Equifest Program 2021

ANNOUNCERS

Mark Evans

Brett Wellden

Announcer Brett Wellden is a former rodeo contestant that has competed in bull riding, team roping, and bareback bronc riding. After many years of competition, he was presented with an offer to announce several rodeos. It was an offer that changed his life! Over the last two decades, he has become one of the most entertaining announcers in the rodeo and equine event industry. He has worked everything from the small- est amateur rodeo, livestock and horse shows, to large scale PBRs. He has been selected several times as a finals announcer for multiple associations and has received awards for his skill behind the mic. Brett is a former United States Marine with combat service which is reflected in his patriotic openings at events. He has also served 27+ years as a law enforcement officer in the Oklahoma City Metro area, mainly working narcotics cases. Brett lives in Guthrie, OK with his family. He travels with his kids, who have become three of the rockin'est sound technicians in all of pro rodeo! Brett has a strong faith in God and a profound love of this country and the heritage of the American cowboy.

Growing up on the ranch his granddad worked for, Mark became interested in horses, cattle, and rodeo. From a very young age, Mark was horseback helping his granddad. All through school, that is all he wanted to do. In school he started learning cowboy poetry where he was asked to perform at several organizations, benefits, and banquets. Seems he has always had the gift of gab. When old enough to start rodeoing, he wanted to ride bulls. He did not do well at being a bull rider, so he tried to become a bull fighter. Then, one day he realized he would be much better off using his God given talent to talk about the sport rather than doing it. He quickly found out he would last a lot longer and get paid for it too! It didn’t take long for Mark to find success in this trade. In 2006, he was selected at the Cowboys Regional Rodeo Association Announcer of the Year! In 2009, he joined the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association where he has worked several PRCA Rodeos for several years. In 2011, he was selected to work as the music director for the International Finals Rodeo where he has continued for 10 consecutive years. In 2016, Mark was chosen to work the Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo as music director. In 2018 he was selected to work as music director for the Columbia River Circuit Finals Rodeo and that same year was voted on by his peers to be named PRCA Top 5 Music Director of the Year. Mark states that he owes it all to his Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ, and he wouldn’t be here today if not for Him.

2021 EquiFest of Kansas Official Program v 27