The Voice of Rodeo

The gritty voice of rodeo announcer Bob Tallman, can energize an audience simply with the turn of a phrase or by sharing a heartwarming story.

The gritty voice of rodeo announcer Bob Tallman, 57, can energize an audience simply with the turn of a phrase or by sharing a heartwarming story. After 35 years on the job, he has a voice that’s as familiar to rodeo fans as a pair of well-worn boots.

"He’s the greatest announcer that ever lived," says rodeo producer Bob Thain of Alturas, Calif. "He’s just got a God-given talent."

Tallman, of Weatherford, Texas (pop. 19,800), is on the road 270 days a year announcing everything from small, two-day events to the National Finals Rodeo (NFR), held each December in Las Vegas.

In fact, Tallman has announced the NFR a total of 18 times and a record-setting 10 consecutive years, and although he doesn’t like awards or recognition, most would agree no one can match Tallman’s ability to bring a rodeo to life.

"Most announcers inform, but Bob paints a picture with words," says Boyd Polhamus of Brenham, Texas (pop. 13,507), a friend and fellow rodeo announcer. "He also reshaped the profession by bringing the play-by-play aspect to rodeo."

Polhamus says Tallman gave announcers the license to commentate more, yet those comments most often are reserved to "cheerlead" competitors, not criticize their performance or a judge’s decision. Tallman often cheers, "Hang on, cowboy!" or "C’mon, let’s give this guy a hand," following a competitor’s rough ride.

Before Tallman entered the profession, announcers stuck to the basics—name of competitor, hometown and name of animal—but Tallman has a unique way of telling stories that endear cowboys to an audience.

At a Dallas rodeo last year, Tallman made sure the crowd knew that roping champion Fred Whitfield recently flew home to celebrate his daughter’s first birthday, even though Whitfield only had 48 hours between his second and third rounds of competition.

"Now that’s what’s really important in life," Tallman says.

In 2004, his contributions to rodeo landed him in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colo.

"I would have much rather been there to present to someone else," he says. "I’m a better giver than receiver. But the greatest part of this was my parents were there to see it."

John and Irene Tallman raised their son on a ranch in Orovada, Nev. (pop. 597), but when he was 11, they moved the family to Winnemucca, Nev. (pop. 7,174).

"I was never very good at sports, but I could ride a bucking horse or ride a horse and rope, those kinds of things," he says. "Then I found out you have to dedicate your whole life to being a champion. So I thought I haven’t got that strong a constitution; I’ll just talk about it."

Tallman, even with no formal training, announced his first rodeo in 1970, an amateur event in Winnemucca. Five years later, he was announcing his first NFR.

Tallman says he "gives the Lord all the credit" for his success, and as a way to share his blessings with others, he established Bob Tallman’s Charities in 2000. The foundation raises about $40,000 to $50,000 annually to be split between the pediatric program at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund, an organization that gives financial assistance to families of professional rodeo athletes who have suffered catastrophic injuries.

Back home in Weatherford, he and his wife, Kristen, have a ranch where they raise rodeo stock and commercial cattle with their daughter and son-in-law, Nicole and Daniel Pennell. Tallman admits that "dirt and cattle" are his real love, but he’s not ready to put down the microphone just yet.

"If I can reach people in one form, fashion or another, I can bring peace to them in God’s manner, even if just for a moment," he says. "Maybe I can reach them with just a few words."

For more information, log on to www.bobtallman.com.

Kristen Tribe is a freelance writer in Decatur, Texas.

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