NFR Extra

In this episode of NFR Extra, we sit down with 2024 PRCA Sound Director of the Year & 2025 Wrangler NFR Music Director Brad Narducci for one of the funniest and most entertaining conversations yet. Raised around rodeo with a bull-riding father and bronc-riding grandfather, Brad shares how he unexpectedly found his path in the sport—not as a cowboy, but behind the m...

In this episode of NFR Extra, we sit down with 8-time Wrangler NFR Steer Wrestling qualifier Will Lummus for a candid conversation about longevity, consistency, and evolving with the sport. With nearly $2 million in career earnings, Will shares how he originally got into rodeo simply to make some money and enjoy the ride—not necessarily chase gold buckles or milestones. Now, heading into another sea...

In this episode of NFR Extra, we sit down with Wrangler NFR qualifier and 2025 Top Gun winner T.J. Gray fresh off a career-defining season. T.J. reflects on his second trip to the Wrangler NFR, crossing the million-dollar mark in earnings, and winning over $300,000 in Las Vegas after entering the Finals with $180,000 already won. He talks about how dramatically the money in rodeo has changed over th...

In this episode of NFR Extra, we sit down with rodeo wife, entrepreneur, and creative spirit Hailey Holman. From growing up in Hawaii to heading to Cal Poly on a rodeo scholarship, Hailey shares the journey that led her to meeting her husband, Lefty Holman—and how a challenging rookie-year injury ultimately brought them closer together.

She opens up about navigatin...

In this episode, we sit down with Patrick Humes, Founder and Chief Rodeo Officer of Music City Rodeo, to talk about bringing big-time rodeo to the heart of Nashville. Patrick shares how the vision came to life—uniting the city, country music artists, world-class athletes, and rodeo experts to create a truly collaborative event. What started as an idea quickly grew into one of the premier rodeos east...

In this episode, we sit down with 2025 Vegas NFR Icon and rodeo legend Shawn Davis — a man whose impact on the sport is truly unmatched. Davis shares story after story from a life lived at the highest level of rodeo. He also reflects on the career-ending injury that nearly stopped everything… and the remarkable comeback that brought him back to the Finals five more times.

In this episode, we sit down with Derek Stevens — Owner and CEO of Circa Las Vegas, The D Las Vegas, and the Golden Gate — to dive into the mind of a true visionary in modern-day Vegas. Derek shares how his entrepreneurial journey began in Detroit long before he ever set foot in downtown Las Vegas. He talks about his first purchase, the historic Golden Gate, and why preserving its legacy while hono...

In this episode, we sit down with rodeo entertainer and host of the Mic Drop show at Cowboy Christmas — Matt Merritt. Matt shares the story of how he first found his path into the world of rodeo entertainment back in high school and how that passion grew into a full-time career as one of the most recognizable barrelmen in the sport. He talks about the unique prep...

In this episode, we sit down with 2025 Vegas NFR Icon Dan Mortensen — one of the greatest bronc riders in rodeo history. A six-time Saddle Bronc Riding World Champion and 1997 All-Around World Champion, Dan shares how his journey began in Billings, Montana, and how his original goals evolved into a legendary career. He reflects on the early days of chasing rodeo dreams, the challenges that shaped him, and what it took to become one...

In this episode, 1985 Saddle Bronc World Champion Brad Gjermundson and 2024 Champion Ryder Wright sit down for a fascinating cross-generation conversation. Brad kicks things off by reflecting on the very first NFR in Las Vegas in 1985 and comparing it to its earlier days in Oklahoma City. From there, the two dive into how the NFR has evolved over the decades, the importance of mindset, and why staying positive is key to success in ...

In this roundtable episode, we bring together three of rodeo's newest World Champions — Josh Frost, J.D. Struxness, and Dean Thompson. All first-time gold buckle winners in 2024, they sit down to share what it feels like to finally reach the top. From years of hard work and close calls to the moment it all came together, the champs open up about their journeys, the challenges they faced, and what it means to win that very first wor...

In this special episode, the 2024 PRCA Team Roping World Champions turn the tables and step into the host's chair as they interview the 1985 PRCA Team Roping Champions. What unfolds is a fun, story-driven conversation filled with great questions, behind-the-scenes memories, and championship perspectives across generations. From swapping rodeo stories to comparing the sport then and now, this episode is a must-listen for team roping...

In this inspiring episode, 2025 Miss Rodeo America Callie Mueller shares her journey from her first pageant in South Dakota in 2019 to capturing rodeo's most prestigious crown. She takes listeners behind the scenes of competing for nine intense days during the NFR, the dedication and daily discipline it takes to be a rodeo queen, and the joy of wearing her favorite accessory—custom-designed chaps. Callie also opens up about her hea...

In this driven roundtable episode, three multi-time world champions—2x Tie-Down Roping Champ Shad Mayfield, 2x Tie-Down Roping Champ Riley Webb, and 3x Saddle Bronc Riding Champ Ryder Wright—sit down for an unfiltered conversation about what it really takes to reach the top. They share the feeling of winning their first gold buckle, the pressure and preparation behind becoming a repeat champion, and how they stay hungry year after ...

In this episode, 2024 Bull Riding World Champion Josh Frost sits down with 1985 World Champion Ted Nuce for a powerful and entertaining conversation about what it takes to be the best in the world. They dive deep into the mindset behind championship success—breaking down the role of positive self-talk, visualization, and having a clear game plan. Ted shares stories from his era, highlighting the tough group of competitors that push...

2024 Steer Wrestling World Champion J.D. Struxness and 1985 World Champion Ote Berry team up for a powerhouse episode that dives deep into the world of bulldogging. They share what it takes to survive—and thrive—through 10 intense days at the NFR in Las Vegas, and how crucial horsemanship, hazing, and horsepower are to success in the arena. The conversation shifts to the evolution of youth rodeo, highlighting the impact of the Juni...