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A Conversation with Rodeo Announcer Bob Tallman
Rodeo great Bob Tallman discusses his thoughts on Rodeo Billings new venture and reminisces on other names you might recognize with Bo Swayze.
Bo Swayze:
I have on the phone with me, the legendary rodeo announcer, Mr. Bob Tallman.
You know, Bob, just looking at your accomplishments 12 time PR, CA announcer of the year Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame Saint Paul Rodeo Hall of Fame, Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, Miss Rodeo America Hall of Fame, Reno Hall of Fame. Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame and most recently, the rodeo Houston Hall of Fame. How was Houston?
Bob
Oh my goodness. Houston was amazing. Somebody might had a chance to watch it on the cowboy channel and it’ll replay replay. We set a new all attendance record. This will blow people away in Billings on the grounds at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on Saturday, a day record attendance of 190,000.
Bo
Good Lord, that is amazing up there.
Bob
Yeah. Yeah, that’s a lot of Alamos, buddy.
Bo
Yes, Sir. Well, you know, Rodeo Billings is bringing back the magic with us here.
Bob
Yes, I’m ready.
Bo
The true cowboy and rodeo traditions, and to help educate kids and families here is what makes you know, rodeo a True Grit and family tradition in sport. You know, we are so excited to have you here and I can’t. I can’t take credit for this. This is from my great marketing specialist, Jen Jacobson. She said there’s just something different. Hits when you know a bucking stock is loaded and there’s a crowd of full Cowboys up there. Taking their hats off to the American flag and the great Big Sky country in open space. And you know, that’s what you’re helping bring back to Billings and we’re excited about it.
Bob
Well, you’ve got to give credit where credit is due in first and city is second to be the state of Montana and 3rd in line. But first at the top of the helm and David Allen, David Allen and I have been lifelong friends and his young son Garrison who I talked to this morning will be there to announce the rodeo. Go together. But David has been a part of and this. I’m gonna take you back when he was an executive with Wrangler jeans and shirts and the PRCA as he’s been the marketing director for Dale Earnhardt, he has been a part of the television show in about four different fashions over the last 30 years. And he tried to retire. After the Elk Foundation, which he turned into a billion dollar, you know an annual association here and when. Billings was smart to go. Tony Field, a young friend of mine that worked for me in the bold business 30 years ago. Who is your building manager? And David Allen, who’s you know, overall with the fair. What what’s happened in the rodeo business mode today and you know, this being a fan and being, you know, back in your days. Raised in Kerrville, TX, the rodeo business is bursting wide open. Well, they said that 25 years ago, they said it’s 30 and 40 years.
Years ago, rodeo business burst it open. I just came from a rodeo where Roger Steiner rode a bucking horse for 65,000. I just came and watched Riley Webb. The two-time World Champion party. My voice this morning I’ve used it a little in the last.
But he wins $73,000 only seconds in the NFR of which Billings will be a major contribution in the earnings that they win to go on in the top 15 for the world let.
Don’t forget the Montana summer circuit that my friend Larry Jordan started years ago and how big the industry is regardless of the economy up or down. Why number one? It is the all-American sport coming from the everyday working lives of Cowboys Cowgirls. It’s also the day. And you mentioned this moment. Go. You’re gonna watch people take their hats off, put their hand over their heart. We’re gonna talk about Jesus Christ. We’re gonna sing the national anthem together. Now you tell me how it gets any better than that both ways.
Bo
No, Sir, not at all. Now, for those who do not know, Rodeo Billings is at the Montana Fair at Metro Park from August 14th through the 16th. Currently, right now, building a brand-new outdoor arena.
Bob
Well, I’m going to make it a Montana vacation and try to spend two or three weeks I go to the little rodeo at Sanders County at Plains, Montana. It’s one of the biggest three-day Labor Day rodeos and I’m spend a little time in Montana and in love with the people.
Bo
Yes, Sir.
Bob
In the country, of course, but I try not to go there after Labor Day or before the 1st of June. My daughter is at MSU, so I I know a little bit about Montana have a pretty good investment in it.
Bo
Very good, ladies and gentlemen. I am with Hall of Famer Ball Bob Tallman, who will be announcing now just a little trivia for those who do not know, you officiated on Garrison Allen’s wedding.
Bob
Ohh yeah, yeah, forward South Dakota. Couple of years ago and one of two brothers that that the Silver Fox and David have raised. I was on the phone with him leaving Houston this morning and his mother-in-law is none other than Lisa Lockhart and his brother Logan who I called my attorney. And. Involved with Wrangler in the video production business all over the United States, and so that family has continued family tradition where they’re being technology or in voice broadcasting. And Garrett and Allen and I work two or three other major rodeos together, including the rodeo at Reno. Billings, You have always been a great rodeo town. I’ve been there. College Rodeo at the Nile in the building. But if you live in Montana and you don’t own an old floppy Black Hat, get one because you’re gonna want to bring your family first. It’s affordable. Second, it’s gonna be an awesome rodeo. Parking is great. He’ll bring the bucking horses and nobody. Nobody in the world can put together a better set of horses, which means that you’re gonna see the lakes and berries, the rockers, diners, the Bradley Millers, all of these great Cowboys that are #1 and 100,000 right now. They’re gonna be there to ride bucking horses and we’re. Bye.
Bo
Yes, Sir. Bob Tallman, thank you so much for coming to Billings. We are so excited to see you in August and an open invitation, Before we leave, Do you have any good stories about our good friend, Larry Mahan?
Bob
Oh my God. Larry Mahan changed my life in the rodeo industry from a showmanship standpoint. Larry Mahan and I were friends up until the day before he died. After he did, he’s still a dear friend of mine. Gotta understand what Larry Mahan did. He changed.
The rodeo industry changed a little bit of the country music industry definitely changed. The western wear industry and from his humble beginning in Brooks OR to becoming the all-around champion many times ride wrongs, ride, bear back horses, ride bulls and he could team up as well. Mahan is a name.
It will if you go back in the archives. He changed the Western Way of life. And blew it out of the park all by himself. He had great help. He had good managers, good attorneys. Changed the boot business. The hat business. And I’ve actually been in the sweatshop at 252 Pico Rivera Blvd. In Los Angeles. Ran a sewing machine and made a few shirts. Well, the thing with it is I’m getting in an airplane with him, going someplace and thinking about the first time I can remember signing autographs where Lake Comanche, California, near Clemens and Lodi at a big rodeo and two hour line was two hours long.
And he had autographed cards, and he’d sign it, and he’d hand it next to me and I’d sign it and we’d give it to people. And what I watched him do and accomplish, not only to mention of being a superstar champion, he was the best thing that the public needed at that time and put him boost in the rodeo business. That was unbelievable.
Bo
Well, Bob, Bob Tallman, Hall of Famer right here on KGHL, Sir. Thank you again so much.
