Spooner Rodeo Entertainment

Jeff "Slim" Garner, Rodeo Comedian & Barrel Clown

Spooner Rodeo Entertainment Jeff Slim Garner He’s ba-a-a-a-ck. Spooner Rodeo audiences loved Jeff “Slim” Garner a lot last year, so he’ll be back to give them even more comedy in 2007. The action and comedy are non-stop when Jeff “Slim” Garner roars into the rodeo arena in his crazy “Cowboy Cadillac.” And look out when his spectacular “Space Cannon” goes ka-boom!

Born, raised and educated in Kansas, Jeff is a second-generation rodeo clown who has more than 15 years of experience in bringing laughter to rodeo fans around the nation. While he started clowning at the age 17, Jeff did take time off to go to Garden City (KA) community College where he earned an associate degree in animal science. But being an entertainer felt more important to him, so he want back to the rodeo. APRCAmember since 2000, Jeff now travels coast-to-coast working at 25 to 35 rodeos a year.

Performing in rodeo arenas is “a huge thrill” for Jeff and a wonderful chance to live out his dreams, too, he said, adding that “Anything that is loud and can catch people’s attention is what I like best.” That’s where the out-of-control Cadillac and big, booming cannon get into the act. And big fires, too. Jeff “claims” to cook up some fine BBQ chicken during his act in the rodeo arena, but his cooking fires more often turn into blazing infernos. Are the local fire trucks standing by?

Jeff “Slim” Garner has been a cowboy all his life, learning to ride as soon as he could walk, breaking horses from the time he was a young boy, plus traveling with his dad who clowned and rode bulls on the rodeo circuit for many years. Riding, roping and working with his dad on the ranch take up much of his spare time now.

“TEXAS KID” Rodney Hayes Rodeo Entertainer

Texas Kid, entertainment at the Spooner Rodeo

SPONSORED BY WILD RIVER SPORT & MARINE

Never before seen here, Rodney Hayes & the Pony Express will amaze rodeo fans at Spooner in 2007. Rodney Hayes, aka the “Texas Kid,” set out in 2001 to put together an act, to “build something bigger and better than anyone has ever had.” And he has certainly accomplished that goal. Now this troupe, consisting of two talented youngsters and several extraordinary animals, led by the Texas Kid, puts on stunning shows at rodeos all around the USA and was even featured as a Specialty Act at the National Finals Rodeo in 2006. This honor comes on top of two other prestigious performances, at Tour Finale Dallas in 2004 and at PRCA Southeast Circuit Finals as the Act of the Year in 2005.

The act began in 2001 when Rodney Hayes, a veteran bull and bareback rider and PRCA bullfighter, decided to take his career in a new direction. He first found a big, 2000-lb. Brazilian Gir Bull that he calls Billy the Kid. Billy is “an unbelievable and remarkable animal,” that rides like a cow horse, rope horse and trick horse. Sitting in Billy’s saddle, Hayes can work cows, rope steers, run barrels and do all sorts of amazing tricks.

Next Hayes added a 30” miniature horse known as Peanut the Pony, a unique performer in his own right. Then Hayes’ niece, Kailey Byrd, joined the act, followed by young Lathan Crump in 2006. More ponies, another bull, and in 2007, a new trick horse called Trigger now complete the cast of Rodney Hayes & the Pony Express.

This a must-see team of gifted performers, an exciting act that rodeo fans will still be talking about for years to come.

Kelly Kenny, Rodeo and Bulls & Barrels Announcer

Spooner Rodeo Entertainment - Kelly Kenny Kelly Kenney is a true cowboy himself, with spurs on his boots, a saddle stamped “Champion Team Roper,” and a knee encased in one of those ‘bionic’ braces often sported by steer wrestlers. Anywhere he performs as a rodeo announcer, Kelly always does his best “to give the fans the show they deserve, because they are the backbone of our sport.”

Now a veteran announcer at Spooner as well as at pro rodeos around the country, Kelly Kenney from southwest Missouri is coming back again this year to call the action at both the Spooner Rodeo in July and Spooner Bulls & Barrels in August. He has been a professional rodeo announcer since 2001.

While Kelly played country music and officiated at high school and college sports events during his college years in the mid-1990s, he entered the world of rodeo in the fall of 1995. He competed as a team roper and steer wrestler, while at the same time managing a 5,000-acre spread with 1,800 head of cows and calves. From 1996 to 2000, he became a popular amateur rodeo announcer throughout the Ozarks. During that time, Kelly’s knowledge and silky-smooth baritone earned him honors as “Announcer of the Year” in four different amateur associations. In the fall of 2000, Kelly became head rodeo coach at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, MO. During his first season there, both his men and women’s teams at MVC won reserve championships. Five team members took year-end event honors, and ten qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, WY. To top off the season, Kelly was voted as Ozark Region “Coach of the Year” in 2001. Nevertheless, he still decided that year to resign from Missouri Valley College to pursue being a professional rodeo announcer. Kelly believes, “The American Cowboy is a big part of our everyday lives, and I’m honored to carry on the tradition.” He now announces more than 100 professional rodeos annually.

Bear Creek Band

SPONSORED BY CELLULARONE

Fans at both Spooner Rodeo and Spooner Bulls & Barrels can treat their ears and feet to the formidable beat of the Bear Creek Band in 2007. Each night after the rodeo, the BCB - Barry, Dan, Dave and Richie - will set up at the Lions Club food and refreshment shelter to play some of the best band and party music around.

Their versatile vocal styles and musical talents have made BCB a force in Midwest music since the band formed in 1990. But they have performed far and wide. From the East to the West they have performed at fairs, festivals, celebrations, events, hotels and casinos. They have been playing the opening act for more than 80 county music stars, such as Brooks & Dunn, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, the late Tammy Wynette, and the Dixie Chicks.

During Bear Creek Band’s 2006-2007 tour, they’ll travel to Iowa, South Dakota, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Michigan, playing at festivals, clubs, saloons, lounges, and casinos such as Jackpot Junction at Morton, MN, Treasure Island at Red Wing, MN, Northern Lights in Walker, MN, and Lac Vieux Desert at Watersmeet, MI.

The band’s distinctive sound comes from a blend of Barry and Dave’s guitars plus vocals (baritone and tenor respectively), with Dan’s keyboarding and bass work, and Richie’s staccato drumbeat and vocal harmonies. Their musical talents combine to make the band a crowd-pleasing favorite whose fans keep coming back for more all year and every year.