Around The Barrel

Rodeo clown Rockin' robbie Hodges
[Feb. 7, 2009] Rodeo clown Rockin' robbie Hodges of Cedar Town Iowa entertains the crowd at the MetroCentre.

BULLYING HURTS PROGRAM IS MAKING HEADWAY
[Jan. 21, 2009] Last fall the Bullying Hurts Program hired former rodeo clown, George Doak, honoree in numerous Rodeo Halls of Fame, to be their Director of Rodeo Relations. Since that time Doak has represented this important program which offers incentives to various club organizations and high school youth groups, in identifying bullying, its impact and long-lasting affects to children and how to work with youngsters in their community. By Gail Woerner

Rodeo clown talks with the pros 'Outside the Barrel'
[Dec. 30, 2008] Rodeo clown Flint Rasmussen is taking a page from Choteau's other resident celebrity, David Letterman, by hosting his own talk show during the Professional Bull Riders circuit...

Like other talk shows, Rasmussen begins with a bit of standup before settling behind a desk to talk to world-champion cowboys, country musicians and well-known comedians.

Lerwill brings many hats to Sandhills Stock Show and Rodeo
[Dec. 29, 2008] The oversized, yellow, foam cowboy hat might be the first thing you see when he walks into the Ector County Coliseum for the SandHill Stock Show and Rodeo.

It's Troy Lerwill: funnyman, daredevil, bullfighter and all cowboy. He's been selected as the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association's comedy act of the year, the Coors Man in the Can and the barrelman for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. By Ted Harbin

Allan Dessel Rodeo's New Superstar
[Dec. 2, 2008] The first time I saw Allan Dessel fight bulls he was still in high school and very active in Iowa High School Rodeo. I had been told about this remarkable young man from Cherokee, Iowa, by several members of our program and was excited to meet him. As we stood talking behind the chutes he expressed his goal to be a professional bullfighter. By Cindy Meyers, Rodeo Attitude

Bullying Hurts Program Hires Former Bullfighter George Doak
[Sep. 12, 2008] A very effective program called BULLYING HURTS that educates teenagers, through a variety of organizations, to mentor grade school children against bullying, has hired former rodeo clown and bullfighter, George Doak as Director of Rodeo Relations and Education Communication. The veteran of twenty-eight years in the rodeo arena, baiting the bull and saving cowboys, will promote this positive service program throughout the rodeo world encouraging committees and individuals to introduce this worthwhile project in to their home communities. By Gail Woerner

Over the Fence With Cindy
[Aug. 5, 2008] WOW, What an action packed week it was for Rodeo Attitude and its members! Here are just a few highlights from the weekend... By Cindy Meyers, CEO Rodeo Attitude

Rodeo Clown Reunion Dodge City Days July 30th Through August 3rd
[Jul. 24, 2008] What it the true measure of the rodeo clown? If you are anywhere near Dodge City, Kansas, from July 30th through August 3rd, come to the Dodge City Days celebration and PRCA rodeo and see for yourself. There are forty retired rodeo clowns arriving to sign autographs and entertain the fans from every direction – Montana, South and North Dakota, New Mexico, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, New York, Louisiana, Arkansas, Colorado, Michigan and Missouri. They will don their familiar make-up and big baggy britches and get laughs where ever they happen to be. By Gail Woerner, Rodeo Historian

The Life Of Clem McSpadden A Rodeo Renaissance Man
[Jul. 20, 2008] People with wisdom and the willingness to serve don't happen to come around often. And when they do they usually have a chosen field in which they give until they can't give any more. Fortunately, Clem McSpadden chose rodeo as his field of expertise. Or maybe rodeo chose Clem. No matter. It was a beautiful match and for just eighteen years short of a century Clem and rodeo went through life as one. By Gail Woerner, Rodeo Historian
Also: Gail's Website

A well-deserved farewell for rodeo legend
[Jul. 16, 2008] NAMPA - For nearly 30 years, one of the faces of the Snake River Stampede has worn grease paint and entertained fans night after night.

It only seemed right that the Stampede thank him...A near-capacity crowd Tuesday did just that, saying farewell to long-time barrelman Leon Coffee, who retired this year from working rodeo arenas.

A peek into Kevin Higley
[Jul. 11, 2008] To make a long story short, it is Higley's love of family and rodeo that has kept the longtime Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) member coming back to work the Laramie Jubilee Days rodeo for 20 straight years. It's his booming voice of comical jokes and knee-slapping acts that rodeo crowds at the Albany County Fairgrounds have become so familiar with during the Mr. T Classic Bull Riding and four days of PRCA action.

Not Just Clowning Around
[Jul. 7, 2008] How do you become an award-winning rodeo clown performing in front of thousands of fans? If you take Keith Isley’s route, you start in junior rodeo with bareback riding and bull riding, and get more than 33 years of experience entertaining at rodeos throughout the world.

Utah cowboy is a daredevil, too
[May 16, 2008] Troy Lerwill got to see a lot of rodeos as a child because his father was a team roper. But it was the clowns and bull fighters that mesmerized Lerwill. He especially was attracted to the danger that came with the job.

Clown business pays big rewards for Rasmussen
[Apr. 24, 2008] Montana's most famous rodeo clown is enjoying rock-star status in his new role on the Professional Bull Riders circuit.