Around The Barrel

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.

Legendary 'cowboy saver' set to hang up his costume
[Mar. 12, 2008] After more than three decades spent hurling his body between fallen cowboys and 2,000 pounds of furious muscle and horns, Hare is bidding farewell to the sport that has made him a legend on the rodeo circuit.

HISTORY OF THE RODEO CLOWN REUNION
[Mar. 6, 2008] When thinking of ‘all things funny, the rodeo clown is an example of the need for levity in a tense situation. The very first rodeo clowns, around the early part of the twentieth century, were developed out of a need for someone to keep rodeo spectators in their seats by entertaining them while a lull in the program happened. By Gail Hughbanks-Woerner

Rodeo Clowns Are Serious
[Feb. 21, 2008] Rodeo is dangerous business, but people who make their living in the ring live for it.
"I broke my jaw, ribs, hand, thumb," demonstrates Rodeo Clown, Lance McIlvain. He also broke his foot, just in time for tonight's Rodeo.

The Rodeo Clown Reunion Comes To Dodge City
[Feb. 8, 2008] The rodeo clowns of yesteryear are donning their familiar make-up and garb and will appear at the Dodge City Days in Dodge City, Kansas, July 30th through August 3rd,. Approximately fifty retired rodeo clowns, bullfighters and barrelmen will attend the annual rodeo and activities in Dodge City, which includes visiting with fans.

Barrett-Corley tandem highlights personnel selections for 22nd DNCFR
[Jan. 30, 2008] For the first time since its inaugural rodeo in 1987, the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo is bringing back two legendary announcers to Holt Arena in Pocatello, Idaho. Hadley Barrett, a ProRodeo Hall of Famer and four-time PRCA Announcer of the Year, will share the announcer’s stand with his son-in-law, Randy Corley, a 10-time PRCA Announcer of the Year, for the 22nd DNCFR, March 19-22. By Courtesy PRCA

Arizona man goes from rodeo clown to 'Gladiator'
[Jan. 16, 2008]