Ronnie Dunn

PENDLETON — A familiar voice in country music will take the stage at the Round-Up & Happy Canyon Concert on September 10. Ronnie Dunn, who made his mark as half of the duo Brooks & Dunn will be the starring act at the concert that kicks off a week of festivities. Tickets will go on sale to the public on May 19.

“We are excited that we’re able to bring such a high quality star to the Happy Canyon Arena,” Happy Canyon Director Michael Corey said in announcing the entertainment. “I am sure people will line up to buy tickets for an event like this.”

His concert committee co-chairman, Round-Up Director Tygh Campbell agreed.

“We are excited to offer people a chance to enjoy a giant star’s music in the intimate, outdoor setting of the Happy Canyon Arena,” he said.

Dunn was born in Coleman, Texas to a truck-driving, country-music-loving father and a conservative, church-going mother, according to his biography. Music remained a constant in a youth that was more like a winding road from west Texas to New Mexico, Arkansas and Oklahoma. In a 12-year span he attended a total of 13 schools.

Ronnie Dunn’s musical history speaks for itself. He has twice been named BMI country songwriter of the year and was Billboard magazine’s best country songwriter in 1996. In addition, he was named the Gospel Music Association songwriter of the year for “Believe.” He has received 23 BMI Million Airplay awards for songs he wrote that have attained 1-million or more plays on radio stations. He has also been inducted into the Arkansas Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 2006.

The partnership that was Brooks & Dunn has seen the duo living at the top of the country music singles charts 23 times for songs that are now classics like “Boot Scootin Boogie,” “Only In America,” and “Brand New Man.”  They are the industry’s most award-winning pair and have been named entertainers of the year four times. They have garnered 20 Country Music Association awards and 28 Academy of Music, more than any other artist in ACM history, having surpassed Merle Haggard’s total in 2005. Brooks and Dunn said goodbye to their fans during the 2010 Last Rodeo Tour. They are both pursuing careers as solo artists.

Tickets for the concert will be available at the Round-Up and Happy Canyon office on Southwest Court Avenue at 8:30 a.m. May 19. They will also be available at all Ticket Master outlets, with a major credit card by calling 800-457-6336, 541-276-2553 or 800-745-3000  or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Ticket prices will be announced closer to the sale date.

Written by Terry Murray

Category: Events, Features

Chris Cockburn of Pendleton was elected president of the Happy Canyon Board of Directors last night at the annual meeting of the Happy Canyon Company. Cockburn, who is a partner at Fife, Cockburn CPAs LLP, previously served as vice president and the director of tickets and programs. In addition, two new members were named to the board. They are Tanner Hawkins and Kelsy Garton, both of Pendleton.

“It is a great honor to serve as president of Happy Canyon,” Cockburn said. “I am excited about what the upcoming year holds for Happy Canyon and hope that we can maintain some of the momentum from 2010 going into this year’s Night Show.”

Tanner Hawkins comes from a long line of Happy Canyon directors. His grandfather Don, his father Tim, and his uncles Kelly and Wray Hawkins have all served on the board. He was in the show for 14 years. After attending college he returned to his hometown where he has lived and worked on the family ranch for the past five years.

Kelsy Garton is a graduate of Pendleton High School who began work in the tree business 20 years ago and has operated his own tree service for the past 10 years. He has been a Happy Canyon volunteer for 20 years in many capacities, most recently running the west gate.  He and his wife Kristan live in Pendleton with their two daughters, Aspen and Sauren.

“I’m excited to welcome our two new directors,” Cockburn said. “In my eight years as a Happy Canyon director I continue to be impressed by the quality of the volunteers who make the Night Show an exciting reality every year.”

Hawkins will take on the job of bar director, a job previously held by Corey Neistadt of Pendleton, who is now the director of tickets and programs.  Garton will be the new Indian and princesses director, taking over for Harper Jones of Pendleton who has moved to the properties directorship.

Category: Features, People & Volunteers

Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Night Show, are proud to present the BULL PEN!

For those of you who wanted to go to the PBR but couldn’t get tickets – You won’t have to miss out!  We have the BULL PEN!

The BULL PEN is set up on the back side of  the Happy Canyon arena.  You will be able to watch the PBR LIVE on the Big Screen, Enjoy Live Music after the PBR each night & enjoy all the action & excitement that PBR has to offer!  GATES OPEN AT 5:30

Tickets are $10.00 and available for Monday & Tuesday Night (September 13 & 14th)    Tickets may be purchased AT THE GATE, Gate Opens At 5:30

Category: News & Updates

The Pendleton Round-Up STILL HAS TICKETS for Wednesday & Thursday for our Centennial rodeo.

Wednesday and Thursday offer a FAMILY DAY PLAN, for a total of $75.00 any couple and their minor children can attend The Round-Up, a Barbecue dinner immediately following in the Roy Raley Park and the Happy Canyon Pageant.   Round-Up seating is in sections J through Q.  Round-Up and Happy Canyon tickets can be for either Wednesday,  September 15th or Thursday, September 16th.       The Barbecue is available on Wednesday ONLY.  *Family is limited to 8 persons.

Wednesday, September 15 is SENIOR CITIZENS’ DAY. $25.00 Senior Package includes tickets for Round-Up, a Barbecue dinner immediately following in Roy Raly Park, and the Happy Canyon Pageant.  Tickets may also be purchased separately.  Round-Up – $10.00 each.  (Sections: A,B and C in the South Grandstand): Barbecue-$5.00 each; Happy Canyon – $10.00 each (Starting Rows 10-22)  Discounted tickets for Thursday,  September 16th Round-Up and Happy Canyon are also available.  BBQ is on Wednesday only.

KIDS DAY is Thursday, September 16th  For $1.00 kids 18 and under can purchase a general admission ticket.

Thursday, September 16th: Thursday 4 Pack Includes 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs and 4 cokes: $40.00 Savings of 50%

HAPPY CANYON Tickets ARE AVAILABLE each night, Wednesday through Saturday. Rows 1-9 are $15.00  Rows 10-30 are $13.00, Rows 31-40 are $10.00

Call the office at 541-276-2553  or 1-800-457-6336 to order tickets

WE ARE SOLD OUT: Friday and Saturday for the Round-Up is SOLD OUT               Monday & Tuesday for PBR is SOLD OUT

Category: News & Updates

Kenny Rogers and The Oak Ridge Boys will headline the Saturday, Sept. 11^th at the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Concert.  The annual concert is the opening of the week-long activities of the world famous Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon..

Round-Up publicity director Carl Culham talks about these iconic groups with reverence.

“There’s over 100 years of performance experience and success between these two acts,” he said.  “It’s very appropriate for the Round-Up centennial year to have artists like these that know how to put on a great show.  We are excited to be able to bring these legends to Pendleton.”

Happy Canyon publicity director Michael Corey agrees.

“When you think of country music icons, Kenny Rogers and the Oak Ridge Boys are at or near the top of the list,” he said.  “These artists have seen it all, done it all, and are now coming to Round-Up and Happy Canyon to kick off a special year.  We’re really looking forward to what will be literally, a legendary show.”

Tickets for the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Concert are still available.  People are invited to call the Round-Up/Happy Canyon ticket office at 1-800-457-6336, 541-276-2553, Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000, or log on to www.ticketmaster.com.

Category: Events, News & Updates

The Happy Canyon Foundation has awarded $750 college scholarships to five seniors at Pendleton High School. The students are Taylor Jerome, Jennifer O’Grady, Kyle Rossi, Christopher Stuvland and Jake Talbot.

“These young people illustrate we will be leaving Happy Canyon in capable hands in future years,” Scholarship Committee Chairman Kevin Porter said. “They symbolize the volunteer spirit that makes the show work, year after year. I only wish we had more funds because there are many deserving young people out there.”

Category: News & Updates

Master of ceremonies Bob Blanc lauds Happy Canyon Appreciation Award winners Marjorie Waheneka and Greg Duchek.

The Happy Canyon Board of Directors honored two long-time volunteers on April 19 in the Happy Canyon Room of the Pendleton Convention Center. This year’s winners of the coveted Happy Canyon Appreciation Award are Marjorie Waheneka and Greg Duchek. Master of Ceremonies Bob Blanc presented both with plaques and flowers and expressed the appreciation of the directors for years of hard work as volunteers for the Happy Canyon Night Show.

The ceremony was open to the public and friends and relatives also sang the praises of the hard working volunteers.

“This award symbolizes the volunteerism and traditions of Happy Canyon,” Blanc said. “This is an evening of thanks and appreciation for two special people who have given Continue reading…

Category: News & Updates, People & Volunteers

PENDLETON,OR- The Happy Canyon Board of Directors has made some changes to the entertainment after the Happy Canyon Night Show.  The gaming area previously located in the Happy Canyon Room, will be expanded to the main hall of the Pendleton Convention Center.  Other activities included will be enhanced beverage service, peanuts on the floor, a live band every night and a mechanical bull.

The new arrangement has been given the name “Goldie’s Place at the Canyon.”

Happy Canyon publicity director Michael Corey likes the changes.

“We’re looking for ways to expand the entertainment we provide for everyone that comes to Happy Canyon,” he said.  “In utilizing the entire hall at the convention Continue reading…

Category: News & Updates

Efforts for large-scale improvements at both the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon grounds received a major boost with a with a $500,000 grant from the Meyer Memorial Trust. $300,000 of the funding will support the Pendleton Round-Up Centennial Grandstand project and $200,000 of the funding will support the reconstruction of the roof structure at Happy Canyon that was previously removed for safety reasons. The Round-Up grant is contingent upon a $300,000 community fundraising match.

The Pendleton Round-Up Association has developed plans to replace the west end seating with new grandstands that will complement the existing historic structures while providing cover and adding convenience and safety features to the complex. Happy Canyon is working on a multi-phase grounds improvement project with the first Continue reading…

Category: News & Updates