Throwback Trends: Then and Now, Bucking Horse Sale & Rodeo, Largest US Illegal Bird Bust

Then and Now, Throwback Trends. Learn about why Montana for the legendary Miles City Bucking Horse Sale & Rodeo —Plus, the biggest illegal bird bust in U.S. history! Join radio hosts Rebecca Wanner aka 'BEC' and Jeff ‘Tigger’ Erhardt (Tigger & BEC) with The Bend Radio Show & Podcast, your news outlet for the latest in Outdoors & Western Lifestyle News!

Season 5, Episode 234

The Evolution of Cool: What We Loved Then and What’s Trending Now

Nostalgia always finds a way to trend. From bumpin’ bass in your trunk to custom AI avatars flooding your feed—what’s cool evolves, but the vibe stays the same.

Let’s take a ride through the decades and catch up on what’s hot, what’s history, and what’s happening right now in pop culture, rodeo, and the wildest wildlife headline you didn’t know you needed.

From Fax Machines to 3D Cartoon Avatars 

Then: Remember the days of waiting in line at the office fax machine, praying it didn’t jam? Or spending hours crafting a MySpace page with custom HTML?

Now: We’ve moved on to creating 3D cartoon versions of ourselves using AI and ChatGPT to share on TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. It's not just for kicks—these avatars are now brand mascots, profile pics, and conversation starters.

25 Years Ago: CD Players & Subs in the Trunk

In the late '90s and early 2000s, if your ride didn’t have a Pioneer deck and a couple of 12-inch subs in the back, were you even cool?

Whether it was Tupac, Tim McGraw, or Linkin Park, music hit different when your rearview mirror shook from bass drops. The era of custom installs and trunk-rattling power might be long gone, but the spirit lives on in today’s custom car scene and wireless audio obsessions.

Rodeo Spotlight: Miles City Bucking Horse Sale & Rodeo – Montana’s Wildest 4 Days

Miles City, Montana becomes the capital of cowboy culture every May during the World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale & Rodeo—a four-day extravaganza of raw horsepower, western tradition, and all-out fun.

Kickoff: Pendleton Whiskey Country Concert 

The event kicks off Thursday, May 15th, 2025 with a Pendleton Whiskey Country Concert featuring rising Montana country artist Tanner Laws.

“This rodeo is electric. It’s not just the horses that buck—every night feels like a full-on western party,” Tanner shared in our exclusive interview. Hear his full interview on this episode of The Bend Show.

Joining the Tanner Laws Band are special guests Tigirlily Gold, adding a powerhouse female energy to the stage, and Gary Allan, headlining the show and bringing decades of country grit.

What to Expect All Weekend

• Friday, May 16: Match Bronc Rides and Street Dances

• Saturday, May 17: PRCA-sanctioned rodeo performances

• Sunday, May 18: Cowboy Church and the PRCA Xtreme Bronc Match Rodeo

Vendors, parades, beer gardens, and the best western wear you'll find all year!

Bucking Horse Sale, Rodeo & Concert: TICKETS

ORDER NOW!! These tickets are selling fast, so make your plans and grab your tickets!

Purchase Tickets, Schedule and To Learn More visit BuckingHorseSale.com or RanchChannel.com

Largest US Illegal Taxidermy Bird Bust

In unexpected wildlife news, the largest illegal taxidermy bird bust in U.S. history just landed a Montana collector with a $900,000 fine. Authorities uncovered a treasure trove of over 300 prote