Ronald Jones and I test the Slingshot ride. Screenshot from video by Ronald Jones for Houston Press.
I pitched the idea of covering the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to Houston Press Editor Margaret Downing, who liked the idea and called me their roving Rodeo reporter. I could cover everything except for music, food and star entertainers (because other staff members were taking care of those topics), as well as anything I wasn’t directly involved with as a volunteer (namely, parade and school art).
Working around my Rodeo volunteer shifts and full-time job, I was able to write a few blog posts and provided print coverage for video assignments. Ronald Jones, their videographer, was fun to work with and did a great job with gathering visuals, even when the assignments seemed a little vague. There were several more stories I wanted to write, and one I accepted a kill fee for, but after 20 days, everyone in Houston — including the volunteers — is a little Rodeo-d out.
“The Trail Rides Head Into Downtown Houston,” Houston Press, February 27, 2015.
“[Video] Adrenaline Junkies: Scariest Rides at the Rodeo Carnival, Houston Press, March 6, 2015.
“[Video] Scenes from the Longhorn Showdown,” Houston Press, March 13, 2015.