Yerigan, Kenyon will join forces to announce the action in Gooding

GOODING, Idaho – The eloquence of Steve Kenyon’s voice has reigned over the Gooding Pro Rodeo for more than two decades.

His calls as the event’s emcee are as iconic as the rodeo itself. He’s been “Beer Worthy” since the vibrant signs were first introduced. Kenyon has watched this small-town affair become a major player in ProRodeo, which is why he’s supporting an enhanced sound starting this year.

Organizers are increasing the melody to the action with the addition of Garrett Yerigan, an Oklahoma-born play-caller and two-time PRCA Announcer of the Year who will be on hand for this year’s Gooding Pro Rodeo presented by Idaho Ford Dealers, set for Thursday, Aug. 14-Saturday, Aug. 16, with a special “Beauty and the Beast” performance set for Wednesday, Aug. 13. All performances take place at 8 p.m. at Andy James Arena.

“I’ve heard lots of great things about Gooding from my friends,” he said. “They have raved about that rodeo. The Cowboy Channel’s Katy Lucus fell in love with the place.

“It’s got its own celebrity status of being the ‘Beer Worthy’ rodeo. It’s unique, and just listening to my friends talk about a small-town community that comes together for four big nights of rodeo makes it special. It embodies the American spirit and the Western culture, and it sounds like the perfect mixture.”

It is, and it’s an experience unlike any other. Just ask Kenyon.

“Garrett has announced some big rodeos,” he said, referring to Yerigan’s work in Fort Worth, Texas; Cheyenne, Wyoming, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; The American in Arlington, Texas; and a host of others. “But the crowd in Gooding is its own special animal. You’ve got a little town that puts more people in the stands over four days than actually live in the county.

“That crowd takes on a light and an energy of its own. Gooding is famous for that. Gooding is famous for not just having the crazy people that put up the ‘Beer Worthy’ signs but for a crowd that just takes off on its own. Could you imagine how loud that place would be if it had twice the seating it’s got?”

Kenyon is right. The aura that surrounds the Gooding County Fairgrounds has a dose of electricity, which stirs the energy. It’s exuded into the playing field, and the results are most often fast times and high scores.

“The cool thing about the Gooding Pro Rodeo is you’ve got this very intimate setting, where the crowd is right on top of the rodeo,” Kenyon said. “At no point, if you’re in the audience, are you more than 50 feet away from the arena. At no point around that arena are you detached from the action. You’re right on top of it wherever you are.

“It’s one of the most enthusiastic, lively, just unbelievable audiences that we have to work with in front of anywhere in the sport of rodeo. As many big crowds and as much noise as Garrett has heard in his career, he’s going to notice right away the energy, the exuberance, the knowledge that crowd brings to the rodeo.”

It’s a sight that needs to be seen and an atmosphere that must be felt to completely understand.

“I think Garrett will be blown away the first night and enjoy the hell out o fit after that,” said Don Gill, the fair and rodeo’s manager.

Every word spoken invigorates Yerigan. By joining forces with Kenyon, he will match talents and expertise in presenting the action to the thousands in the stands at Gooding and the hundreds of thousands who will watch live on The Cowboy Channel. The two have worked in tandem before; in fact, they’ll work together in Hermiston, Oregon, the week prior to arriving in southern Idaho.

“We will just convoy from Hermiston to Gooding, so we’ll be in sync, in tune and ready to rock ’n’ roll when we get there,” Yerigan said. “I’m happy to join the band. and hopefully I can lend some help where needed.

“I’ve just got to keep up with that crowd. I’m excited to go to a place where the fans lead me to it. I love having fun. I love being entertained, and if you can sit there and laugh along with the people and genuinely be entertained by them, I think it’s something that is very unique. What excites me most about coming to Gooding is experiencing the fans.”