Rodeo favorites earn national awards

Sisters Rodeo announcer Wayne Brooks was chosen the 2014 Announcer of the Year at National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas in early December. This was a back-to-back win for the Texas cowboy professional, who has received the award four times in ten years.

The One Arm Bandit, John Payne, was awarded the 2014 Specialty Act of the Year in the same ceremony. The talented, inventive entertainer has received that honor 12 times. He has become a worldwide legend in Western entertainment.

Both professionals will perform at the 75th anniversary of Sisters Rodeo.

"We had The One Arm Bandit as our act at our 70th anniversary celebration," said Sisters Rodeo President Glenn Miller. "He remains the most popular act we've ever presented, and was our first choice for this big year. We're very happy he accepted our invitation."

Payne works from a horse while his cur dogs assist in herding buffalo or cattle into most unusual targets, from traversing obstacles to the top of stock trailers. He brings new material each time he performs, and leaves an audience amazed.

Brooks' ability to bring a crowd into the action with his voice of velvet has had him in demand since he stopped being a contestant and became an announcer. The classic nice guy enhances the rodeo experience for everyone.

The popularity of Brooks resulted in his first Announcer of the Year award in 2005. Brooks has been the mounted arena announcer at Sisters for 10 years.

Tickets are now on sale for the 75th anniversary rodeo. Sisters Rodeo will begin June 10 with Xtreme Bulls followed by four rodeo performances June 12-14. For tickets and information, call the ticket hotline at 541-549-0121 or 1-800-827-7522, or visit the ticket office at 220 W. Cascade Ave. in Sisters. For information visit www.sistersrodeo.com.