Brinson James: A Rising Star in Professional Bull Riding
NASHVILLE – The atmosphere at Bridesgain Arena on Friday nights during the Stampede era is something else—electric, really. Sure, it’s exhilarating to witness world-class athletes face off against the nearly two-ton Backing Bulls. But if you ask anyone there, they’d probably tell you it’s Brinson James who lights up the crowd.
Some might refer to him as a rodeo clown, and yes, that’s part of what he does. But honestly, to me, professional bull riding (PBR) is more of a serious sport than a traditional rodeo. Rodeos are about entertainment; PBR is an intense athletic competition. At the heart of it, Brinson James is an entertainer—his energy is contagious.
“It’s the best job, absolutely,” James shared. “The bull riders feel I’m part of their team. When the crowd goes wild, they can ride better. So I see my role as hyping the crowd, making sure everyone knows this is the best show you can see.”
Brinson James: Born for the Spotlight
Hailing from Florida, James feels like he was meant for this line of work. His father, “Hollywood” Harris, spent nearly four decades as a rodeo clown. They traveled the country together, performing as a father-son duo.
“Growing up, I was known as ‘Booger Head.’ That was my rodeo clown name. So it was Hollywood and Booger Head dominating the stage together,” James recalled. “For 18 years, we hit various rodeos, the PBR circuit, and even made it to Canada.”
He chuckled when reminiscing about his nickname. “No one in Florida knows me as ‘Brinson James.’ To them, I’m still Booger Head—and I love it. It’s definitely a part of who I am.”
The family’s legacy in bull riding runs deep. His dad performed in the PBR World Finals in 1994, and James often found himself staring at his father’s championship buckle. “My dad was a star back then. Flint Rasmussen, the legendary barrelman, was just starting to make waves. So I grew up idolizing that buckle, dreaming about it since I was around 10 or 11,” he recalled, proudly. “Last year, I made that dream a reality, earning my own buckle at the age of 30.”
From “Booger Head” to an Acclaimed PBR Entertainer
By the time he turned 12, James was already taking the stage with his father. At just 17, he got a shot at running the show on his own.
“PBR Canada hired my dad and me for all their events back in 2012,” he explained. “Our music director, Richard Jones, had seen my dad in action countless times and wanted us as a team. But my dad had a broken leg and couldn’t perform.”
That unfortunate circumstance catapulted James’s career from “Booger Head the Rodeo Clown” to a recognized figure in the PBR world. It was a transition that took some getting used to, but he adapted well.
“There’s a significant difference between a rodeo clown and a PBR entertainer,” James noted. “It took time to find my footing.”
The Thrill of Being in the Limelight
Now at 31, James has ticked off every item on his entertainer’s bucket list—from debuting at the PBR World Finals to performing throughout Canada and the US, all while carving out his unique identity separate from his father’s legacy.
And let’s not forget his dogs—they’ve become an integral part of the show. Re-Ride and Cheddar, affectionately dubbed “WonderDog,” have wowed the audience with tricks like Frisbee catches and barrel jumps during performances.
As for James, the excitement never seems to fade. “The crowd is where the magic happens,” he said. “I thrive on that energy. In Nashville, for instance, everyone is here to have a good time—screaming, dancing, and just enjoying life. That engagement is the highlight for me. I walk out and encourage the audience to join in on the fun, and they usually do.”
When asked about what this career means to him, his answer is immediate: “This is definitely the only job I’ve ever had; perhaps it’s the only job I’ll ever need. It’s unbelievable.”
