Who inspired PBR announcer Matt West? Rodeo's Clem McSpadden, wrestling's Jim Ross
Matt West got his start announcing rodeos in small Oklahoma communities such as Pawnee, Perry, Kingfisher and the place where he grew up, Delaware, a small town with less than 300 people in Nowata County.
It was in Delaware one afternoon 20 years ago when a 21-year-old West, then a super shy and socially awkward college student, was forced by one of his father’s friends to take over the microphone at a junior bull riding event.
“I didn’t have any fun at all because I was so nervous,” West said. “I got invited back and got told I would get paid cash money.”
West didn’t love his first job as a rodeo announcer, but it stuck.
That afternoon in Delaware launched a career which has led West to become the voice of the Professional Bull Riders, the largest bull riding league in the world.
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West is a television broadcaster for the PBR’s Camping World Team Series, which makes a stop in Oklahoma City on Sept. 8-10 as the Oklahoma Freedom bull riding team will host the sixth event of the regular season.
This is the second year of the PBR Teams Series. Eight teams of bull riders compete against each other in 11 bull riding events during the season. Oklahoma Freedom is coached by Oklahoma native Cord McCoy.
After the PBR Teams Series concludes in October, West becomes the in-arena announcer for the PBR’s Unleash the Beast tour, the traditional individual bull riding competition. The Unleash the Beast tour visits Tulsa in January.
Growing up Delaware, West was inspired by the biggest voice in rodeo, Clem McSpadden, who lived just a 30-minute drive away in Chelsea.
McSpadden, who died in 2008, announced the National Finals Rodeo 27 times, starting in 1963. He was the general manager of the NFR for 18 years while it was held in Oklahoma City.
“I think anybody that is from Oklahoma, especially in our industry, if Clem McSpadden is not your hero, then you are wrong,” West said.
“When I started, Clem lived in Chelsea and I lived the other side of Delaware, very close. I would go and just sit in Clem’s office and just listen to the man talk. We would talk for hours and hours. I would just pick his brain.”
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West’s other inspiration is another legendary sports announcer from Oklahoma, Jim Ross, the voice of World Wrestling Entertainment for two decades. A huge wrestling fan, West was enamored by the energy and storytelling of Ross.
“Clem McSpadden and Jim Ross were my two heroes,” West said. “I have been very, very blessed to call both of those guy friends in my life. Those were my two inspirations. They still are.”
Every time West visits the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, he likes to visit the American Rodeo Gallery in the museum and listen to audio recordings of McSpadden narrating the history of rodeo.
“Anytime I can get a little connection to Clem, I will take it,” West said. “He was so quick to help me when I started my career. I will never forget that.”
Freedom Fest
WHERE: Paycom Center
WHEN: Sept. 8, 7:45 p.m.; Sept. 9, 6:45 p.m.; Sept. 10, 1:45 p.m.
TICKETS: Can be bought at Ticketmaster.com, PBR.com, Paycom Center box office or by calling PBR customer service at 1-800-732-1727
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: PBR announcer Matt West influenced by rodeos, wrestling's Jim Ross
