The last Houston Livestock Show
and Rodeo of the millennium brought an incredible close to the 20th century.
A variety of entertainers, broken records and great weather set the stage
for an outstanding 1999 Show.
Raw
electricity . . . intense energy . . . a whirling dervish. These are words
that describe Mark Miller, lead vocalist of Sawyer Brown, as he appeared
on stage at the 1999 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
The
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has such a strong reputation as a local
tradition that creates opportunities for Texas youth that many people may
overlook its international impact and its contributions to agriculture
worldwide. The truth is that the Show is internationally renowned as the
best livestock show in the world.
The
credit for getting Don Jordan involved with the Houston Livestock Show
and Rodeo belongs to his uncle. More than 50 years ago, that uncle took
his young nephew, who was in town for a visit from his hometown of Ingleside,
Texas, to the Houston Fat Stock Show held in the Sam Houston Coliseum.
It was the calf scramble that first captured the youngster's attention.
"I watched those boys go after the calves," Jordan reminisced,
"and I thought to myself that I could do that."
The
news of Gene Autry's death on Oct. 2, 1998, summoned memories of the first
singing cowboy, whose perfect teeth and handsome smile were as bright as
his ever-present white cowboy hat.
Some choices are, by nature, harder
than others, especially when they involve choosing between two of the most
popular rodeo events of the year. Just ask Annie and Joe Campbell of Shoshoni,
Wyo.
Concluding
their three years of service as vice presidents are Charles Grant, Red
Griffin, J. Grover Kelley, Dr. Dan Lehane and Ken Caldwell.
Letters and comments should be sent to:
Marketing and Public Relations Division,
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
P.O. Box 20070, Houston, Texas 77225-0070
