Harrison Will Bring Funny to Duncan
DUNCAN, Okla. – John Harrison comes from a gold buckle heritage, and he carries on in the rodeo industry in his own award-winning ways.
Harrison is a rodeo clown and entertainer from Soper, Okla. Each of the past two years, he was recognized as the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s Comedy Act of the Year.
John Harrison
He will bring that hilarity with him to the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20-Saturday, Oct. 22, at the Stephens County Arena in Duncan. Not only will he entertain the crowd, but also he will serve as the rodeo’s barrelman during bull riding.
Both aspects of Harrison’s persona are something he enjoys, and he takes great pride in having served as the NFR barrelman in 2013 and ’15.
“It’s an awesome feeling for me and my family because it’s a position that’s voted on by your peers,” said Harrison of Soper, Okla. “You feel it’s something you deserve. I’m tickled to death I got it.”
He grew up around rodeo. He is the grandson of Freckles Brown, the 1962 world champion bull rider, and he spent a number of years as a trick rider, performing incredible acts while horseback.
“As a trick rider, I got to perform at the NFR three other times,” he said. “To be there every night and be part of the NFR personnel was just amazing.”
He has carried his trick-riding abilities over, and it’s a big part of the comedy that Harrison delivers. That’s the key reaching fans with a variety of entertaining items. Whether it’s a trick riding display that will leave fans in awe or his parody of rodeo queens, Harrison has a lot of ammunition in his bag.
“I do this for the love of the sport,” Harrison said. “Growing up with it, you enjoy it. Now I can actually make a living at it, so that helps.”
It’s going to be an attractive feature for anyone who likes a good laugh while also witnessing one of the greatest championship rodeos in the region.
“We have been trying to get John to Duncan for the circuit finals for several years, and we’re tickled to have him coming this year,” said Joe Henderson, chairman of the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo committee. “His act is something I think everyone should see. He’s funny, and he understands the timing that comes with a rodeo.
“He has a way to make everyone feel comfortable and enjoy the show. That’s what people around here deserve, and it’s why we’ve wanted him to come to Duncan for some time.”
While family is a big part of who Harrison is, he realizes that rodeo serves as a foster family of sorts.
“The friends and the ‘family’ you meet on the road is a big deal for us,” he said. “Plus if it wasn’t fun, I wouldn’t do it.”
Courtesy of twisTEDrodeo.com