JJ Harrison
JJ Harrison rodeo clown
How long have you been a rodeo clown? "I started my first job in 2005, that was my first season doing amateur rodeo, doing the NPRA, I did a lot of rodeos, I honed in on what my nitch was going, what was going to be my thing to make me different. I bought my prca card in 2007. You do a few rodeos one year, and it doubles. In 2008, I decided to walk away from teaching school, I was a school teacher 8 years. I taught middle school, as a science teacher".
What was your first rodeo? "It was a bull riding in Vancouver, for Pat Beard. They hired me, they said "be goofy" and I said, "I am not a rodeo clown" and then he hired me for Toppenish PRCA pow wow and rodeo. From then on it was something I considered doing and it worked out pretty good.
Which has been your most favorite rodeo? For 2013,
You know that’s a tough thing, each rodeo is special. Sister’s Oregon, they are the first rodeo that gave me a chance. They told me they change their clown every year and this will be my 8th rodeo with them in 2014".
Where do you buy your make up? "I get my make up from a product named Ben Nye, which has mouisterizing quality, Aveeno is kept handy to keep my face moiurized. I’m naturally good looking so I have to take care of my skin (he say's in a joking tone, typical JJ Harrison comedy). I have Denver coming up and after so many rodeos my face dries up.
Do you use any special moisturizers or facial products to keep your face in good shape after wearing make up all day? "Aveeno, any kind of moisturizer".
811- what happens when you call? "A lot of barrelmen do Coors, I will not take a dime from Alcohol. They are a national campaign for safety, they come out and do a locate for you. Even if you are digging for a mail box. It’s a national program and they come out, and it’s a free call that can save your life".
"Call 811 so you don’t have to call 911. They have been tremendous to me. It’s a campaign, it’s a partnership".
How did you come up with the rodeo queen outfit? "I found the outfits at K-mart, I started with a sumo suit, I danced in it and got a good reaction. I became the inflatable suit guy, ninja, fat suit, heavy set ballerina. Ended up climbing on a horse. I am not a big 15 minute type of guy, I like the 5 minute fillers".
What advice would you tell a kid who wants to be a rodeo clown, say he or she wants to work pee wee or junior rodeo events? "Be yourself, do not come and watch me, and do what I do. You’re not getting jobs by acting yourself".
How would they get started? "Contacting a stock contractor, who brings the animals to the event".
What does 2014 look like for you? I will be working the PRS, and you will see me at the big rodeos in 2014. Coming up next month, I will be working the 2014 Denver Stock Show and Rodeo".
“I appreciate the time Indian Rodeo News has taken to interview me. I am a big fan of your magazine.”
Tell us your feelings the first time you walked out into the arena to perform at your first round of the 2012 NFR?
You work you whole life getting to the superbowl if you’re a NFL quarter back, it’s like walking out on to the field of the superbowl. It wasn’t just about me, it was all about all those rodeos I went to along the way, my sponsors and people who got me there. I would not have gotten to the NFR if it wasn’t for friends, and family and sponsors.
