Dusty the Rodeo Clown brings it home to Dixie National Rodeo. Meet the man behind the fun

Joshua Williams, Mississippi Clarion Ledger
·4 min read
Dusty the Rodeo Clown performs for the audience at the Dixie National Rodeo at the State Fairgrounds in Jackson, Miss., Sunday, February 12, 2023.
Dusty the Rodeo Clown performs for the audience at the Dixie National Rodeo at the State Fairgrounds in Jackson, Miss., Sunday, February 12, 2023.

Some people may say that clowns are just meant to be funny and nothing more, but Dusty "The Rodeo Clown" Myers has a different perspective and he works hard to prove the naysayers wrong at the Dixie National Rodeo in Jackson.

The Mississippi native who now resides in Jumpertown fulfills many roles, including professional rodeo clown and barrel man.

Myers, 40, an expert at escaping 2,000-pound bulls while wooing crowds through country comedy, has traveled the world entertaining audiences since his first rodeo clown show at the age of 13.

Myers is skilled in his career techniques, honed through years of proper training, in handling bulls, which is dangerous. He has been a rodeo clown for 16 years but has been in the rodeo business for 27 years and plans to continue his career for as long as he can.

Indeed, being a rodeo clown is more than just making people laugh.

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"During the rodeo, we have a separate routine to prepare for the bulls that includes routine meetings, walk-throughs and practice, which is more complex than the shows I do for the kids," Myers said.

As a part of his kid's day show, Myers has assistance from Joshua "Tater Tot" Robinson, who is his young assistant during the show.

Mississippian Lucas Mooningham of Goldwater and his bull Tomahawk compete in the Bull Riding event at the Dixie National Rodeo as Dusty the Rodeo Clown looks on at the State Fairgrounds in Jackson, Miss., Sunday, February 12, 2023.
Mississippian Lucas Mooningham of Goldwater and his bull Tomahawk compete in the Bull Riding event at the Dixie National Rodeo as Dusty the Rodeo Clown looks on at the State Fairgrounds in Jackson, Miss., Sunday, February 12, 2023.

Myers gives credit to legendary rodeo clown Lecile Harris, who, he said, inspired him to pursue a career as a rodeo clown after he watched him perform at the Dixie National Rodeo when Myers was just a child.

Not long after his last performance at the DNR in 2020, Harris passed away at the age of 83.

"Lecile is the reason I am a rodeo clown today and the relevant connection from my childhood," Myers said. "When I was a kid we didn't get to go on vacation but my dad would take us to the Dixie National Rodeo, and Lecile was the lead clown. I knew Lecile personally and he was a man that demanded respect, which pushed me to do my first show at 13, and it came naturally after taking notes … and being mentored by Lecile."

In just a few years, Myers has done shows for the International Finals Rodeo on 10 different occasions and has ranked in the Top 5 at the National Finals Rodeo for the past five years, but his biggest achievement was being selected as "Clown of the year" for nine consecutive years nationally, he said.

Of course, making people laugh is an important aspect of being a rodeo clown and Myers said the business hasn't changed much since he began years ago. However, he said people's sense of humor seems to have changed in recent years, which is why he enjoys bringing laughter and fun to his shows.

"I never liked some of the jokes that we had to tell back in the day, but now … I can be creative with my craft a bit more," Myers said. "I still consider myself an old-school clown with heart, soul and passion for what I do. Rodeo clowns are more prominent in the South, which is why this particular rodeo means so much to me.

"This is my bucket list rodeo," Myers said of performing at the Dixie National Rodeo in Jackson. "Getting the call to come here is amazing being that this rodeo is the biggest in Mississippi. I've performed on big platforms, but nothing compares to … the love, joy and serenity I feel when I perform at home at the DNR."

If you want to see Dusty in action, head down to the Mississippi State Fairgrounds that continues through Sunday.

If You Go:

  • Where: Mississippi State Fairgrounds, 1207 Mississippi Street, Jackson

Thursday, Feb. 16

  • 8 a.m. Dixie National Quarter Horse Show - Equine Center

  • 7 p.m. Dixie National Rodeo - Coliseum

Friday, Feb. 17

  • 8 a.m. Dixie National Quarter Horse Show - Equine Center

  • 7 p.m. Dixie National Rodeo – Coliseum

  • 9 p.m. Dixie National Rodeo Dance - Trademark

Saturday, Feb. 18

  • 8 a.m. Dixie National Quarter Horse Show - Equine Center

  • 2 p.m. Dixie National Rodeo – Coliseum

  • 7 p.m. Dixie National Rodeo – Coliseum

  • 9 p.m. Dixie National Rodeo Dance - Trademark

Sunday, Feb. 19

  • 8 a.m. Dixie National Quarter Horse Show - Equine Center

Admission: Prices vary depending on events.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Dusty "Rodeo Clown" Myers puts on a show at Dixie National Rodeo