Well, another year here and gone for the Billings, Montana, PBR. Now I have to look forward to it for another 363 days.
Once again, the people of Montana (and Wyoming, and South Dakota, and North Dakota, and...) showed that they love the PBR. Three great crowds of energetic, yet bull riding-knowledgable, fans flocked to this weekend's event for a great show. I don't think even the riders understand the dedication the fans show in this part of the country.
Understand, the population of Montana just broke 900,000 in the last census.
That's right East Coasters, not even a million people in the whole state, but we get crowds like that here? It's interesting as I ask people where they are from, I come to realize their commitment. Havre-4 hours. Malta-4 hours. Kalispell-Can't get to Billings from there. Bismarck, ND-5 1/2 hours. Not to mention all the fans from Wyoming.
The point is, this is big country out here, and these people drive a long ways through sometimes poor conditions just to see us. Humbling. It is probably the hardest event I work all year because of the pressure I feel. Many of the people in attendance have watched me perform for years at rodeos all across the region, and they expect nothing but the best.
Sure, the PBR is a whole different kind of show than what I used to do, but hopefully everyone leaves wanting to see more next year.
The riders from the South weren't all that impressed with the weather on Sunday. It snowed outside during the whole show with temperatures in the low 30's, and Billings is one building we work in where the big back door has to remain open throughout the competition. Behind the chutes and on the arena floor the temperature was pretty much the same as outside.
I may get arguments here, but I think some of the riders were affected by it. Riders need to warm up and be loose and ready just like any other athlete, and it looked like some of them were a little tight. I drove home on Sunday night and arrived to 4-foot snow drifts and minus 5 degrees. That's right, April 20...minus 5 degrees! Global warming, anyone?
My family travelled with me to Billings, and the highlight of their weekend (besides Paige's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese's) was riding in the Express Hitch pulled by the Clydesdales into the arena. Shelby had snowballs ready to pelt her dad from the front seat of the wagon, but I was nowhere to be found. She's nine, and definitely her father's daughter.
Every week I want to try to address at least one question I get asked frequently. So this week I want to give an explanation on the after-show autographs in the arena.
The riders in the competition are required to sign after the show, or face a $500 fine. If they suffer some sort of injury, they are exempt. I am not required to sign, but I look at it as an obligation to the fan and try to do it as often as I can. However, I don't always make it. If my kids are with me and waiting backstage, they take priority. Many of the riders feel the same as I do on that one.
The up and coming guys can fly through and be done in a few minutes, but a Ross Coleman, McBride, or Adriano face different circumstances. I have heard fans get pretty rude about this, but please understand, if the guys are not signing, there is a reason. A baby waiting for them means a lot.
Also, on Sunday afternoon shows, many of us have flights to catch to get home that night. If I am not out signing on Sunday, I am headed to the airport. And finally, sometimes I just can't do it.
Frankly, if we just did a live TV Saturday night show, and I have spent 2 and a half hours going strong, I have no fuel in the tank. This doesn't happen often, but my ankles and knees ain't what they used to be, and I would rather not do it than be a grouch. Nobody's looking for sympathy here, but I thought maybe an inside look at things would help explain some questions I get pretty regularly.
My favorite autograph signings are the meet and greets or store appearances. It's more personal, and I know that if a fan waits in line at one of those, then it must mean something to them. Bottom line...I love our fans!
This week's schedule takes me to a Challenger event in Clovis, California, on Thursday night. I choose a few smaller events that mean a lot to me every year to work, and Clovis is one of them. It's on the edge of Fresno, and I used to work the rodeo there, so I have a lot of great fans that come out and support me.
Our PBR kicks off their rodeo weekend, and it is some kind of a fun weekend! Then it is off to Chi-town. We haven't been to Chicago in a couple years, so I am looking forward to putting on a good show for the fans there. I watch the weather channel a lot, so I know the people in Chicago are ready for spring to set in full-time. I know that things will heat up for sure on Saturday night when we kick off another stop on the P-B-R!!
Until next week,
Laugh Always!
Flint
See you in Vegas!!!
Thanks for another great blog (and the explanation about the autographs--sometimes we forget what it might be like for the riders at any given time). I'm glad you and your family had so much fun.
900,000! Gettin' crowded up there. Must be all those Californian's invading! (We seriously considered moving up there, but my wife saw too many Deliverence types on our last trip. Moving to Texas instead. 8-0 )
On the other side of that chilly weather (Com-on everyone that wasn't cold) I drove up to Billings (from San Francisco area) and arrived around noon to what felt like a warm day. After that drive first thing I did was go for a run. On the way back to the hotel I felt a little "funny". Got back to the room and turned on the weather channel. It was 110 degrees. Hmm, no wonder I felt tuckered. The next day it hit 117!!! And at midnight it was still 100 degrees. Now, I had always thought of Montana, since it is north, as a bit cooler. SURPRISE!
Bummer, we'll miss you in Clovis Flint. My wife is from that area and one of our yearlings is down there playing with a bunch of other yearlings. We'll be at the Varian Arabians weekend event just over the hills to the West in Arroyo Grande (San Luis Obispo area).
Cheers, Don
Thank you for insight. Of course as pro athletes with good fans there is some expectation to be accessible. Seems to me, from experience, the PBR celebs are the most accessible pros. That is super cool. We have really been impressed with how approachable and gracious everyone has been. For me, that is one of things that makes Pro Bull Ridiing attractive to me. Real people, doing what they love and understanding that fans are part of that (I have been around celebs and pro athletes all my life and these PBR folks are far and above - the best.)
That said, it is important for us fans to remember they are people too with real lives. Your insight helps keep it all in perspective.
Take care all, Don
We moved down to TN from Mass because I could not take the cold anymore because of back, neck and leg injuries I have in the past. I grew up in an area with lots of damp cold but once you have been injured that cold can be very painful especially if you hav emetal anywhere in your body. I can understand the riders having problems ; and climate or temps can sure affect the bulls.
Flint miss you at rodeos but love seeing you here at PBR events.You are the best.
Glad you echoed what I have written through the years when my readers would complain about certain people not signing. Sometimes too its sponsorship conflicts as having to leave right after the event to get to an after event party and sign there. Sometimes injuries and sometimes family . Fans need to understand and try and get to meet and greets when they have them.