Newly minted Hall of Famer Keith Isley gives advice to next generation of specialty acts

More than three decades after purchasing his PRCA card, Keith Isley, a 2026 ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductee, built a career on making people laugh while never losing sight of who the audience came to see.

Growing up in Reidsville, N.C., Isley entered his first junior rodeos at 15, competing in bareback riding and bull riding while also trying his hand at bullfighting. Before long, he realized he enjoyed protecting cowboys in the arena more than competing himself, a realization that ultimately launched a career spanning more than five decades and culminating with induction into the 2026 ProRodeo Hall of Fame class.

Ironically, the man who would become one of rodeo’s most decorated clowns never intended to tell jokes.

Naturally shy, Isley found performing in front of large crowds intimidating. That changed when a rodeo clown suffered a dislocated shoulder during a rodeo where Isley was working as a bullfighter. As the only bullfighter already wearing makeup, he was asked to step into the entertainment role. The oversized pants and clown makeup quickly became what Isley described as a “comfort shield” between himself and the audience.

As his confidence grew, so did his act, evolving into a blend of comedy, trick roping, trick riding, animal acts and audience interaction that took him to rodeos across the continental United States, Canada and even to Puerto Rico.

Looking back, Isley’s advice for aspiring rodeo entertainers closely mirrors the path that carried him to the Hall of Fame.

“Start with maybe junior rodeos, high school rodeos, some smaller stuff like that,” Isley said. “Get used to doing what you’re doing. Get comfortable with it.”

He also encourages young entertainers to separate themselves from the crowd while remembering the spotlight belongs to the contestants.

“Try to have something different than everybody else, if that’s possible in any way,” he said. “Don’t overdo it… They’re not there just to see you. You’re there to fill some dead time.”

The philosophy helped define a career that included seven Wrangler National Finals Rodeo appearances, six consecutive PRCA Clown of the Year titles, multiple Comedy Act and Specialty Act of the Year honors and numerous Coors “Man in the Can” awards. Yet for Isley, success has never been achieved alone.

“Make sure that your announcer that you’re working with, if you’re just getting started, will help you,” he said. “Everybody had to start at some point.”

Rather than trying to navigate the profession alone, Isley encourages young performers to seek guidance from those who came before them.

“Call people,” he said. “Ask for help.”

Although Isley retired from full-time PRORODEO in December 2024, the philosophy that guided his Hall of Fame career remains unchanged. After more than 50 years in rodeo, his final piece of advice is as simple as it is timeless.

“Make sure you keep your stuff clean, family-oriented,” he said. “And have fun.”

-PRCA