Zane Williams
December 27, 2010Colonels finding more balance in non-conference schedule
December 29, 2010
Imagine this for a Saturday night in the Tri-parish area. There’s motivational music playing in the background, getting a rise out of a sold-out and rowdy crowd at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center.
On the ground level, young and ambitious cowboys are hanging on for life to a snarling and ferocious bull, trying their best to win bragging rights n and a bundle of cash as first prize.
In between rides, rodeo clowns perform for the audience n an act that is nothing short of stand-up comedy.
If this appeals to you, then book your ticket to Jan. 29’s 10th Annual Fear No Evil Bull Riding Challenge.
The event will begin at 6 p.m. with a kid’s pre show party before making way for the rodeo at 7:30 p.m.
According to longtime announcer Kevin Murray, plenty of fun is to be had for anyone in attendance.
“Don’t miss the Fear No Evil Bull Ride,” Murray said. “As the old saying goes, this is the greatest show on dirt and there’s going to be something for the entire family. It’s going to be for the young, for the old and I promise you won’t be embarrassed by what you see there or what you hear there. It’s truly going to be a great night of fun.”
Murray is one of the many attractions for this year’s event.
The longtime rodeo voice will appear in the Houma area for the first time in his announcing career.
Anyone not familiar with Murray’s style is in for a treat as he said he does his best to keep the crowd on their toes and have a good time.
“For me, one of my goals in life is to help bring a lot of joy and fun to families,” Murray said. “That’s what I get my adrenaline from. When I see that kid in the bleachers or when I see a family up there that’s laughing and having a good time, standing on their feet, that’s what pumps me up. That’s a 92-point ride for me. If I see those fans on their feet having a good time and dancing for the music, then that’s when I’ve scored well.”
Murray will have plenty of help getting the crowd involved this year from some of the most ambitious cowboys in the southern states.
Sponsors for Fear No Evil have recently raised the event’s purse by more than $5,000, which Murray expects to raise the competition and also the level of entertainment.
“There’s going to be a lot of competitors who are going to drive a long ways for an extra $5,000,” Murray said. “That’s the name of the game is winning money. When you add $5,000 to an event, the promoters are to be commended.”
While the riders themselves will put on a show, there will also be quite a show in between rides.
Famous rodeo clown Brad Hair will also be performing.
He’ll bring his famous acts like the exploding outhouse, gorilla in a cage, chicken cannon and his one-of-a-kind bucking car.
Like Murray, Hair will also be making his first appearance in Houma and said he’s excited for the show.
“I can’t wait,” Hair said. “I’ve wanted to go down there for a really long time, so we’ve very much looking forward to the show.”
In any rodeo, there’s downtime between getting each bull into and out of the shoot, while also making sure the previous rider is taken out safely.
But don’t expect any breaks in the action with Hair around, who uses that downtime to shine, putting on several acts that will keep the audience laughing throughout the night.
“Making the fans laugh, that’s my job,” Hair said. “Putting smiles on faces. If I can do that, I’m happy. That’s what I do. Those young guys, the bullfighters, they are the ones doing all the risky work. I do the comedy.”
While comedy is one thing, Hair is sometimes in harm’s way, as well. He said he’s broken bones and gotten battered and bruised several times throughout his career.
While some might become gun shy or hesitant to compete after becoming injured, that’s not Hair, who said he encourages everyone to come out to Houma and see him practice his trade.
According to him, it is fan involvement that makes bull riding one of the best sports in the world.
“If you can make some people smile and have a good time and everybody leave the building going, ‘Man, that was a lot of fun,’ then hey, getting beat up here and there isn’t all that bad,” Hair said.
Tickets for the show range from $15-24 and can be purchased at the Civic Center’s box office or through TicketMaster.
According to what Murray’s hearing, those interested better act now or miss out on a great night.
“It’s probably going to sell out,” he said. “You don’t want to be that person who wanted to go, but ended up having to miss out.”
