in an interview with the Flow podcast in 2021 that his story with the festival began in 2009, when he performed without any kind of remuneration on the alternative stage. Just a year later, he was invited to represent the party.
Garth Brooks (2015)
The American country singer returned to the Brazilian stage 17 years later, having already performed at the Festa do Peão de Barretos in 1999. During the performance, he invited the duos Fernando & Sorocaba and Chitãozinho & Xororó, singer Paula Fernandes and presenter Xuxa Meneghel to participate.
Brooks paid all travel expenses — his and the band’s — to perform at the show, and the proceeds from the night’s box office went entirely to the Barretos Cancer Hospital.
Gustavo Lima (2017)
The current Ambassador — who adopted this as his official nickname — promised a four-hour show at the event and delivered. On stage, the singer recalled his hits from the beginning of his career, such as “60 segundos”, “Inventor dos Amores” and “Cabelo Cor de Ouro”.
In addition to these, he played hits of the time such as “Family Man”, “I Was Faithful”, “Jejum de amor” and “Vidinha de balada”.
At 6am, with the sun rising, Gusttavo brought a barbecue grill to the stage — serving meat to some fans who were close to the stage. At this moment, he bet on the modão, singing “Telefone Mudo”, by Trio Parada Dura, “Evidências”, by Chitãozinho and Xororó, among others.
Friends Reunion (2019)
The group formed by Zezé Di Camargo & Luciano, Chitãozinho & Xororó and Leonardo reunited after 21 years since their last performance at Parque do Peão. “Even though we’ve been here before, we tremble every time we step on this stage,” said Zezé Di Camargo during the show.
The Friends took the opportunity to record the video for the song “Única”, composed by Xororó, Tonny and Kleber.
Source: CNN Brasil
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