“BOWLEGGED H” MAGAZINE

SPRING 2014 • VOL. XXII NO. 1 • HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEOTM SPRING 2014 INSIDE Volume XXII • No. 1 “Bowlegged H” Magazine is published WHAT’S quarterly by the Houston Livestock FEATURES Show and Rodeo™. Copyright © 2014 2 ULTIMATE SURVIVAL KIT MAGAZINE COMMITTEE The world’s largest livestock show and most innovative Robert Kneppler, Officer in Charge rodeo is just around the corner! Be sure to check out all of Kenneth C. Moursund Jr., Chairman the essentials you will want to load up on before arriving at Vice Chairmen Reliant Park. Samantha Fewox, Copy Editor 4 TALES FROM THE ROOKIE YEAR Katie Lyons, Assignments Editor With more than 28,500 volunteers, the Houston Livestock Editorial Board Show and Rodeo is a family full of wonderful people from Becky Lowicki Melissa Manning all walks of life! Meet these seven volunteers who are now Nan McCreary entering their second year as volunteers, and find out what Kate Gunn Pagel made their rookie year special! 4 Ken Scott 8 A LOOK INSIDE THE WESTERN ART ROOM Marshall R. Smith III After eight decades, the Show has acquired some pretty Lyn Stewart interesting and historical works of art, photographs, articles Photographers of clothing and so on. Take a look through the room where Lisa Norwood some of the most magical pieces of the Show are stores. We Debbie Porter bet you will be surprised at what you find! Lisa Van Etta 10 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW Reporters 14 Sonya Aston Think you have heard just about every story to come from Stephanie Earthman Baird the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s files? What about Allyson Bandy Lambert where the idea came from to have volunteers? Or, what Scott Hill Bumgardner up-and-coming female singer hit it big right before her Brandy Divin RodeoHouston® concert debut? Read through these “little- Terrie James known” stories told by the Show’s chief operating officer. Sarah Langlois HIDDEN TALENTS PT. 2 Brad Levy 16 Lawrence S Levy The Show is proud to support such dedicated and eager Elizabeth Martin students each year through its scholarship program. Gigi Mayorga-Wark These students, however, boast more than just a great Crystal McKeon aptitude for education. Wendy McNatt 20 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CARNIVAL 8 Marina Olson TICKET SALES COMMITTEE Laura Sanders David Simpson The Carnival Ticket Sales Committee celebrates its 20th Sandra Hollingsworth Smith anniversary in 2014, and, according to its hierarchy, is Gina Steere looking forward to continuing breaking barriers to support Amy Tanner the Show’s mission. Emily Wilkinson Todd Zucker MORE MARKETING, 10 2014 RodeoHouston® PUBLIC RELATIONS & STAR ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTATIONS DIVISION 12 2014 THE HIDEOUT, Clint Saunders, Managing Director, 10 PRESETEND BY NATIONAL Communications “BOWLEGGED H” MAGAZINE Betsy Ellison, Manager, Social Media SPRING 2014 • VOL. XXII NO. 1 • HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEOTM OILWELL VARCO Lindsay Partridge, Graphic Designer ENTERTAINMENT Staff Photographers Cover Francis M. Martin, D.V.M. Luke Bryan 19 THE LEGACY OF JOHN T. COOK III Dave Clements 21 ROCKING THE RODEO RUNWAY Comments and Questions: FASHION SHOW [email protected]

“BOWLEGGED H” MAGAZINE • SPRING 2014 SHOW OFFICIALS Chairman of the Board R.H. “Steve” Stevens Jr. Chairman-elect of the Board Jack A. Lyons President & CEO Joel Cowley Vice President & COO Leroy Shafer General Manager Joe Bruce Hancock Vice Presidents Roger Bethune Jim Brock Jerry Crews Jeff Harris Jeff M. Jones Larry Kerbow Sr. Robert Kneppler Jeff Lewis, D.D.S. Glenn T. Lilie from the CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Mark Melton Lynn Nunez t’s hard to believe we’re in the final stages Texas exhibit, which takes patrons on a journey Gary E. Parks of preparing for the 2014 Show. It seems through different areas of our wonderful Wesley Sinor like just yesterday that we reported on state and explains each one’s contribution to Dennis Steger Iour record-breaking 2013 Show. And agriculture. Also new for 2014 is the Beef – Joe Van Matre now, just weeks away from this year’s event, From Pasture to Plate display, which explains Sharleen L. Walkoviak I want to share with you my excitement about all of the different cuts of meat from beef cattle, Mike Wells Jr. what’s in store. how to handle them properly and the best David B. Yates After working many long hours, sometimes way to serve them as a meal. Throughout the Executive Committee even around the clock, our volunteers and lobby of Reliant Center, you’ll find some new Jim Bloodworth staff are putting together the final pieces of our (but old) items showcased in a museum-style Brady F. Carruth Show puzzle for our three-week run. And, I am display detailing the Show’s rich history. Tilman J. Fertitta confident the efforts of our team will result in I want to take a moment to honor my fellow Wayne Hollis the best Show yet! Executive Committee member and friend, whom we lost in early December, John. T. Cook Don D. Jordan The 2014 lineup is outstanding, with nearly III. John’s passion for the Houston Livestock Jack A. Lyons every genre of music represented. Excitement Show and Rodeo, combined with his business Ed McMahon surrounding the entertainer announcement was background and keen interest in horses, cattle Chris Richardson bigger than ever, and with the help of The Band and ranching, made him an all-around Show Charles R. “Butch” Robinson Perry, the Show released a “top secret” video leader who will be greatly missed. Our thoughts John O. Smith that went viral online, revealing “Houston’s and prayers continue to be with John’s family. Paul G. Somerville biggest secret.” The video post received more than 12,000 “likes” on Facebook and 2,200 This will mark my final Show as chairman Keith A. Steffek of the board, a title and honor I have been R. H. “Steve” Stevens Jr. shares on Twitter. Since its release, more than 62,000 people have watched the exciting privileged to hold for three years. I cannot P. Michael Wells thank my fellow Executive Committee James A. “Jim” Winne III video. If you haven’t seen it yet, find it online on RodeoHouston®’s YouTube channel. You members, Show officers, directors, volunteers Lifetime Members of the might even see some familiar faces making their and staff enough for the memories I have made Executive Committee acting debut! during my tenure as chairman. It has been an Don A. Buckalew Our web content on announcement day also experience I will not soon forget. John Causey was impressive, as nearly 250,000 people visited I look forward to seeing everyone out on J.M. “Jim” Clepper rodeohouston.com, 58 percent of which were the grounds. Please be sure to stop and say James M. Windham first-time viewers. hello if you see Kay or me. And with that, let’s With the Show’s strong emphasis on RodeoHouston! AGRICULTURE education, it’s fitting that this year’s event will Best, EDUCATION feature several new educational exhibits. A few highlights include the We’re Small Y’all Barn in ENTERTAINMENT AGventure, which will house different types WESTERN HERITAGE of miniature livestock, as well as the Tour of Steve Stevens

SPRING 2014 • WWW.RODEOHOUSTON.COM 1 The Ultimate Houston Livestock Show and RodeoTM SURVIVAL

By ELIZABETH MARTIN KIT

Mark your calendar to attend the 2014 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, but bring more than just your excitement with you. No matter what you have planned for the day — the carnival, Kids Country, the livestock and horse shows — we have compiled a list of key items you will not want to forget.

This mobile app is an absolute must have! Download it from the iTunes® or Google Play (Android® devices) stores before you arrive to access RodeoHouston® parking maps — including real-time parking lot availabilities — grounds maps, shopping and dining information, the full daily schedule and Mobile App entertainer lineup, RodeoHouston Radio, and more. Visit rodeohouston.com for details.

Trust us, you are going to want to capture the memories o