There is a rich history connected with the RCA rodeo. The RCA passes down a tradition in the truest sense of the word by bringing old western heritage in rodeo along with the new wild-wild west in rodeo for all to enjoy.
The RCA mission brings people together of different ethnic backgrounds representing the African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanic, Caucasians and others in a multicultural rodeo sport. It educates, entertains and showcases the art skills of rodeo through a cultural event of diversity.
The Real Cowboy Association is dedicated and committed to bringing the most diversified family entertainment in high-energy rodeos ever.
The Real Cowboy Association started out as F. P. E. Rodeo Productions. Frank Penny Edwards along with his family started with a strong desire to learn the rodeo business. There were many long hours of conversing and sharing rodeo information and traveling often to other rodeos that were being produced by other great black rodeo promoters. The legendary of rodeo told from one of the greatest black rodeo producers ever is Cleo Hearn. He helped the rodeo productions be what they are today.
The year of 1993 was the beginning of some of the greatest black rodeos to be produced. The first rodeo was held at the Fairgrounds Rodeo Arena, in Longview, Texas. This rodeo was held in conjunction with the Juneteenth Festivities, which proved to be very exciting, enjoyable and became an annual event. In conjunction with the Annual Juneteenth Rodeo, the Annual Juneteenth Parade was reorganized. The Annual Juneteenth Parade and Rodeo have continued to grow and captivate spectators from all over.
In the year, 1996, F. P. E. Rodeo Productions experienced its first real catastrophe in the rodeo business in Longview, Texas. Rain was forecasted for early morning, but it arrived around 7 pm… The rodeo was rained out. It was held in an out-door arena. Stock contractors, stock hauling, workers, security, rodeo facility, insurance, paramedics, advertisement, etc., still had to be paid. Thousands of dollars and long hours of work were lost. But, Frank P. Edwards still had a will to continue promoting good family entertainment through the entertainment of rodeo.
In the beginning years, F. P. E. Rodeo Productions produced the following rodeos, also:
v Four State Fairgrounds Rodeo in Texarkana, Arkansas
v Rainbow of Color Rodeo in Paris, Texas
v Hope, Arkansas Black Rodeo in Hope, Arkansas
v RCA Finals, Henderson Expo Center, Henderson, Texas
v Little Rock Black Rodeo, Barton Coliseum, Arkansas
v KZRB Bustin' Out Rodeo in DeKalb, Texas
With still a lot to learn about the rodeo business, some of these rodeo productions showed a lost in monetary due to weather conditions or unexpected circumstances. But, no workers, stock contractors, rodeo facilities, etc., were left unpaid.
As time progressed, in the year of 1999, Frank Penny Edwards met and partnered with Dr. Larry J. Pannell (Grambling State University Director of Marching Band) to produce the 1st Annual Grambling State University "Tiger Marching Band" Black Rodeo. When the idea was proposed, the question was, "Why not the number one marching band in the land" performing at a rodeo. To Frank P. Edwards’s knowledge, no rodeo in history or in America, at that time, had ever had an entire band to entertain at a rodeo event. This rodeo made history. It was held on November 6, 1999 at the Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport, Louisiana, in conjunction with the Louisiana State Fair. There was standing room only. All ages and races enjoyed this now new wild-wild west rodeo entertainment. The Grambling State University "Tiger Marching Band" entertained and energized the crowd as they played and danced to the tune of Wild-Wild West.
After such an impact on the sudden change in rodeo entertainment, doors began to open with new opportunities reaching into other areas and in the southeast. It was the rodeo producers dream to carry rodeo to a higher, different and more exciting level. Frank P. Edwards’s desire was to promote exhilarating and very high-energy rodeos.
Now after much thought and deliberation, it was decided F. P. E. Rodeo Productions would no longer exist. After much paper work and sleepless nights, the old rodeo organization was now a new rodeo association. In the year of 2001, the Real Cowboy Association became a reality along with the Real Cowboy Scholarship being a non-profit.
The first year the RCA got off to a good start. The membership started out with 250 members and is currently going strong with 300-400 members. These rodeos draw spectators, contestants and riding clubs from around the country. Rodeo parades have become a major event before the rodeo. Trail rides and Tailgate parties are a great get together for good food and good music. Not only is this event filled with excitement and fun for the entire family, but also rodeo history is being told and re-enacted through rodeo events. These RCA Rodeos have proven to be very educational and enlightening. There are cities that the RCA has gone into that young and old have not seen ethnic cowboys before until they attended a black rodeo.
In July of 2004, the RCA began to have numerous accomplishments. One of the greatest accomplishments of all was: a licensed website for the Real Cowboy Association. This is a great attraction for the RCA rodeo fans, contestants and sponsors. To date, a large number of viewers have logged on to www.realcowboyassociation.com. This website is continuously updated for spectators viewing pleasure and information.
These rodeos were produced in year 2005-2010 under the Real Cowboy Association:
Texarkana, Arkansas Black Rodeo
Four States Entertainment Center, Texarkana, Arkansas
Angelina County Black Rodeo
Angelina County Expo Center, Lufkin, Texas
Ruston Black Rodeo
North Louisiana Exhibition Center, Ruston, Louisiana
Coushatta Black Rodeo
Coushatta Casino Resort Arena, Kinder, La.
Carthage Black Rodeo,
The Cattlemen Arena, Carthage, Texas
Huntsville Black Rodeo
Walker County Fair Grounds, Huntsville, Texas
Annual Mobile Black Rodeo
Mobile Civic Center Arena, Mobile, Alabama
Annual Alexandria Black Rodeo
Rapides Coliseum, Alexandria, Louisiana
Annual Hattiesburg Black Rodeo
Forrest County Multi-purpose Center, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
To date, year 2014, the following rodeos are being produced. They are as follows:
- 21st Annual Juneteenth Black Rodeo, Longview Fairgrounds, Longview, Texas
This home town rodeo was the beginning of these rodeo events. It is most exciting.
- 14th Annual Bayou Black Rodeo, Monroe Civic Center, Monroe, La.
Mayor Jamie Mayo was so impressed, after witnessing the GSU Rodeo in Shreveport that he wanted this type of family entertainment brought to the city of Monroe. Along with the rodeo, a Bayou Parade is held during the morning and an awesome tailgate party until show time.
- 13th Annual Nacogdoches Black Rodeo, Nacogdoches Expo Center, Nacogdoches, Texas
In the year of 2002, the RCA traveled to Nacogdoches, Texas. Being that Nacogdoches is the oldest town in Texas, it was most appropriate to produce a rodeo for real cowboys there. It was accepted with enthusiasm. Riding Clubs from all over came together for a trail-ride that ends at the rodeo arena. After the rodeo, a DJ starts up the music that will top the rodeo off with a dance in a barn yard style setting. This has proven to be a historical rodeo in its own right.
- 12th Annual Mississippi Black Rodeo, Mississippi State Fair Coliseum, Jackson, Ms.
The RCA had tried for a number of years to get to Jackson, Mississippi for a rodeo. Through meeting Mayor Harvey Johnson, the rodeo became a reality. When it was broadcast that the Black Rodeo was coming to Jackson, people became very excited. They wanted to experience seeing cowboys and cowgirls and for most, first time ever attending a rodeo. The first year, the Mississippi State Fair Coliseum fire chief turned away 1,300 people for lack of seating. Because of the audience magnitude, there is a 2pm and 7 pm performance.
- 11th Annual Gladewater Black Rodeo, Gladewater Round-up Rodeo Arena, Gladewater, Texas
In the year of 2004, history was made in Gladewater, Texas at one of the oldest PRCA Rodeo Arenas. Out of 50 years or longer, no other rodeo of any other ethnic background had ever been held in this arena. This first class rodeo went over so well, the Board of Directors and committee members welcomed the RCA back for the following year.
- 6th Annual Southwest Black Rodeo, Cajundome, Lafayette, Louisiana
This rodeo is one of the largest. The tail gate party and outdoor concert draws approximate 3,000 people.
- 6th Annual Mt. Pleasant Black Rodeo,
Mt. Pleasant Rodeo Arena, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
v 4th Annual Little Rock Black Rodeo, Arkansas State Fair Complex,
Little Rock, Arkansas
v 4th Annual Athens Black Rodeo, Athens Rodeo Arena, Athens, Texas
v 5th Annual Gulf Coast Black Rodeo, Mississippi State Fair Coliseum, Biloxi, Ms
v 5th Annual Lake Charles Black Rodeo, Lake Charles Civic Center, Lake
Charles, La.
- Annual National Black Rodeo Finals, CenturyLink, Bossier City, Louisiana
The RCA Finals is held at one of the greatest attractions in America. This facility is better known as the CenturyLink Center. The Annual National Black Rodeo Finals is phenomenal with the Grambling State University "Tiger Marching Band" as special entertainment. Families across the country travel to witness and enjoy this energizing and enjoyable rodeo. There are other rodeos in America, but non like the Annual National Black Rodeo Finals that is held at the CenturyLink Center in Bossier City, Louisiana. Each year it has been a sale out.
Some of the entertainers that RCA has presented for rodeo entertainment are: Olivia—Ruben Studdard—Cupid—Mel Waiters—the Temptation Review—Mystikal LeJit—Keith Frank Zydeco Band—Zapp Band and many more.
The RCA has benefited numerous organizations through sponsorship and donations.
Just to name a few are:
v Windridge Therapeutic Equestrian Center of East Texas, Inc.
v Association for Retarded Citizens, Inc.
v Sabine Valley Mental Health Mental Retardation Center
v Hope Cottage
v America Habilitation Services
v Longview Youth Shelter
v Gregg County Detention Center
v Gregg County Sheriff Deputies
v Youth City Football Teams
v Jarvis Christian College, Hawkins, Texas
v Tri-District Boys & Girls Club, Monroe, La.
v OIC of Quachita, Monroe, La
v Grambling State University Tiger Marching Band
v Annual Scholarships
v Others(Donations)
For more information, contact:
Frank Penny Edwards, RCA President/CEO
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.realcowboyassociation.com
