2023 PRCA Media Guide - All Chapters

2022 NATIONAL FINALS STEER ROPING ANNOUNCERS

PRCA ANNOUNCERS

PRCA announcers deliver commentary throughout the rodeo to acquaint the audience with the contestants and educate fans about competition rules. The announcer’s enthusiastic play-by-play and wealth of insider information connect the fans to the exciting sport they came to watch. This chapter provides information about members who were insured and qualified PRCA announcers as of March 17, 2021.

Charlie Throckmorton In 2022, CharlieThrockmorton announced at his 21st National Finals Steer Roping and first since 2019. A PRCA member since 1987, he announced a record - 19 consecutive times at the NFSR, calling the action on several thousand runs in steer roping. Throckmorton is considered as a repository of rodeo history and knowledge, even among his fellow Gold Card members. Over time, Throckmorton has witnessed just about every record set at the NFSR, such as most money won, fastest times in the arena and best average. He has seen first-hand historic title races such as the 1990 race when Phil Lyne won the world title and in 2005 - the tightest race in ProRodeo history - when Scott Snedecor won the world championship by a $1.67 over Guy Allen. Throckmorton remembers,“You could

ANNOUNCERS

Allen, Scott PRCA MEMBERSHIP: 2016. RESIDENCE: Minidoka, Idaho. BORN: Sept. 17, 1963. Derek Barton PRCA MEMBERSHIP: 2001, Gold Card. ACHIEVEMENTS: PRCA Media Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism for “Talk Rodeo,” 2010; 2020 National Finals Steer Roping Music Director; NFR Media Room 2006-2020, Mountain States Circuit Finals Steer Roping Announcer 2009-2012/ Music Director 2011-2016; National Circuit Finals Steer Roping (Torrington, Wyo.), Music Director, 2010 16; voice-over for National Little Britches Finals Rodeo TV Show on RFD-TV 2016-2019; Sound and Music Director “Comedy Rodeo Style with Gizmo McCracken and Doug Mathis” during Wrangler National Finals Rodeo 2016-2019; Broadcaster of 2008 Wrangler NFR/Pro Rodeo Live (internet and radio); Thermopolis (Wyo.) Cowboy Rendezvous PRCA Rodeo 2009-2020; XIT Rodeo and Reunion (Dalhart, Texas), 2016-2020; Heart of the North Rodeo (Spooner, Wis.)2018-20; Wapello (Wis.) PRCA Rodeo, 2019-2020; Kit Carson County PRCA Rodeo (Burlington, Colo.), 2010-2020; RAM Mountain States Circuit Finals Steer Roping, announcer-2009-12, Music Director, 2011-16; (Perry) Georgia National Stock Show and PRCA Rodeo, Music Director 2017 19, Cheyenne Wells (Colo.) PRCA Rodeo, 2019; Steamboat Springs (Colo.) PRCA Rodeo Series, Music Director 2019; 4th Annual Riding’ and Riggin’ Days (Craig, Colo.), 2018-2020; Wyoming State Fair PRCA Rodeo, 2010-19; A Tribute to the Great American Cowboy PRCA Rodeo (Casper, Wyo.), 2010-18; NWC College Rodeo (Cody, Wyo.) 2013-18; College National Finals Rodeo Slack, 2008-15; Johnson County Sheriff’s Posse PRCA Rodeo (Cleburne, Texas), 2014-15; Logan County Fair & Rodeo (Sterling, Colo.), 2010-12; Deke Latham Memorial Rodeo (Kaycee, Wyo.), 1995-2008; National Little Britches Finals Rodeo, 2016-18; North Dakota High School Finals Rodeo, 2016-17; South Dakota High School Finals Rodeo, 2016-19. RESIDENCE: Goodwell, Okla. BORN: Sept. 26, 1964. FAMILY: two daughters, three grandsons and two grand daughters. COLLEGE : Sheridan (Wyo.) College. OTHER OCCUPATIONS: owner and producer of radio/Internet show “Talk Rodeo”; Voice of the Aggies for Oklahoma Panhandle State University Athletics; PRCA music director; voice-over emcee and TV-radio host. ADDITIONAL

INTERESTS: golf, music and playing the drums. WEBSITE: www.talkrodeo.org. Brandon Bates PRCA MEMBERSHIP: 2006. RESIDENCE: Winslow, Ariz. BORN: May 10, 1982. Ben Benavides PRCA MEMBERSHIP: 2008. ACHIEVEMENTS: music and/or video production at RAM Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo (Park City, Kan.), 2010; RAM Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo (Kansas City, Mo.), 2007 09; RAM California Circuit Finals Rodeo (Norco, Calif.), 2003-04; Helotes (Texas) PRCA Rodeo, 2001-15; Strawberry Days Rodeo (Pleasant Grove, Utah), 2008-15; Moses Lake (Wash.) Roundup, 2012-15; Kitsap County Fair & Rodeo (Bremerton, Wash.), 2013-15; Twin Falls County Fair & Rodeo (Filer, Idaho), 2013-15; Lewiston (Idaho) Roundup, 2012-15; Rodeo Austin (Austin, Texas), 2011 15; Helldorado Days (Las Vegas, Nev.), 2014-15; Bennington (Kan.) PRCA Rodeo, 2015; Gladewater (Texas) Roundup Rodeo, 2012-15. FAMILY: wife, Jackie; son, Marshall; daughters, Marina and Whitney. COLLEGE: military service and law enforcement training. OTHER OCCUPATION: PRCA music director; audio/video/scoreboard production company; veteran, Texas Army National Guard. ADDITIONAL INTERESTS: motorcycle riding, traveling, Patriot Guard Riders. RESIDENCE: Las Vegas, Nev. BORN: April 10, 1961. WEBSITE: www. HiDefRodeo.com. Benje Bendele PRCA MEMBERSHIP: 1995. ACHIEVEMENTS: music director, Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, 2001-19, 2021-22; San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo music director, 2001-16; served on PRCA Board of Directors, 2010-16, and on the contract personnel executive council,1999-2016; RAM Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo music director, 1999-2008, 2015-16; RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo music director, 1999-2007, 2014-16; RAM First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo announcer, 2003; music director for Caldwell (Idaho) Night Rodeo 2009 16; Snake River Stampede (Nampa, Idaho), 2004 16; San Angelo (Texas) Stock Show and Rodeo, 2005-11; Heartland and All American ProRodeo Finals, Waco, Texas, 2009-16; West of the Pecos Rodeo (Pecos, Texas), announcer, 2000-08, music

hear a pin drop in that 10th round, and everyone was standing.”Throughout award ceremonies over the years, he presented Trevor Brazile, Rocky Patterson and Scott Snedecor their first steer roping gold buckles and presented Guy Allen his 17th world title after he broke Jim Shoulders’ record of 16.

Jody Carper For the fourth consecutive year – his eighth time overall – PRCA announcer Jody Carper took the mic at the National Finals Steer Roping in Mulvane, Kan., in 2022. “It’s a good event and I’m happy to be a part of it,” Carper said. “When you combine the Top 15 in the world at a great facility and with a great crowd, it has to be a dynamic that’s exciting and fun.” Carper joined the PRCA in 1997 and has experience as a PRCA contestant. Before he held his card as an announcer, he competed in calf roping for several years. During his spring run, he met his future wife, Kelli. In 2003, he wrapped up his tie-down roping career with a California Circuit Finals qualification and then shifted his focus to obtaining a PRCA announcer card.

Jody and Kelli have been married since 2005 and reside in Jamul, Calif. Jody announces full-time at rodeos throughout the U.S. and Canada. “I want to see them smile, laugh and have a good time,” he said. “I like to engage the audience with different surveys and ask them different questions. When they loosen up and have fun, I have fun.”

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ANNOUNCERS

2023 PRCA MEDIA GUIDE