Rob Gann performs as the Rodeo Clown at the Adirondack Stampede in the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls, New York, on Sat., Nov. 6, 2021. Gann has been working around the US as a Rodeo Clown for the past 5 years and worked as a rodeo bullfighter for about 20 years before that. As a rodeo clown, rather than a bullfighter, Gann does not wear protective equipment in the arena and usually stays far away from the horses and bulls. Gann says his role is to be funny and fill space between competitors and events to give the audience something to look at before the next rider exits a chute. Gann lives in Lonoke, Arkansas.

For NPR, I profiled rodeo clown Rob Gann at the Adirondack Stampede in Glens Falls, New York, with reporter Brian Mann. Having grown up around rodeos it was familiar territory, and a lot of fun. Gann is no longer a bull-fighter, meaning that his clowning takes place as far away from the bulls and broncos as possible, generally filling space between rides and events; his act is very dependent on the jokes he tells, as well, which made it difficult to translate some of his comedy to a visual medium. A big thanks to Rob, the folks at the Adirondack Stampede, and Virginia at NPR, who wanted me to use the harsh-flash style I use in my presidential politics coverage for this story.

Rodeo Clown Rob Gann gets dressed in a backstage locker room before performing at the Adirondack Stampede in the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls, New York, on Sat., Nov. 6, 2021. Gann has been working around the US as a Rodeo Clown for the past 5 years and worked as a rodeo bullfighter for about 20 years before that. As a rodeo clown, rather than a bullfighter, Gann does not wear protective equipment in the arena and usually stays far away from the horses and bulls. Gann says his role is to be funny and fill space between competitors and events to give the audience something to look at before the next rider exits a chute. Gann lives in Lonoke, Arkansas.
Rob Gann puts on his clown makeup in the backstage locker room before performing as the Rodeo Clown at the Adirondack Stampede in the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls, New York, on Sat., Nov. 6, 2021. Gann has been working around the US as a Rodeo Clown for the past 5 years and worked as a rodeo bullfighter for about 20 years before that. As a rodeo clown, rather than a bullfighter, Gann does not wear protective equipment in the arena and usually stays far away from the horses and bulls. Gann says his role is to be funny and fill space between competitors and events to give the audience something to look at before the next rider exits a chute.  Gann lives in Lonoke, Arkansas.
A bull rider competes at the Adirondack Stampede in the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls, New York, on Sat., Nov. 6, 2021.
Miss Rodeo New York Madalynn Jurenko prepares to enter the arena on horseback at the Adirondack Stampede in the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls, New York, on Sat., Nov. 6, 2021.
A reminder reading "Lift Spur" is seen on a glove resting on saddle equipment backstage at the Adirondack Stampede at the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls, New York, on Sat., Nov. 6, 2021.
Rob Gann performs as the Rodeo Clown at the Adirondack Stampede in the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls, New York, on Sat., Nov. 6, 2021. Gann has been working around the US as a Rodeo Clown for the past 5 years and worked as a rodeo bullfighter for about 20 years before that. As a rodeo clown, rather than a bullfighter, Gann does not wear protective equipment in the arena and usually stays far away from the horses and bulls. Gann says his role is to be funny and fill space between competitors and events to give the audience something to look at before the next rider exits a chute. Gann lives in Lonoke, Arkansas.
A spectator watches the Adirondack Stampede in the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls, New York, on Sat., Nov. 6, 2021.
Spectators pray before the Adirondack Stampede in the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls, New York, on Sat., Nov. 6, 2021.
Rob Gann wears oversize Wrangler jeans as he performs as the Rodeo Clown at the Adirondack Stampede in the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls, New York, on Sat., Nov. 6, 2021. Gann has been working around the US as a Rodeo Clown for the past 5 years and worked as a rodeo bullfighter for about 20 years before that. As a rodeo clown, rather than a bullfighter, Gann does not wear protective equipment in the arena and usually stays far away from the horses and bulls. Gann says his role is to be funny and fill space between competitors and events to give the audience something to look at before the next rider exits a chute. Gann lives in Lonoke, Arkansas.
Rob Gann prays backstage before entering the arena to perform as the Rodeo Clown at the Adirondack Stampede in the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls, New York, on Sat., Nov. 6, 2021. Gann has been working around the US as a Rodeo Clown for the past 5 years and worked as a rodeo bullfighter for about 20 years before that. As a rodeo clown, rather than a bullfighter, Gann does not wear protective equipment in the arena and usually stays far away from the horses and bulls. Gann says his role is to be funny and fill space between competitors and events to give the audience something to look at before the next rider exits a chute. Gann lives in Lonoke, Arkansas.
Rodeo Clown Rob Gann helps move fire props for trick rider Jessica Blair Fowlkes at the Adirondack Stampede in the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls, New York, on Sat., Nov. 6, 2021. Gann has been working around the US as a Rodeo Clown for the past 5 years and worked as a rodeo bullfighter for about 20 years before that. As a rodeo clown, rather than a bullfighter, Gann does not wear protective equipment in the arena and usually stays far away from the horses and bulls. Gann says his role is to be funny and fill space between competitors and events to give the audience something to look at before the next rider exits a chute. Gann lives in Lonoke, Arkansas.
Rob Gann puts on his clown costume in the backstage locker room before performing as the Rodeo Clown at the Adirondack Stampede in the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls, New York, on Sat., Nov. 6, 2021. Gann has been working around the US as a Rodeo Clown for the past 5 years and worked as a rodeo bullfighter for about 20 years before that. As a rodeo clown, rather than a bullfighter, Gann does not wear protective equipment in the arena and usually stays far away from the horses and bulls. Gann says his role is to be funny and fill space between competitors and events to give the audience something to look at before the next rider exits a chute.  Gann lives in Lonoke, Arkansas.
Workers gather backstage during the Adirondack Stampede in the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls, New York, on Sat., Nov. 6, 2021.
Rob Gann watches from the edge of the as he performs as the Rodeo Clown at the Adirondack Stampede in the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls, New York, on Sat., Nov. 6, 2021. Gann has been working around the US as a Rodeo Clown for the past 5 years and worked as a rodeo bullfighter for about 20 years before that. As a rodeo clown, rather than a bullfighter, Gann does not wear protective equipment in the arena and usually stays far away from the horses and bulls. Gann says his role is to be funny and fill space between competitors and events to give the audience something to look at before the next rider exits a chute. Gann lives in Lonoke, Arkansas.
Rob Gann waits backstage before entering the arena to perform as the Rodeo Clown at the Adirondack Stampede in the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls, New York, on Sat., Nov. 6, 2021. Gann has been working around the US as a Rodeo Clown for the past 5 years and worked as a rodeo bullfighter for about 20 years before that. As a rodeo clown, rather than a bullfighter, Gann does not wear protective equipment in the arena and usually stays far away from the horses and bulls. Gann says his role is to be funny and fill space between competitors and events to give the audience something to look at before the next rider exits a chute. Gann lives in Lonoke, Arkansas.
An attendee looks at apparel for sale at The Farm House Tack Shop booth at the Adirondack Stampede in the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls, New York, on Sat., Nov. 6, 2021.
Rob Gann pretends to be a janitor cleaning up the arena during an approximately 5-minute skit in which he blows up a trash can while performing as the Rodeo Clown at the Adirondack Stampede in the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls, New York, on Sat., Nov. 6, 2021. Gann has been working around the US as a Rodeo Clown for the past 5 years and worked as a rodeo bullfighter for about 20 years before that. As a rodeo clown, rather than a bullfighter, Gann does not wear protective equipment in the arena and usually stays far away from the horses and bulls. Gann says his role is to be funny and fill space between competitors and events to give the audience something to look at before the next rider exits a chute. Gann lives in Lonoke, Arkansas.
Rodeo Clown Rob Gann waves to the crowd after performing at the Adirondack Stampede in the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls, New York, on Sat., Nov. 6, 2021. Gann has been working around the US as a Rodeo Clown for the past 5 years and worked as a rodeo bullfighter for about 20 years before that. As a rodeo clown, rather than a bullfighter, Gann does not wear protective equipment in the arena and usually stays far away from the horses and bulls. Gann says his role is to be funny and fill space between competitors and events to give the audience something to look at before the next rider exits a chute. Gann lives in Lonoke, Arkansas.
All content © 2005-2024 M. Scott Brauer