Three-time Sound Director of the Year puts talents on display at state fair
SALT LAKE CITY – A couple of decades ago, Jill Franzen Loden was trying to find her own way in the rodeo world.
Raised on a spread in central Wyoming, her family operates Powder River Rodeo, a livestock contracting company that produces rodeos across North America. She grew up around the game and has worked hand-in-hand with her folks, Hank and Lori, and her brother, John, and his wife, Cara.
While in high school, she dabbled in producing the sound for rodeos, which was helped considerably by the relationship the family had with the late Chad Nicholson, who spent his lifetime announcing rodeos and being a major part of each production.
Over her time in the business, she has gone from cassette tapes and compact discs to an elaborate digital system that allows her to adjust on the fly with the simple click of a computer mouse, and the results are fascinating.
She will return for the 21st time to serve as the sound director for 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.
“It’s been really fun to see that rodeo grow,” said Loden, a three-time winner of the PRCA’s Sound Director of the Year. “The rodeo itself is fun with the state fair, and it’s a fun little environment. It’s more of a city crowd, but they definitely seem to enjoy it.”
Rodeo is equal parts world-class competition and family-friendly entertainment. Utah’s Own Rodeo is unique in its timing, which just enhances the stakes. By being that time of year, it’s one of the last remaining events on ProRodeo’s regular season, thereby making each ride and run intriguing. Cowboys and cowgirls will be battling to finish the campaign among the top 15 on the money list in their respective events to secure qualifications to the National Finals Rodeo.
That’s why a who’s who of elite contestants will make their way to Salt Lake City. Loden takes all of that into consideration as she prepares to go to work inside the massive stadium at the Utah State Fairpark.
“I know the ins and outs of rodeo so well that when it came to putting music to rodeo, I wanted to have the timing,” she said. “I know when I’ve got the right sound to go with something. I love messing with the crowd and getting the crowd involved. Listening to the announcer, I want to be the exclamation point at the end of his sentence.
“I love to travel. I love rodeo. This job found me; I didn’t find it.”
It’s the perfect fit. Garrett Yerigan understands that. A two-time PRCA Announcer of the Year, Yerigan and Loden work together in Salt Lake City and have a powerful connection when it comes to putting on a show for the crowd.
“Jill is one of a kind,” said Yerigan, now in his third year of public address for Utah’s Own Rodeo. “There is nobody in this business that enjoys their job more than her. If you are able to watch her body language during the show, she’s rocking out just as much as anybody else in the grandstands, and I think that’s infectious.
“When she’s having fun like she always does, it portrays to my job, to the clown’s job and ultimately to the fans. There’s a reason she’s won the accolades she has, and it’s super great to be part of the fair with her.”