Sisters Rodeo 2008Rowdy Barry

JJ Harrison, Rodeo Clown — JJ Harrison celebrated the honor of being the bullfighter/clown at Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 2012. Other PRCA bullfighters vote for this selection. When he learned he was hired, one of his first calls was to Sisters Rodeo President Glenn Miller. Sisters Rodeo was JJ’s first contract in the PRCA, and he wanted to express his gratitude.

“In an arena, there is no lagtime, no downtime, with JJ there,” said Sisters Arena Director John Leavitt. “That’s a big part of his job, and nobody does it better.”

A former school teacher himself, Harrison has learned that you can accomplish much with wit, humor and antics. His rodeo act is a high-energy family routine that’s fun for all ages, and he keeps the fans entertained with no break in his action.

“It’s not an act; it really is just who I am. And I’ll never miss Sisters,” he says with a big smile.

Along with his 2012 NFR honors, JJ has been named the 2005 and 2006 NPRA Barrelman of the Year along with being selected to work the Pro-West finals in 2005. He was their Specialty Act of the Year in 2006.

Rowdy Barry, Bullfighter — Rowdy Barry is a cowboy with many faces and many careers. Sisters has enjoyed his professional work for 21 years.

The Washington rancher is also a painter and sculptor, whose works are now among the most collectible in Western art. He has been the artist behind two Sisters Rodeo posters. Barry began bullfighting when he was 14. “I enjoy what I do, and I take it to heart,” he says, always ready to go to work.

Barry has twice been recognized as the Wrangler Bullfighting Champion in the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo, and in 1992, competed in the National Finals Rodeo (NFR). In 1999, he was voted by the bullriders of the PRCA to protect them at the NFR, and in 2000, he was chosen as an alternate at the event.

You always know Barry in the rodeo arena because he has a fetish for red-striped socks to dress up his white shirt.

Danny Newman, Bullfighter — This year, bullfighter “Dangerous” Danny Newman is making his ninth visit to the Sisters Rodeo to help in the protecting of performers. He first appeared in the Sisters Rodeo in 2004.

From Eatonville, Washington, Newman has been a bullfighter since the late 1980s and has performed at a number of prestigious rodeos. In 1992, Newman was the NPRA Bullfighter of the Year. He joined the PRCA in 1990 at the age of 20 and has since worked in rodeos across the country.

From 1993 to 2000, Newman was a top-10 performer on the Wrangler Bullfight Tour. He has made nine appearances in the National High School Rodeo Finals and five appearances at the Columbia River Circuit Finals. He was also twice crowned the champion of the Cowboy Safety Competition.

Curt Robinson, Announcer — Curt Robinson has been announcing at Sisters Rodeo for 22 years. He is part of our rodeo family. He doesn’t just work here; he drives from his home in Pendleton for nearly every special event that the rodeo membership holds. His is appreciated as both a professional and friend.

Robinson has been announcing rodeos for more than 30 years. He brings a mastery of statistics and history to the sport that is greatly appreciated by cowboys and cowgirls, whose stats and personal stories are shared with a rodeo crowd. Fans also appreciate learning more, and Curt never lets them down.

He has worked National Finals Steer Roping more than a dozen times, Women’s National Finals Rodeos and College National Finals Rodeo. He is part of the ESPN broadcast news crew at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas and reports on the PRCA Hotline.

He is a standard in the Columbia River Circuit and many other rodeo circuits in the west, southwest and Texas.

Wayne Brooks, Announcer — Wayne Brooks has a smooth voice that resonates in the stands as he announces from horseback. Brooks was PRCA Announcer of the Year in 2005, 2010 and 2013. He has a knack for making the fans in the stands part of the rodeo by taking time to talk with them and get their opinions (which sometimes conflict with the judges’ opinions). It’s all done in the spirit of a good time.

As a former contestant, Brooks has a great sense of how competitors feel and is able to share that with his audience. He is also quick to support judges in their scores, demonstrating competitor errors on instant replay.

He has worked the Calgary Stampede, Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and even the Copenhagen Cup Tour Finale. He travels with his wife, Melanie, and their three children, Taylor, Sheridan and Ace, from Texas to all parts of the continent. The family likes to visit the Oregon coast after their stay in Sisters.