ProRodeo Announcers, Hadley Barrett & Randy Corley

  

Announcer, Hadley Barrett                                       Announcer, Randy Corley

The duo of Hadley Barrett and Randy Corley announced the Buffalo Bill Rodeo.

Neither man is a stranger to the Wild West Arena.  Hadley Barrett, who was born and raised in North Platte, has been announcing the rodeo since 1964, with Corley joinning in later.

The unique thing about the tandem announcers is that they are related by marriage.  Corley is married to Hadley’s daughter, Michelle.  The two are good friends, Barrett says.  “We were friends before he married my daughter and we made a vow to not let marriage screw up the friendship.  It hasn’t.”

Barrett, who is in the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, works about a half dozen rodeos a year with his son-in-law.  “I enjoy it.  He’s good to work with, and we understand each other.”

Barrett has only lived two places in his life:  North Platte and his present home of Kersey, Colorado.  Corley lives in Silverdale, Washington.

People in Nebraska and across the Midwest remember Barrett as much for his country band as they do for his pro rodeo announcing.  He was part of the band from the 1950′s through the ’80′s, and “rarely do I go anywhere that somebody doesn’t ask me about the band.”

Barrett is a five time PRCA Announcer of the Year, and has announced the National Finals Rodeo five times.  Corley has been selected ten times as the PRCA Announcer of the Year, and has served as NFR announcer eight times and twice as alternate.

The smooth manner by which Randy Corley portrays the action taking place in the arena has made him one of the top announcers on the road today.  His friendliness will make you feel as if he is sitting right next to you discussing the rodeo.  His enthusiasm and excitement as the level of competition rises, will have you sitting on the edge of your seat.  All of these attributes have earned him numerous awards and honors over the past 32 years of announcing rodeos.

At the top of these awards would have to be the title of “Announcer of the Year,” which he has been awarded for a record setting ten years.  He has announced the Dodge National Circuit Finals and the various Cup Finales and Playoff Series throughout the various formats of competition set forth by the PRCA.  He has also had the honor of being selected for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo ten times.  Following each performance of the WNFR, he can be found on stage at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa at the popular Montana Silversmith “Go Round Award Presentation.”

Now that their children are grown, Randy’s wife, Michelle, joins him on the road, often working as a PRCA timer.  He enjoys what free time he has on the golf course and even manages to head across the Puget Sound for a Seahawk or Mariner game!

Corley and his wife have three daughters and a son.  Barrett and his wife Lee have five daughters, including Michelle, and a son, Lee.