Rodeo Clown
Rudy Burns
"The Crazy Cajun"
"I never wanted to do anything but be a Rodeo Clown. Clowning is my life."
When growing up in downtown Baton Rouge, La., Rudy Burns was commonly known as a city slicker. No horses, bulls, or cows were to be found. So how did he become interested in Rodeo?
Growing up in Baton Rouge La., there was a Rodeo at L.S.U. (Louisiana State University), which was one of the reasons Rudy pursued this profession.
In and out of school, Rudy was a class clown. He always liked playing and telling jokes, anything to get a laugh.
Watching such Rodeo Clowns as Rick Young, Quail DOB's, Junior Meeks, H. R.
Williams, Jean and Bobby Clark, Rudy realized... "I Can do that."
In 1972 at a Rodeo, the clown did not show up. The stock contractor, knowing Rudy as a prankster gave him this chance.
Rudy made the best of that chance, working the Amateur Finals in the Bull Riding and also as a Rodeo Clown, and Bullfighter. Back in the 70's there was no difference between a Bullfighter and a Clown. You had to be both to make it in the Rodeo business.
In 1975 Rudy joined the P.R.C.A.
Association and his career took off. Working many rodeos such as Jackson, Ms., and American Royal in Kansas City, Mo. Parker
Ranch Rodeo in Maui, Hawaii, Palestine, Fort Smith, Ark., Springdale, Ark., and many more Top Rodeos.
Rudy loved fighting the bulls, but loved the clowning just as much. Rudy fought bulls and clowned from 1972-1995, but then he realized it was time to let the young gun's fight the bulls and began working the barrel.
In the 1990's Rudy was voted by the Wrangler Bullfighters to work the Barrel at the N.F.R. seven times. In 1995 Rudy was also selected by the bull riders to work the barrel for all ten performances of the N.F.R. In 1995 and 2000 Rudy was selected as the Coors Man in the Can. Bull riders, judges, stock contractors vote on who wins this award.
Rudy said that these two awards were the highlight of his career. "
I never wanted to do anything but be a Rodeo Clown. Clowning is my life."