The format for professional rodeo hasn’t changed too much since the first organized “cowboy tournament” in Prescott, Arizona on July 4, 1888.
But a lot will be different at Kid Rock’s Rock N Rodeo on May 17 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas competing for a $1-million purse in opening the biggest weekend in Western sports ahead of PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast Championship.
In addition to an all-out music infusion, including a performance by Kid Rock, rodeo athletes will be joining six teams coached by a half dozen legends in rodeo.
In another first, every discipline – barrel racing, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, team roping, steer wrestling, and breakaway roping – will compete at the same time on the dirt in a tournament-style bracket for the million-dollar purse. Think NHRA drag racing for the timed events.
As for the teams, their six coaches and fun names are being revealed at a star-studded event tonight at the House of Blues Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay.
Trevor Brazile, Charmayne James, Bobby Mote, Cody Ohl, Sid Steiner and Fred Whitfield will helm the six squads set to take over the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys the day before the PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast – Championship.
These six coaches are a formidable group of winners. They’ve earned 56 PRCA world titles, more than 30 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo aggregate titles, and collectively qualified for the WNFR 100 times.
They’ll lead the following teams each named for a classic song selected by Kid Rock: Low Riders, Misty Mountain Hop, Free Riders, Convoy, Jokers, and Sledge Hammers.
With the coaches and teams named, next comes the formation of the six squads.
Five of the six teams will draft their team members. The final team will come together through a qualifying format conducted by the WCRA. Both the teams draft and qualifying format will be announced separately, according to PBR.
“We’re planning for fans a sports and entertainment experience like no other,” said Sean Gleason, CEO and Commissioner, PBR. “The Kid Rock’s Rock N’ Rodeo is a new mash-up of rodeo and rock and roll: an all-American, patriotic, competitive Western sporting event where the best rodeo athletes in the world join teams for competition on the dirt that rocks as hard as the music surrounding it.”
The all-star rodeo team competition and upbeat production will be patterned after the successful formula PBR brought to bull riding through the Teams league launched in 2022.
Each competing team will be comprised of two barrel racers, bareback riders, saddle bronc riders, tie-down ropers, team ropers (headers), team ropers (heelers), steer wrestlers, and breakaway ropers, rotating though the starting position.
Kid Rock’s Rock N Rodeo begins at 7:45 p.m. CT on Friday, May 17. Following the can’t-miss rodeo, the 2024 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast concludes with the Championship when the 2024 PBR World Champion will be crowned, and presented the coveted gold buckle and $1 million bonus. The 2024 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast – Championship begins on Saturday, May 18 at 7:45 p.m. CT and concludes on Sunday, May 19 at 1:45 p.m. CT.
Coach and Team pairings for the inaugural Kid Rock’s Rock N Rodeo
Trevor Brazile – Low Riders
Charmayne James – Misty Mountain Hop
Bobby Mote – Free Riders
Cody Ohl – Convoy
Sid Steiner – Jokers
Fred Whitfield – Sledge Hammers
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!