PECOS, Texas – Being athletic and agile has been a trademark for Allan Dessel.
That talent is why he first became a bullfighter, following in the footsteps of his father. He utilized those skills to work in the business of his dreams, professional rodeo. He was good, selected to work several championship events.
He was still pretty young when Dessel decided to double-dip to open the doors for opportunities to work as either a bullfighter or rodeo clown. As the years have passed, he’s focused on the latter and will make his way to this year’s West of the Pecos Rodeo, set for 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 25-Saturday, June 28, at Buck Jackson Arena in Pecos.
“I feel like my walk-and-talk (comedy) is really strong, but my dance act is very much crowd-participation,” said Dessel of Paullina, Iowa, in the state’s northwestern corner. “It’s not a classical clown act at all. I do dance evolution. I do every major dance hit, starting with the Charleston all the way up to now, and I do it for four minutes.
“I don’t wear a mic, so I don’t say anything during the dance. We just play music, and I dance. It’s kind of like being in a small bar, and you always have fun in a small bar. If there’s one person in a small bar having fun, then you’re all having fun.”
Dessel makes it fun, for himself and for the audience. The musical variety not only sparks nostalgia, but it helps energize the crowd. That’s what entertainers do. That’s a specialty for Dessel, who will be making his first appearance inside Buck Jackson Arena, home of the “World’s First Rodeo.”
“I’m a big believer that you’ve got to remember where we came from, because history repeats itself,” he said. “It’s very important for me to be part of those longstanding rodeos. I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to work something like that.
“Remembering where you came from – whether it’s rodeo or your family or whatever – is always important. When you get the opportunity to work a rodeo that’s as longstanding as Pecos, it’s very humbling.”
It’s also a chance to showcase his talent. When he opted to become a clown, he made the decision to study under John Harrison, one of the most distinguished entertainers in rodeo today. Each of the past two years, Harrison has been named the PRCA Comedy Act of the Year, the Coors Man in the Can and the PRCA Clown/Barrelman of the Year. He was the right man to help Dessel make the transition.
“I didn’t really see it until John said something, and then I started thinking about it,” Dessel said. “I was always the kind of guy that was willing to do whatever it took to make a rodeo work.”
He’s still doing it, and he’ll have the opportunity to make everything happen in Pecos, a rodeo that’s made some significant changes over the years. One big move the volunteer committee made this year was to nearly double the local dollars invested into the purse.
“I love the fact that they’re moving forward, trying to better the sport,” he said. “One day, all of us are going to quit rodeoing, but hopefully rodeo lives on a lot longer than the rest of us. By doing things like that, the rodeo committee in Pecos manages to ensure the legacy continues to live.”
In its heart, rodeo is a competition. It started in downtown Pecos more than 140 years ago with ranch hands testing their talents against one another. It’s continued because of that foundation.
For most folks, though, rodeo is a night out on the town. It’s a chance to see some great competition while also being entertained. Dessel helps with that, providing his own agility and ability to not only make rodeo fans relive a little musical history but also help put the smiles on the faces in the crowd.
“It’s fun, and that dance act is fun for me to do,” Dessel said. “I enjoy it, and I want everyone else to enjoy it, too.”