As the professional rodeo world readies to roll into the 49th annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, December 6 to 15 in Las Vegas, someone will be noticeably absent.

His name is Joe Beaver, but in Vegas he’s just as well-known as “Joe Fabulous.” In 1985—the year ProRodeo’s Super Bowl moved to the Thomas and Mack Center—then young gun Beaver made a huge splash in the sport. That season’s Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Tie-Down Roping and Overall Rookie of the Year won his first of eight world championships. He’s since banked eight world titles— five in tie-down roping and three world all-around championships—and last December won more than any other NFR contestant to capture the 2006 NFR all-around crown. Between the tiedown roping and team roping events, Beaver has 22 finals qualifications under his belt. Is it any wonder they call the Thomas and Mack “The House That Joe Built”?

At 42, and with eight world titles to his name, Beaver is at the top of his game.

The guy is flat amazing. He’s won more than any other cowboy in the history of professional rodeo, with PRCA career earnings of $2,872,454. Beaver is taking an injury-forced timeout in 2007 after having hip surgery the week after last year’s NFR. Think about this: In a field of 20-something studs, Beaver—who just turned 42— placed in seven of the 10 tie-down roping rounds. He and his team roping partner, 21-year-old Cole Bigbee, placed in half the rounds in that event. Beaver basically dominated a field of guys half his age—gimping along with the handicap of a serious hip injury all the way. It’s a pretty devastating blow to have to bow out for a year after winning the all-around at the ultimate cowboy contest. No one loves life—or winning— more than Joe Beaver. Losing his dad and mentor, Walter, last fall did nothing but boost Beaver’s lifelong passion for going all out all day, every day.

“If you look at the guys who’ve won a lot throughout rodeo history—Jim Shoulders, Harry Tompkins, Larry Mahan, Phil Lyne, Ty Murray—they all have that extra edge,” said Beaver, who’s also extremely handy as a rodeo commentator in the broadcast booth when he’s out hurt. “It’s that inside killer instinct that just comes to the top when you have to be your best. I think you’re born with it. God gives it to you and says, ‘Here. If you’re tough enough and smart enough to use it, and you’re strong enough to use it when times are tough, it’s all yours.’ In the end, it comes out. And you never lose it. It’s an extra spark inside you that kicks out.

“The drive that keeps me going is that special spark that certain people are hit with. I’m not saying we’re special. But we do have a different view.

It’s just in you. It’s what makes you get out there and work hard. Until it fizzles out, I don’t think you can fight it. But I think you have to be smart enough not to override it when it’s over. When that spark fizzles and it goes, you need to be smart enough to say it’s time to step down.” ProRodeo Hall of Famer Beaver’s got gold buckles in each of the last three decades, and there are more glory days ahead.

“I’ve got a gift,” the Huntsville, Texan, states gratefully. “If you’re lucky enough to have a gift, you should use it until it no longer benefits you or your sport. I’m not done. And until the day comes that I can’t compete at the very top level, you can bet your butt I’ll be out there practicing and trying as hard as is humanly possible. Nobody loves to rope more than me.”

Featuring not only exceptional rodeo action during a three-day event but also powerful musical performances, the Texas Stampede, a fundraiser for Children’s Medical Center, once again will tempt even the slickest of city slickers into boot-stompin’ fun Nov. 9 to 11 at American Airlines Center in downtown Dallas.

Highlights include the Wrangler ProRodeo Tour Championship, in which the Top 10 competitors still in contention for the world title following the Ariat Playoff Series meet the toughest riding and roping stock to provide a showcase of the sport’s best of the best.

The Stampede music tradition breaks loose in concerts by Daughtry, Josh Turner, and Kellie Pickler, three hot, new talents who’ll take the stage at Texas Stampede to deliver their own unique brand of energy, electricity, and excitement.

And the whole family will enjoy the Sky Ranch Rodeo U, an on-the-dirt experience for kids ages 6 to 16 to learn first-hand the ways of the cowboy, and the Children’s Medical Center Christmas Stampede, a holiday marketplace with appeal for traditional Texas as well as city slickers.

For more information, visit www.texasstampede.org.

Professional Bull Riders, Inc. was pleased to announce that as of Mon., July 16, it officially took up residence in its new corporate headquarters in Pueblo, Colo.

The new PBR World Headquarters is located at 101 W. Riverwalk on the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk in Pueblo.

The PBR was to phase in employees over the next month.

PBR Chief Executive Officer Randy Bernard stated, “I am very pleased that our move to Pueblo is finally a reality. The Pueblo Economic Development Corporation, Pueblo’s city leaders, and the entire community have embraced us from the beginning. We’re excited to call Pueblo home.”

The PBR’s new contact information is Professional Bull Riders, Inc., 101 W. Riverwalk, Pueblo, CO 81003, 719-242- 2800. For more information, visit www.pbrnow.com, or contact Angela Hiatt at 719-242-2800, ext. 380.

Don King, cowboy, saddlemaker, creator of the Sheridan style saddle, and founder of King’s Saddlery and King’s Museum in Sheridan, Wyo., of natural causes, in Sheridan, on July 27. He was 83.

COLEN H. SWEETEN JR., noted speaker, Western historian, and cowboy poet, of cancer, in Springville, Utah, on Aug. 15. He was 88. (See also p. 160.)

WAYNE JENNINGS, former top Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association steer wrestler and tiedown roper, of a heart attack, in Payson, Ariz., on Aug. 19. He was 73

The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Okla., announced the newest addition to its collection, a heroic-sized bronze to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of movie star, American icon, and National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum supporter John Wayne.

“The sculpture is in memory of the continued culmination of more than 40 years of association with Mr. Wayne and his family,” said Don Reeves, the Museum’s McCasland Chair of Cowboy Culture.

Wayne was the first recipient of a Wrangler Award in the major motion picture category. The Alamo was honored in 1961 during the inaugural Western Heritage Awards, held at the prestigious Skirvin Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City. On June 26, 1965, the popular actor led the parade celebrating the official opening of the Museum. He served on the Museum’s Board of Directors until his heath declined in 1979. He died that same year.

The sculpture was created by Edward J. Fraughton, commissioned by the Museum, and purchased with support from the Kerr-McGee Corporation.

Fraughton has been active in the Museum’s annual Prix de West art exhibition for 23 years. The sculpture depicts Wayne as he appeared in the 1960s during the height of his career. The 8-foot, 8-inch bronze was unveiled July 28, 2007, during National Day of the American Cowboy festivities.

A popular proverb states that the quickest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Since 1998, the wife-husband tandem of Linda and Ted Wiese have taken that to heart with the Cowboy Bistro, a mobile kitchen that serves complimentary meals to cowboys and cowgirls at a handful of rodeos across the country.

Feeding stomachs is one thing. The Wiese couple takes it the extra mile. They feed souls too.

“When you want to get close to someone, sit down across the table and visit with them,” said Ted, an ordained cowboy minister. “When we feed them, it builds good relationships. That’s what we need to do.”

At no charge to cowboys—the couple depends only on donations—Linda, a chef, prepares homestyle meals from scratch, while Ted concocts his worldfamous sweet tea, in addition to peach and blackberry cobblers.

It all evolved from a vision to provide a home away from home for cowboys and, at the same time, offer nutritious meals instead of candy and snacks from the concession stands.

We serve one meal, and we bless it and bless the cowboys,” Ted Wiese said. “We love all of them like a mom and dad do. Some of these guys, maybe their father never told them that they love them. They all need to be told that. And we do.”