Kelly Clarkson Stuns Rodeo Houston Crowd with Tanya Tucker Cover

The singer's powerful rendition of "It's A Little Too Late" is being hailed as one of the best country covers ever.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:40pm

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During her recent performance at Rodeo Houston, Kelly Clarkson stunned the crowd with a powerful cover of Tanya Tucker's classic song "It's A Little Too Late". Clarkson's expansive vocal range and ability to breathe new life into covers has earned her a reputation, with some even joking they don't want her to cover their songs. The Rodeo Houston performance was no exception, as Clarkson honored the country music legacy of Tucker and left the audience in awe.

Why it matters

Kelly Clarkson's decision to leave her daytime talk show had some fans wondering about the future of her career. However, her Rodeo Houston performance proves she is far from done, and her ability to masterfully cover classic country songs highlights her versatility as an artist.

The details

Written by Roger Murrah and Pat Terry, "It's a Little Too Late" was originally recorded by Tanya Tucker and appeared on her 1978 album "Can't Run from Yourself". The song peaked at No. 3 on the Canadian Country Tracks and No. 2 on the US Hot Country Songs. The lyrics tell the story of a narrator struggling with the idea of leaving a toxic relationship, even though they know it's the right thing to do. Clarkson's rendition of the song was praised by fans as one of the best country covers they had ever heard.

  • Kelly Clarkson's Rodeo Houston performance took place in March 2026.

The players

Kelly Clarkson

An American singer, songwriter, and television personality who rose to fame as the winner of the first season of American Idol in 2002.

Tanya Tucker

An American country music singer who had her breakthrough success as a juvenile performer, earning the nickname the "Delta Dawn" in the early 1970s.

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The takeaway

Kelly Clarkson's powerful cover of Tanya Tucker's "It's A Little Too Late" at Rodeo Houston demonstrates her versatility as an artist and her ability to breathe new life into classic country songs. This performance has solidified Clarkson's reputation as a talented and dynamic performer who can captivate audiences with her vocal prowess.