“BOWLEGGED H” MAGAZINE summer 2013 • Vol. XXI No. 2 • HoustoN lIVestock sHow aNd rodeoTM Summer 2013 INSIDE Volume XXI • No. 2 “Bowlegged H” Magazine is published WHAT’S quarterly by the Houston Livestock FEATURES Show and Rodeo™. Copyright © 2013 MAGAZINE COMMITTEE 2 It’s a Wrap! The 2013 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ concluded Robert Kneppler, Officer in Charge Kenneth C. Moursund Jr., Chairman with more records broken than ever before, including more than 2.5 million visitors to the grounds, 1.3 million Vice Chairmen Samantha Fewox, Copy Editor RodeoHouston® fans and the largest crowd Reliant Katie Lyons, Assignments Editor Stadium has ever seen! Check out the action in this wrap-up Editorial Board of notable events. Becky Lowicki 10 THE COWBOY RIDES AwAY WITH Melissa Manning OUR HEARTS Nan McCreary “The King of Country Music” has come and gone, and Kate Gunn Pagel his 80,020-attendance record left Rodeo fans with mixed Ken Scott emotions. Take a look through this review of George 12 Marshall R. Smith III Todd Zucker Strait’s final performance at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Photographers Lisa Norwood 12 DAY IN THE LIFE Debbie Porter Ever wondered what the chairman of the board does? Lisa Van Etta Here is your chance to find out. We followed R.H. “Steve” Reporters Stevens Jr. throughout one of his busiest — and most Sonya Aston surprising — days of the 2013 Show. Stephanie Earthman Baird TwO DECADES OF STORYTELLING Allyson Bandy 20 Scott Hill Bumgardner “Bowlegged H” Magazine celebrates its 20th year in Brandy Divin anniversary. Take a look back at its history as the official Todd Eudy magazine of the Show. Terrie James Sarah Langlois Brad Levy Lawrence S Levy Elizabeth Martin Gigi Mayorga-Wark Crystal McKeon Wendy McNatt Edward Nawotka Marina Olson Laura Sanders 20 David Simpson MORE Sandra Hollingsworth Smith Gina Steere Lyn Stewart 7 CHAMPION AUCTION BUYERS Amy Tanner Emily Wilkinson 14 RETIRING VICE PRESIDENTS MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS DIVISION 18 OUTGOING COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN Clint Saunders, Managing Director, Communications Betsy Ellison, Coordinator, 2 “BOWLEGGED H” MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2013 • VOL. XXI NO. 2 TM GO GREEN Communications OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEO 21 Lindsay Partridge, Graphic Designer Staff Photographers Cover Francis M. Martin, D.V.M. George Strait Dave Clements Comments and Questions: [email protected] “Bowlegged H” Magazine • SUMMER 2013 SHOW OFFICIALS Chairman of the Board R.H. “Steve” Stevens Jr. Interim President & CEO Leroy Shafer Vice Presidents Roger Bethune Jerry Crews Larry Kerbow Sr. Robert Kneppler Paul F. Lehnhoff E.D. Lester Jeff Lewis, D.D.S. Glenn T. Lilie Michael S. “Mike” McKinney Mark Melton Lynn Nunez Gary E. Parks Tim Ping Dennis Steger FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Jim VanHoozer Joe Van Matre ot in my wildest dreams could I have from this year’s Show, as well as a special Pat Walker imagined the magnitude of success look at a day in my Show schedule. Mike Wells Jr. the Houston Livestock Show and I enjoyed having a Magazine Committee NRodeo™ experienced in 2013. From reporter follow me around on one of my Executive Committee Jim Bloodworth record-shattering total attendance of more memorable days of the year. It also more than 2.5 million fans and the largest Tilman J. Fertitta was a pleasure to learn more about the crowds Reliant Stadium has ever seen for magazine from such a talented reporter Wayne Hollis ANY event, to the millions of dollars spent and to learn that this issue marks the Don D. Jordan on top-notch livestock during our Junior publication’s 20th year anniversary. Jack A. Lyons Market Auctions and the high-flying bids The next step in our 2013 journey Ed McMahon on artwork and wine, this was definitely is to award more than $12 million in Chris Richardson a Show for the record books. Everyone scholarships to deserving and hard- Charles R. “Butch” Robinson involved in this organization — more than working Texas students. This is something John O. Smith 28,000 passionate volunteers, dedicated I look forward to each year, as I am able to Paul G. Somerville staff and generous members — should feel visit with many of these young people and learn about their lives. Some of them have Keith A. Steffek a sense of pride in knowing that you are a part of something that brings joy to so struggled financially and they now have R.H. “Steve” Stevens Jr. many people every year. the opportunity to earn a college degree P. Michael Wells While 2013 was a Show to remember, because of the Show’s generosity… and Lifetime Members of the we also want to thank someone who has because of each of you. Executive Committee been a part of this Rodeo family for many I invite you to follow along with Don A. Buckalew years. Skip Wagner, former Show president us on Facebook and Twitter, and at rodeohouston.com, throughout the summer John Causey and CEO, has started a new chapter in his life as president and CEO of the Texas as we change the lives of students across J.M. “Jim” Clepper A&M University 12th Man Foundation. the state, make decisions about the Show’s John T. Cook We thank Skip for his years of dedication future leadership and direction, and James M. Windham and service to this organization and wish manage with the ever-changing landscape him well during this next adventure. With of our city, county and state. AGRICULTURE this change in leadership, a new door in the Show’s history opens as we conduct an Best, EDUCATION international search to find the best possible ENTERTAINMENT replacement for the position. This issue of “Bowlegged H” Magazine WESTERN HERITAGE includes remarkable numbers and highlights Steve Stevens SUMMER 2013 • WWW.RODEOHOUSTON.COM 1 As the world’s largest livestock show and rodeo, it is no surprise that the Houston Livestock Show and RodeoTM breaks records, but to shatter past numbers as significantly as it did in 2013 is beyond Show officials’ wildest dreams. 2013 RECOSHOWRD-BREAKING YEAR visitors were entertained, setting the 2,506,238 total attendance record for all activities on the grounds. 174,507 visitors set the one-day total attendance record Wrapon Saturday, March 16. 1,308,288 fans enjoyed action-packed rodeo performances and superstars in concert to set the RodeoHouston® paid attendance record. 264,132 people attended the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest to help kick off the Show, Feb. 21 – 23. guests attended the Sunday, March 17, concert-only performance with George Strait, 80,020 Martina McBride and the Randy Rogers Band. It set an all-time paid attendance record for Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo concerts, and for ANY event in Reliant Stadium. Five RODEOHOUSTON performances landed on the list of the Show’s top 20 paid Rodeo attendance records, taking the top five spots: 75,305 March 10, 2013 – Julion Alvarez and Los Invasores de Nuevo Leon 75,242 March 16, 2013 – Luke Bryan 75,238 March 15, 2013 – Blake Shelton 75,217 March 14, 2013 – Pitbull 75,177 March 7, 2013 – Bruno Mars 2 “Bowlegged H” MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2013 SHOW HIGHLIGHTS & NOTABLE NUMBERS Rodeo Rockstar made its second appearance in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo schedule, and boasted more young talent than ever. Nearly 90 music hopefuls uploaded online audition videos through rodeohouston.com and the RodeoHouston Facebook page. An astounding 250,000 public votes determined the Preliminary Round contestants. The preliminary and final rounds, held live during the Show on the Kids Country Stage, resulted in Junior: StarFlight Rocks Youth: Tori McClure winners in two age divisions: Molly and Zoe Flores, 12 and 13, Rosenburg, Texas 18, Tomball, Texas What We Did: What We Ate: 20,000 young cowboys and cowgirls took a turn 150 pounds of chocolate-covered bacon on the pony rides 86,000 baked potatoes 104,000 little farmers visited Fun on the Farm. 76,000 turkey legs 85,000 people visited the petting zoos. 69,000 sausages on a stick 830,000 games were played on the midway. 43,000 hamburgers 95,000 visitors slid down the three giant slides. 115,000 barbecue sandwiches 82,000 visitors took a spin on a Ferris wheel. 40,000 tamales 71,000 people viewed the park from the skyride. 40,000 slices of pizza 50,000 people participated in scheduled school 10,500 roasted ears of corn tours and field trips. 13,860 orders of chicken fried bacon 18,000 quesadillas 21,000 tacos 15,000 fried cookie doughs on a stick and cookie doughs dipped on a stick 16,965 fried seafood baskets 28,000 cinnamon rolls In the Texas Farm Bureau 35,000 burritos AGventure Birthing Center, 1,000 orders of frog legs 61 piglets, 24 lambs and 15 calves were born during the Show. In The combined total of the Show’s and entertainers’ the Poultry Exhibit, more than 600 merchandise sales reached more than $2.4 million in chicks hatched. 2013, up by 15 percent from 2012. ONLINE & SOCIAL MEDIA » Since Jan. 1, 2013, the Show’s social December 2012, for a total of To watch, visit: media outlets have seen significant 30,153 followers. www.youtube.com/rodeohouston growth in followers. » The Harlem Shake dance video craze » For the 2013 Show, a new website » Facebook likes increased by 84,894 took the social media world by storm, design and system was launched in since April 2012, for a total of and when RodeoHouston created its October 2012. Since the announcement 316,983 fans. own version, it, too, gave nationwide of entertainers on Jan.