The Voices and Crew for the 2026 Wrangler NFR Are Set

The contestants may still be fighting for their spots in Las Vegas, but another important piece of the 2026 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo is officially in place.

The PRCA has announced the contract personnel selected for the Wrangler NFR, scheduled for Dec. 3-12 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, along with the personnel for the National Finals Steer Roping, set for Nov. 13-14 at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Kansas.

Behind the microphones at the NFR will be three familiar voices: Wayne Brooks, Roger Mooney and Anthony Lucia, with ProRodeo Hall of Famer Bob Tallman serving as special announcer.

Experience will be plentiful in the announcer booth. Brooks will make his 14th NFR appearance, while Mooney returns for his 10th. Lucia, the 2023, 2024 and 2025 PRCA Announcer of the Year, will make his second appearance at the Finals.

But putting on 10 nights of the biggest rodeo in the PRCA takes far more than the voices fans hear over the speakers.

John Barnes returns as livestock superintendent for an impressive 21st consecutive NFR, joined by assistant livestock superintendent Austin Rudolf and saddle horse boss Raina Hudson.

The chute bosses tasked with keeping things moving behind the scenes include Tony Amaral handling the timed events, Andy Hilton at the tripping gate and Tom Neuens overseeing the roughstock.

Another familiar face returns to the NFR office as ProRodeo Hall of Famer Sunni Deb Backstrom serves as secretary. The selection marks her 21st consecutive year in the position. Jennie Murray returns for her second year as assistant secretary.

Timing duties will belong to Vicki Pack, Sharon Bernhard and Kris Fleener. Pack returns for her second year, Bernhard makes her first appearance and Fleener returns for a third.

Brad Narducci has been selected as music director, with Jersey Jake Ostrum serving as assistant music director. Specialty acts for the 2026 Finals will feature Rider and Bethany Kiesner and Shelby Pierson.

The PRCA also announced the crew selected for the National Finals Steer Roping.

Steve Kenyon and Kory Koeth will handle announcing duties in Mulvane. It will be Kenyon’s second NFSR appearance and his first since 2023, while Koeth returns for the third consecutive year.

John Gwatney returns as chute boss for the 17th consecutive time, while Clint Hale will serve as pickup man and Shawna Ray as secretary. Jayme Pemberton and Katie Rumford have been selected as timers, Jesse Knudsen will serve as music director and Madison Schalla will provide the specialty act.

The Top 15 races may still be unfolding as September comes to a close, but the crews responsible for helping bring professional rodeo’s championship events to life now have their assignments.

From the announcers behind the microphones to the personnel working the chutes, livestock, timing and arena floor, the stage is being set for another December of championship rodeo.