Meet our Rodeo Personnel
Announcer:
Davie Kimm is a Gold Card member of the professional rodeo cowboys association. Like many rodeo announcers, Davie’s love of rodeo began as a contestant when he joined the Minnesota High School Rodeo Association in the 1980’s. Working both ends of the arena roping calves and riding bareback and saddle bronc horses, he went on to qualify for the National High School Finals Rodeo and later on, the PRCA Great Lakes Circuit Finals 4 times in saddle bronc riding in 1987, ’88, ’89 and ’92.
Along with announcing rodeos Davie also freelances as a commercial voice talent and spokesperson. He is also an endorsee of Wrangler Western Wear, Montana Silversmiths, Resistol Hats, Electro-Voice Microphones, and Prime Performance Nutrition.
His insight as a past contestant and his Midwest work ethic has helped Davie become one of the most exciting and sought after voices in the PRCA. He has been heard at such prestigious events as the Black Hills Stock Show Rodeo, PRCA Xtreme Bulls Tour, and his voice has been heard on ESPN, ESPN2. He worked alongside ESPN sportscaster Jeff Medders during the 2010 Black Hills Stock Show in Rapid City, SD for the inaugural PRCA Extreme Bulls live webcast on ESPN360.
Davie has been recognized along with some of the industry’s elite by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association being named the 2016 W.P.R.A. Announcer of the Year, and has been a Top 5 nominee for W.P.R.A. Announcer of the Year in 2009, 2013 and 2021. He has also announced the W.P.R.A. World Finals in Waco, TX 9 times from 2013-2021.
Barrel Man:
Some people enjoy working in offices behind desks, some people enjoy working with other people, and some enjoy working odd jobs. Well there is one guy that says his job involves a little bit of everything. You see, his office is a rodeo arena and his desk a 300 lb. Clown Barrel. The others he works with aren’t so human. Yes, we’re talking about 2000 pound bulls with horns and bad attitudes. You guessed it....this is definitely an ODD JOB!!! We are talking about 8X Rodeo Clown of the Year–Shawn “Boom Boom” Thompson.
Shawn parks his pickup in the country near Sidney, Iowa where he, wife Jennifer and son Tate call home. Shawn has traveled over 38 states in 20years, and has worked many rodeo finals in this time. To work finals is like winning a Grammy at the People’s Choice Awards. Shawn credits his success to a good attitude and a happy go lucky look on life. To Shawn comedy is the key to happiness. So if you are looking for a night of comical relief, you gotta catch this guy’s show. Don’t miss out on a night of excitement, laughter and danger. Shawn says the greatest benefit is meeting new folks.
Specialty Act:
John Payne, the One Arm Bandit, is a legend in the Western community, having won the prestigious title of PRCA “Specialty Act of the Year” an unprecedented 15 times.
Born in 1953 on a ranch in Shidler, Oklahoma, John Payne was destined for a life in the rodeo world. But in 1973, fate struck when a devastating electrical accident took his right arm and left him with severe burns. Instead of letting this new challenge defeat him, he faced it head-on and simply pivoted to a different path.
Upon his return home, Payne reinvented himself to become “The One Arm Bandit,” becoming a symbol of resilience, creativity, and unshakable spirit. Using trained mules, buffalo, mustangs, longhorn steers, and even a zebra, Payne’s show is unlike any other around, as he leads the herd through a variety of thrilling acts with the animals featured high atop his custom-made trailer.
After 59 years, l finally figured out what I am and what I wanted to be – I’m a hardcore, Okie, redneck cowboy.”
-John Payne