GUY CLIFTON - RODEO

Over the past 30 years, Bob Tallman’s voice has become synonymous with the sport of rodeo.

The Winnemucca native, who now makes his home in Weatherford, Texas, annually announces many of the biggest rodeos in the country, including the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and Reno Rodeo in his home state of Nevada.

He’s also the voice of the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, the Calgary Stampede, the Red Bluff Round-up and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, among others. He announces more than 100 rodeos each year.

This summer, the 56-year-old Tallman will interrupt his announcing duties for a special trip to Colorado Springs, Colo. for his induction into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.

Tallman will join Fred Whitfield of Hockley, Texas; Clint Corey of Powell Butte, Ore.; Tee Woolman of Llano, Texas; Alvin Nelson of Grassy Butte, N.D.; Dr. J. Pat Evans, of Dallas; June Ivory of Pampa, Texas; and the late Asbury Schell of Camp Verde, Ariz. in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame’s Class of 2004.

Outgoing Dallas Morning News executive sports editor Dave Smith of Dallas will also be inducted in the newly created media category.

“It’s pretty awesome,” Tallman said Monday via cell phone from outside Houston, where he is announcing the rodeo this week. “I’m just so happy to have it happen for my mom and dad, that they are both alive to see it. That’s a real honor.”

Tallman’s parents, John and Irene, still live in Winnemucca.

When news of Tallman’s induction came out late last week, his fellow announcer Boyd Polhamus revealed the news in front of a crowd of 72,000 fans at Houston’s Reliant Stadium. The house was packed for both the rodeo and the George Strait concert that followed.

“To have it be announced on that giant television in front of 72,000 was just putting the frosting on the cake,” Tallman said.

Added Polhamus: “And he got a standing ovation.”

This is the latest in a long list of honors for Tallman. He was named the PRCA Announcer of the Year in 1982, 1987, 1997 and 1999-2001. He has been selected to announce the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo a record 17 times.

“I give stuff like that a whole lot easier than I receive it,” Tallman said. “I’ve been so blessed to get to do what I do and it’s just really nice. It means a whole bunch to me.”

BUSH VISITS WORLD CHAMPS: During his visit to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, President George W. Bush met privately with the 2003 ProRodeo world champions and PRCA Commissioner Steven J. Hatchell at Reliant Stadium.

Bush was presented with a Number One back number from the 2003 NFR bearing his name; a black leather bomber jacket and a black Resistol cowboy hat.

“For him to recognize our world champions is very significant. It’s exciting,” Hatchell said.

“He said the sport of rodeo is a good example for the children of the United States,” said world saddle bronc champion Dan Mortensen of Billings, Mont. “I agree with that, I think one of the strongest attributes of rodeo is the values and the traditions. I grew up admiring cowboys. I think it’s kind of neat that I may be influencing some of the kids today.”

PBR UPDATE: Former UNLV standout Justin McBride went wire to wire to capture the Indianapolis Invitational, the latest stop on the Professional Bull Riders Built Ford Tough Series, over the weekend at RCA Dome.

Justin McBride (Elk City, Okla.) outdistanced Brazilian Adriano Moraes (Sao Paulo, Brazil) by 2.5 points to win the title and a paycheck of $57,363.

McBride scored 91.5 points on Mossy Oak Mudslinger to clinch the title.

RHYTHM & RAWHIDE II: Tickets and sponsor packages are on sale for the second annual Rhythm & Rawhide Concert featuring the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, cowboy poet Waddie Mitchell and cowboy singer Don Edwards.

The event, a fund-raiser for the Reno Philharmonic and the Reno Rodeo Foundation (the charitable arm of the Reno Rodeo Association), will be held May 8 at the Reno Hilton Theater.

Along with the music and cowboy poetry, both a live and silent auction will be held featuring such items as western art, trips and travel opportunities.

Individual tickets are $125 for the dinner and concert or $250 for the dinner, concert and pre-event hosted VIP reception.

Several levels of sponsorship are also available ranging from the $1,500 Silver Lariat package to the $10,000 Silver Baron package.

For tickets, call Main Event at 323-2810. For sponsorship information, call the Reno Rodeo Foundation at 851-3505.

Guy Clifton covers rodeo for the Reno Gazette-Journal. He can be reached at (775)788-6337 or gclifton@rgj.com.