THE BALLOON MAN

Rodeo funnyman JJ Harrison headed to the NFR

 

from:  tn-cityherald.com
By Annie Fowler
December 5, 2012

It’s hard to tell which takes more courage: taunting a bull in a rodeo arena with Fun Noodles, or wearing a pink sumo outfit — complete with a purple bathing suit.
For rodeo barrelman and entertainer JJ Harrison, both are all in a day’s work, and his hard work over the last six years has paid off. He was voted by his peers to work the National Finals Rodeo, which starts today and runs through Dec. 15 in Las Vegas.
“It’s the world championship for a rodeo clown,” Harrison said. “You don’t set it as a goal. It is very humbling. It’s a great honor, not just for me, but for the Pacific Northwest.”
Harrison, 37, has entertained rodeo crowds for years, including the Horse Heaven Round-Up in Kennewick and the Sisters Rodeo in Oregon, where he got his first gig.
His interaction with the fans, energy and creativity prompted announcers, bullfighters and fellow barrelmen to cast their votes for the Walla Walla funnyman.
“I believe he is one of the funniest guys out there,” longtime Kennewick bullfighter Rowdy Barry said. “I voted for him to go to the NFR, and obviously others thought he was worthy as well. He is the Northwest’s best-kept secret. The word is starting to get out.”
Harrison was at a rodeo in Billings, Mont., in late October when he got the call from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association to work the NFR. “I was in a production meeting, and twice I let the call go to voicemail,” Harrison said. “When they called the third time, I knew I should take the call.”
Read more here: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/12/05/2195486/rodeo-funnyman-jj-harrison-headed.html#storylink=cpy