ProRodeo Sports News - May 15, 2020

PRORODEO MUSIC DIRECTORS

BY MATT NABER B randon Milburn was working with Andy Seiler and Matt Tarr at the Kimball (Neb.) Banner Fair and Rodeo when his most memorable rodeo moment occurred. And Taylor Swift was a part of it. During the rodeo, Milburn, a PRCA music director, Seiler, an announcer, and Tarr, a barrelman, were in the arena in a circle. The crowd was watching the interaction. Photo courtesy Josh “Hambone” Hilton PRCA music director Josh “Hambone” Hilton keeps an eye on every aspect of the rodeo, including the fans’ enthusiasm, so that he can select the perfect music for the moment. Bringing Boom THE Music producers create soundtracks to competition

started out as a DJ in college for dances and proms, but working at rodeos was always her goal. “I was a stock contractor’s daughter, and you always find a role at the rodeo helping your parents,” Franzen Loden said. “About 20 years ago the music director didn’t show up, and Mom was like, ‘Jill can do it.’ I was terrified.” Meanwhile, Milburn broke into music production in a more literal sense when he broke his left arm and right leg while bullfighting at a non- PRCA sanctioned rodeo inWyoming in 2013. “They showed me how to turn everything on and said, ‘Have at it, good luck,’” Milburn laughed. “I was a completely nervous wreck.” Now it’s second nature, like an orchestra conductor guiding the audio half of the ProRodeo experience. READING THE CROWD “When the chute opens, I go off the energy of the ride and the scores,” Franzen Loden said. “If my crowd feels distant, I need to bring them

“We were bantering and making fun of each other in a circle for the fans, and I played Taylor Swift’s song, ‘Shake It Off.’ Andy’s horse shook and he (Andy) dropped his mic and clipboard,” Milburn laughed. “I couldn’t have timed it any better, it was fate.” The music that’s played at a rodeo can make or break the experience for fans and contestants. All of it’s done in the moment. Aside from the pre-show, opening ceremonies and specialty acts, there’s no predictability so there’s no script. “I always say you’re a soundtrack to the production,” PRCAmusic director Josh “Hambone” Hilton said. “You can intensify a moment. You can pump it up or slow it down, it’s like the oil to the engine and gets things moving fluidly.” Hambone got his start on an alternative rock station near Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Omaha, Neb., and transitioned into rodeo through his friendship with the Cervi family in 2006. Two years later he was working the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo in Denver. PRCAmusic director Jill Franzen Loden grew up around rodeo and

ProRodeo Sports News 5/15/2020

ProRodeo.com

32