Lifetime Leaders of Rodeo & Ranching Rodeo Ranching Great Westerner Western Entertaiment & Arts Rodeo Producers & Livestock Special Achievement Cowboy Long Rider Legacy Award

Western Entertainment & Arts

James C. Taillon
2001 Hall of Fame Western Arts and Entertainment Inductee

  James Cyril "Cy" Taillon, the "golden voice of professional rode," was born October 18, 1907, northeast of Cavalier. The youngest of 10 children of Eli and Philomine (Dumas) Taillon, he grew up helping with farm chores and horse-powered fieldwork, while enjoying card games, horse-drawn skiing, baseball and his family's musical recreation.

  Cy was a violinist at age six and also learned to play the piano, guitar, tenor banjo and xylophone. Music and microphone prowess steered Cy into radio announcing. Rodeo producer Leo Cremer of Big Timber, Montana, lured him from radio to rodeo. Cy said in a September 1960 Western Horseman article, "Leo kept telling me it could be a challenging and profitable field. I told Leo I'd do six rodeos for him through the summer. Instead, I wound up with engagements extending over 10 months, including such rodeos as the one at Chicago Stadium. By then, I was sold on my job."

  Cy worked with Cremer until he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942. After an honorable discharge in 1945, he picked up in rodeo where he had left off. The Rodeo Sports wrote, "Cy pioneered the 'straight man' style of announcing in preference to the old style of 'corn comedy' prevalent when he took his first whack at the rodeo game, entering the bareback riding at Minot, N.D., in 1927."

  Cy said, "I always swore if I ever announced a rodeo I'd try to present the rodeo cowboy as an athlete instead of as a bum. I want(ed) to explain their way of life, their standard of manhood, their patriotism." The acceptance of his announcing style was his favorite accomplishment. Cy's clear, concise commentary, precise grammar and distinguished, well-groomed appearance brought dignity to rodeo.

  He announced his first National Finals Rodeo in 1959, going on to do it eight more times. He also announced the Denver national Western for 33 consecutive years and at the San Francisco Cow Palace for 30 years. In 1965, he was invited to announce the Royal Easter Show at Sydney, Australia.

  Cy was named Rodeo's Man of the Year in 1965 and received the International Rodeo Management Award during the 1966 National Western.