Merritt, Landis to showcase their talents during Utah’s Own Rodeo
SALT LAKE CITY – Matt Merritt and Donnie Landis have played on some of the biggest stages of rodeo, but there’s something unique about being at the Utah State Fair.
“In that part of America, there are some great rodeo fans,” said Merritt, who will be one of two rodeo clowns entertaining the crowds that pack the stands at Utah’s Own Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, and Saturday, Sept. 7, with the final performance at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, in the Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairpark in Salt Lake City. Tickets can be purchased at UtahStateFair.com/tickets.
“Some of the best places to rodeo are in Utah. In Austin, Texas, everybody on the street corner is a team roper, and they think they know about rodeo in a lot of places, but they don’t watch or cheer for it there. In Salt Lake, you get a good mix of rodeo fans and novelty fans, so you get a good, loud audience that makes the rodeo that much better.”
Merritt will show off his talents during the Friday and Saturday performances, while Landis will take over controls for the final performance the following Monday. They each bring unique talents and experiences; Landis has been clowning for more than 50 years and has twice been selected as the barrelman at the National Finals Rodeo, the sport’s grand finale that takes place each December at Las Vegas.
Merritt has been recognized multiple times as one of the elite entertainers in ProRodeo, having been nominated for PRCA Clown of the Year. He’s traveled extensively over the course of his career, and though he doesn’t have the miles or the years as that of Landis, Merritt has a distinct flavor to working a crowd while also understanding the importance of a rodeo production.
“My comedy is definitely off the hip,” Merritt said. “I have gimmicks that I use, but typically what I’m saying and what I’m doing is off the cuff.
“I tried telling jokes I found on the internet. They’re funny, and they have a punch line. I had a car act, and I had a dog that dug holes and did all these things. I realized that as soon as I started those acts that people would kind of turn me off because they had a phone in their hand, and they knew there was a joke coming, So, I just started shooting from the hip.”
It’s paid off in many ways. Events like Utah’s Own Rodeo can be a major drawing card, especially for families looking for quality entertainment at low cost. While most major sports are now charging families hundreds of dollars for a night out, rodeo is keeping its prices affordable so more people can enjoy the show.
“Rodeo is the last affordable sport or venue of any kind, and families get to come and experience just the real joy of watching what we do,” said Merritt, originally from northern Louisiana but now living in North Carolina. “Where I’m from, rodeo was like any other sport like baseball, football or basketball. It wasn’t crazy or different or weird, so my buddies rode bulls, and I dabbled in steer riding and chute-dogging when I was a little kid.”
That same phrase can be heard in the Beehive State. The popularity of rodeo helped create the arena at the Utah State Fairpark. The stadium seats more than 10,000 people. It’s the perfect setting to help get fans into the action, which will feature many of the top cowboys and cowgirls in ProRodeo.
“It’s one thing for us to realize what a classy facility it is,” Merritt said. “It is probably one of the nicest places in rodeo. The audience gets to feel like they’re indoors while we get to feel like we’re outdoors and free, all that rodeo is supposed to represent.”
The state’s history in the sport is strong, and Utah’s Own Rodeo is just carrying on a longstanding tradition.