Good Company and Pink Lightning

I already shared with you the business end of my trip to Oklahoma and Kansas so I think it is only fair that I share with you the rest of my adventure.  I have great friends and colleagues that are always coming up with ways to entertain, so there was never a dull moment!

Rodeo Announcers Shop Talk- Justin McKee, Me, Wayne Brooks

I helped Justin and Jeannie McKee gather cows on Thursday and Friday mornings.  On Friday, I had just hopped off my horse and was getting ready to hit to road to Gas, KS when Wayne Brooks pulled up.  Wayne is a former PRCA Announcer of the Year and was in the area to work the State Fair rodeo.  He had the morning off and decided to drive up to see Justin.  It was a pleasant surprise on both ends to run into each other.  The three of us, Wayne, Justin and myself, stood around and talked announcer shop for a while before I hit the road.  It never ceases to amaze me how small the World is some days.

 Friday evening was enjoyed with good company and lots of laughs.  Thanks to the always entertaining Andrew!

The Bird Hunting A Team- Charly, Me, Blaine, Mike

 Saturday morning started with a hearty breakfast at the Copan, OK truck stop.  We then headed off pheasant hunting.  Brian Little, our host, along with the rest of the participants all decided to add some friendly competition to the hunt and place a wager on the team that could bring in the most birds.  My team consisted of Charly Cummings, cattle buyer Mike Lotz and his son Blaine.  Sadly, I had to leave the hunt early in order to catch a plane in Wichita, KS.  However, our team still won the competition!  I don’t know if that shows how good Charly, Mike and Blaine are or how the rest of the boys need a little more practice…hmmm?!

 

 I want to give a quick shout out about Blaine Lotz.  He is a hard work young man and an aspiring auctioneer.  I first had the pleasure of meeting him when he was a student at the Western College of Auctioneering last year.  He is currently President of his FFA Chapter and is active in the livestock industry.  He was at the sale Thursday helping his dad buy cattle.  It is great to see young people so involved with the livestock marketing industry.  I look forward to hearing about his continued accomplishments.  Hats off to you Blaine!

 Finally, the story of my trip would not be complete without mentioning Jay Romine and his pink moped.  I thought my rental car was small until I saw him on Pink Lightning!

Jay Romine on Pink Lightning

Just a reminder that next Saturday, October 23 is the second of the 2011 WLAC Quarterfinal events.  It will be in Ponoka, Alberta Canada and will start at 10:00 AM GMT.  As always, the contest will be broadcast live on LMAAuctions.  You will not want to miss this event as it will be a true World showcase of Livestock Auctioneers.  There will be contestants from the US, Canada and Australia competing!

A Taste of the South

I want to start out by saying thank you to Montgomery Stock Yards for all of their hard work and hospitality!  The Etheredge, Jordan and Taylor families along with all the staff put in a tremendous amount of work to prepare for this event and it went off without a hitch.  The LMA staff, as always, did a great job in running and planning the contest and online broadcast.  All of the contestants gave it their all and the buyers put them to the test.  I must thank their auctioneer Mr. John Williams for his patience during the contest and for allowing me to sell during a break.  I know it cannot be easy to hand over the reins to 30 unfamiliar auctioneers and his help was much appreciated.

I can say, 100% the first of the 2011 WLAC Quarterfinal competitions was a success!   It sure was nice being up on the block announcing instead of competing.  However, I did miss having the chance to hang out with all of contestants in the holding room.  That is where I have heard some great stories and had the opportunity to get to know my colleagues!  Not to mention the food that is back there at most of these events.  In Montgomery they had everything from Rocky Road brownies to BBQ sandwiches.  Everything was provided by ladies at the market, so it was all homemade…mmmm. 

Speaking of food, eating sure was an adventure during my trip, especially on my way home.  I rode with LMA Rep John Kissee to and from the Atlanta airport and on our trip back on Monday we decided to stop and eat dinner.  John took me to a place I had never been before, Waffle House.  I know it may seem odd that I have never eaten at a Waffle House, but the opportunity had never presented itself until Monday.  It most definitely lived up to its reputation and it was an experience.  (Jeff Foxworthy came to mind..)  I, of course had to try the waffles and some smothered and covered hash browns.  Though not as good as home cooking, it was delicious.  The best part of the Waffle House experience was the atmosphere.  There were people from all walks of life in that tiny diner.  The funny thing was that it took us longer to pay for our food than it did to eat it.

 Well, I am off to take a break from the auction ring and prepare for a gig this weekend.  The Walk ‘em Boys and I are playing at a wedding dance here in Lewistown this Saturday.  It is always fun to play good music for friends with friends and I do enjoy a good wedding dance….I wonder what kind of cake they will have!?

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Congratulations to the winners of the contest!  The following auctioneers will all be competing in South Carolina June 25 and 26, 2010:

Justin Dodson– Champion

Dustin Focht–Reserve Champion

Billy Younkin– Runner Up Champion

Philip Gilstrap, Jacob Massey, Brandon Neely, Jay Romine, Jeff Showalter