ProRodeo Sports News - June 11, 2021

IN THEIR WORDS JUSTIN M C KEE Announcer becomes host of ‘ProRodeo Tonight’ M y announcing schedule had dwindled over the years, and I wasn’t promoting or pushing the last several years. I wanted to stay home. Our only daughter (Kassidy) was high school Announcer Justin McKee thought he was winding down his career in rodeo.

ideas and she makes it happen. She is a star. She was there when we first launched Cowboy Channel full steam with the PRCA contract. It’s kind of crazy how much I enjoy the studio work. I didn’t think I would. I’m not one to be cooped up. I enjoy telling stories so much I don’t mind being stuck in one place. I had a great start in rodeo. Bob Tallman

He was scheduled to announce just a few rodeos every year and would focus on his ranch and cattle operation in Lenapah, Okla. Then The Cowboy Channel came calling. Since, McKee, 52, and his wife, Jeannie, have moved to Texas near Fort Worth so he could become the face of “ProRodeo Tonight” every Saturday on The Cowboy Channel, providing everything on the weekly show about ProRodeo, from in-depth interviews to live look- ins. To hear McKee tell it, it’s one of the best decisions he’s ever made.

rodeoing. She’s in her third year in college now at Tarleton State. But I wanted to be around for her high school rodeoing. A lot of my jobs went away, and I didn’t pursue filling them up. And it’s a good thing because I probably wouldn’t haveThe Cowboy Channel gig if I had a big schedule of rodeos. It’s funny how things have a way of working themselves out. I can remember the first time I came to the Stockyards in Fort Worth. I was in awe of the Exchange Building. I knew every detail about the Stockyards and what it was all about. Now, I’m working in the sale ring at our studio in the old auction ring for the Stockyards. I’ve come full circle. I’m very grateful for (Cowboy Channel owner) Patrick Gottsch coming to me and giving me ‘ProRodeo Tonight.’ He said, “This is the official show of the PRCA, now create it.” I love telling stories that will inspire and encourage people. A lot of our stories we haven’t had time to tell. One of the elements I’mmost proud of has been our legends features. We have people that are the best there has ever been and nobody knows them outside of competition. No one sat down with (ProRodeo Hall of Famer) Ote Berry and told his story. I’m the first guy who gets to do that. That is such an honor, and it’s very exciting because the sky’s the limit. Karlee Peterson is my co-producer. I come up with

was at the top of the list for people who helped me. Clem McSpadden was another I learned so much from. Bronc Rumford taught me more about announcing rodeos than everyone else. I had the opportunity to go to another organization, and I walked away from rodeo. I wasn’t all in, it wasn’t my life. Then I ranched the last 10 years and rodeo wasn’t my life. I didn’t know how much I missed it until now. I didn’t realize how disconnected I was. Now, I am so thankful. I thank God every day that I’m in rodeo. I’m living it every day. This is what I was created for, to be part of this game. TUNE IN ‘ProRodeo Tonight,’ a weekly, one-hour show that touches on all things ProRodeo, airs Saturdays at 7 p.m. (ET). Host JustinMcKee goes in-depth into the sport to bring viewers the stories beyond the arena. Tune in to The Cowboy Channel or online at thecowboychannelplus.com.

ProRodeo Sports News 6/11/2021

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