Press room
welcome to our press room and the very latest press news about AGRA
Country Idol 2012
It's back and better than before! The RRRR and SWAY Events are partners again and bringing you a chance to fame and stardom: Country Idol 2012.
Beginning Sunday, December 18, Phoenix area community bars are hosting the Preliminary competitions. The winner of each Preliminary will go on to compete at the Country Idol Finale Friday, February 17 at 8pm at Rawhide Pavilion.
Click on swayevents.com for complete rules and information. See y'all soon - and Good Luck!
AGRA is proud to announce the winning artist of its 2012 poster design contest: Ron Maldonado. Check out his rodeo artwork... And congratulations Ron!
AGRA website wins 2nd place
The annual review of nearly 20 gay rodeo websites took place in August 2011 by the previous IGRA webmaster, Frank Harrell.
At the 2011 IGRA Convention in San Diego, CA in November, the Arizona Gay Rodeo Association website, www.agra-phx.com was awarded: 2nd PLACE!
Congratulations to AGRA's outstanding webmaster, Gino Meriano, and his team, who have donated countless hours of blood, sweat, and tears to the Arizona non-profit association.
Thanks to Gino and the team's guidance, innovation, persistence and gracious patience, AGRA's website rating has improved from near the bottom to 5th PLACE in 2010 to 2nd PLACE in 2011.
Way to go, Arizona Gay Rodeo Association --- and Congratulations!
QUEENS & COWBOYS: A Straight Year on the Gay Rodeo A Documentary project in Los Angeles, CA by Matt Livadar
The Arizona Gay Rodeo Association is pleased to announce it is accepting entries for this year's Royalty Competition. Please click on the link to our website for the guidelines and entry form.
Announcing 2011 AGRA Royalty Competition
The Arizona Gay Rodeo Association (AGRA) invites you to compete in this year's Royalty Competition! The contest includes raising funds for an Arizona non-profit, funds for AGRA, plus a pageant evening Friday, September 16 @ 7pm.
This year's competition offers contestants streamlined eligibility and rules, which includes NO horseback riding! Contestant categories include, Mr AGRA (male in male attire), Ms AGRA (female in female attire), Miss AGRA (male in female attire) and MsTer AGRA (female in male attire).
Winners of each category will win $200 cash plus a fabulous prize package.
Contestant $25 entry fee, application, and non-profit paperwork are due to AGRA by Thursday, September 1. **Contest rules and application will be posted to the AGRA website shortly.
The AGRA Retreat/Training scheduled for July 23 has been postponed.
Postponed: Arizona Gay Rodeo Association will reschedule the event for a later time, so please check us out in facebook and on our website's press room, www.agra-phx.com
AGRA Retreat Information
We are planning an AGRA Retreat/Training for Saturday, July 23, 2011. Hours would be 9:00 am till 3:00 pm.
The retreat/training is open to anyone who wants to attend. AGRA Board Members and all AGRA Committee Chairpersons and committee members are especially encouraged to attend. The retreat should also be helpful to any AGRA member, and especially for anyone who might consider running for a board position or hopes to attend the IGRA Annual Convention.
For the retreat/training to be be successful and to justify any expenses, a reasonable number of people should participate.
So we can determine the feasibility of having the retreat/training, we need to receive written attendance confirmations. Therefore, if you will commit to attending and participating in the July 23 retreat/training, please send your response to Ron Trusley Click Here to Email Ron Responses must be received by 5:00 pm Wednesday, July 13, 2011.
Thank you.
Ron Trusley
AGRA Trustee
2011 Rodeo Volunteers Party
Attention Arizona Rodeo friends and fans! Arizona Gay Rodeo Association (A.G.R.A.) will be hosting the 2011 Rodeo Volunteers Party on Saturday, July 2.
At Charlie's Phoenix, A.G.R.A. is hosting a party to thank the many people who volunteered at the 2011 Road Runner Regional Rodeo. All those who helped to make the rodeo an event to remember are invited from 7:00-9:00pm for free food and great beer specials.
And after the party, another holiday tradition continues ---- Starting at 9:00pm, stay for the country fun at Charlie's with Pussy LaHoot, Claudia B and their friends at the Grand Ole Opry. They will be kicking it up with a great show on the patio, so come on down and get 2 parties for 1 during Independence Day weekend. See y'all Saturday night!
Kowboy Karaoke Gong Show
"All those bluegrass and yodeling lessons have paid off--" says Greg Gillum, PR Director of the Arizona Gay Rodeo Association.
Greg was one of many singing contestants who competed at the Kowboy Karaoke Gong Show last Thursday at Apollo's.
Hosted by Phoenix's Sexiest Bartender, Pussy LaHoot, the karaoke fun was part of a fundraising evening for the rodeo association. Their annual rodeo event in February was mostly washed and blown away by a huge winter storm. This left the rodeo in debt and feeling kind of desperate.
Rather than selling the ranch or the heirloom Fender guitar, the association has quickly raised money by holding fundraisers at Charlie's and Apollo's. Between these two shows, half the remaining deficit has now been earned.
Rodeo Director for 2011, George Immerso was impressed by the dedication of rodeo members as well as the talents of Apollo's regular karaoke contestants. Together, they pulled in buckets money through raffles, souvenirs sales, and karaoke gonging.
A big thank you to everyone who supported your local rodeo and competed at Apollo's on Thursday. You did a fantastic job - and we are honored.
General Membership Meeting Date Change
Due to conflicting events that would affect the General Membership Meeting originally scheduled for the 10th of April, the Board of Directors has determined that a change in the date of the meeting would be in the best interest of AGRA. Therefore, the new meeting date will be Sunday, April 3rd, at 4:00PM, at Charlie's. We look forward to seeing you there.
Pussy LaHoot Charity event
What songs do you sing in the shower? Are they retro Reba or Willie - or maybe Taylor or Kenny's hits?
If Country is your thing, join Pussy LaHoot for Kountry Karaoke at Apollo's.
Phoenix's Sexiest Bartender will be back at Apollo's on Thursday, March 31 at 9:30 to host Kowboy Karaoke -- in support of the 2011 Road Runner Regional Rodeo.
So come on down to Apollo's, bring your friends, and be a part of the show as we raise money for the Rodeo's five community charities!
Click Image to enlarge
Change to Coyotes event
COMPETE/AGRA Night with the Coyotes
Time
Tuesday, March 29 · 6:00pm - 10:00pm
Dallas Stars vs the Phoenix Coyotes
Location
Jobing.com Arena
9400 W Maryland Ave
Glendale, AZ
More Info:
The Date of our event has been changed to March 29. If you weren't able to join us previously because it was on Valentines day, problem solved!
****PLEASE NOTE: TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE TO GET THE SPECIAL PRICING****
The Coyotes reserved a BIG section just for Compete Sports Media and Arizona Gay Rodeo Association. Ticket prices for our event are now only $20 (normally $36).
To purchase tickets, please contact Matthew Audibert at 623-772-3225 or email him at Matthew.Audibert@phoenixco yotes.com
COMPETE and AGRA hope to make our presence VERY well known at this mainstream sports event. This event is ALL AGES!
12th Feb Benefit Night
Charlie's Phoenix and the Men of Charlie's are hosting a benefit for MOC and AGRA member Tam Keltner.
The benefit takes place Saturday evening, Feb 12 at Charlie's and is hosted by the Men of Charlie's.
Tam was hospitalized in December with a diabetic coma after suffering a terrible infection in his left leg. He had to have an amputation in order to save his life.
Tam has just returned home to continue his rehab there. With support from his friends, Tam is getting involved again in the Men of Charlie's and rodeo associations.
We wish him quick healing and a strong recovery.
The Gila River EMS
The Arizona Gay Rodeo Association and its Road Runner Regional 
Rodeo wish to recognize the special donation made by the Gila River Indian Community Emergency Medical Service to our rodeo event.
The Gila River EMS has generously donated the on-site emergency medical staff and equipment used during rodeo weekend at Rawhide Arena.
In order to provide prompt medical care to contestants and spectators, on-site EMS services are required at all IGRA sanctioned rodeo events.
AGRA gratefully acknowledges this considerable contribution and our partnership with the Gila River EMS.
Bar Crawl
In preparation for AGRA's Road Runner Regional Rodeo on February 18-20, 2011, you are invited to the bar crawl with drink specials for you and your friends. Here are the details:
Friday Feb 11, 2011. 8pm-1am starting at Charlie's at 8pm, returning to Charlie's by 1am
Tickets are $15 per person, per bar crawl, 21 years of age or older, and available for purchase at Charlie's or by contacting Gary Hatterman at hatterga@cox.net . We will not hold tickets, but can arrange to meet you for purchase.
AGRA and/or RRRR are not responsible for anyone's actions or accidents while on the bar crawl or at any bar location."
The Arizona Gay Rodeo Association (A.G.R.A.) is planning 2, yes 2, bar crawls in preparation for the 26th annual Road Runner Regional Rodeo in February.
On Friday, January 21 and Friday, February 11, the rodeo will be hosting a bar crawl from 8pm - 1am. Tickets will only be $15 per person and include discount drink prices as we visit 5 local bars each night! You need to be 21 years old or over to participate.
Bar schedule and ticket reservation information will be announced next week, so be sure to check back for A.G.R.A. posts and tweets. The Road Runner Regional Rodeo takes place Friday-Sunday, February 18-20, 2011. Rodeo tickets and details all here on the website
Arizona Gay Rodeo Association (A.G.R.A.) is proud to host its 26th year of rodeo at the Road Runner Regional Rodeo from Friday-Sunday, February 18-20, 2011 during Presidents' Day weekend.
On Friday night, Phoenix gathers for the Country Idol Finals music competition. On Saturday and Sunday, major rodeo events such as Junior Bull Riding and Poll-Bending - along with camp favorites like Wild Drag Race - take place both days. The location is Rawhide Arena at Rawhide Western Town on the Gila River Indian Community. Vendors, food, beverages, and entertainment will be located in and outside the Pavilion. Tickets are $15 each day, or both days for $25.
The arena and parking are located just south of Phoenix off I-10 exit 162, Wild Horse Pass Blvd. Drive 1 mile west to 48th St, turn left, and follow the signs. For tickets, sponsorships, RV reservations and more, log on to www.agra-phx.com and click on the RRRR Rodeo tab.
Just announced.......Dates for the Country Idol Preliminaries! 
Sunday, Jan 16th
BS West
Monday, Jan 17th
The Rock
Wednesday, Jan 19th
The Bunkhouse
Sunday, Jan 23rd
Cash Inn Country
Wednesday, Jan 26th
The Watering Hole
Friday, Jan 28th
Apollo's
Sunday, Jan 30th
Kobalt
Monday, Jan31st
Cherry Bar
Wednesday, Feb 2nd
Z Girl Club
Friday, Feb 4th
Rainbow Cactus
Friday, Feb 11th
Charlie's
More to come but for now, See you there
A.G.R.A.NIGHT
The Phoenix Coyotes are offering an exclusive offer to the friends of the Arizona Gay Rodeo Association which provides discounted tickets to our game on Monday, February 14th vs. the Washington Capitals.
With the Rodeo the following weekend, this exclusive offer allows you to save money and receive priority access to great seats. Plus $5 from Every Ticket will go to an official A.G.R.A. Rodeo Charity. To find out more simply click on the image to make bigger - click here
Coyotes Alert: FLASH!!!!!
The Road Runner Regional Rodeo (RRRR) is proud to announce our partnership with the Phoenix Coyotes National Hockey League team for 2011!
During RRRR rodeo week on Monday, February 14, 2011, the Phoenix Coyotes will face off against the Washington Capitals at Jobing.com arena in Glendale, Arizona. In addition, that night the Coyotes will be hosting the COMPETE Magazine Sports Night - and the Road Runner Regional Rodeo will be part of the event.
This partnership with Road Runner Regional Rodeo will include ticket and other promotional deals. Exclusive details for all you rodeo fans will be posted soon to our website... so keep checking our website as your Rodeo takes to the Ice!
IGRA Web Site Award - 5th Place 
Awarded to Arizona Gay Rodeo Association - Presented at the International Gay Rodeo Association 26th Annual Convention, November 12, 2010 in Reno, Nevada.
To Gino Meriano and the folks who volunteer their time and talent to AGRA's website, we humbly thank you!
Greg Gillum
Public Relations Director
Arizona Gay Rodeo Website take 5th place
Congratulations to Gino Meriano and the entire staff at www.udezignit.com for their hard work and dedication to our website, which recently launched the website into 5th place at the convention!! That's truly amazing! I cannot thank you guys enough for all that you do for AGRA! Michael
Updates and more from A.G.R.A. Public Relations :
This Sunday, AGRA is celebrating the holidays with its annual Days of Christmas Party and Show! At Charlie's on Dec 12 at 8pm, we are putting on the glitz with a sparkly show-- starring your AGRA Board and members. Don't miss the once-a-year turnabouts, special guests and other mayhem!
Tweet us! Friend us!
If you haven't already created a Twitter account to keep up with your Tom, Dick, and Harry's, just TWEET US, take 1 minute, and create your account. Then tweet your Arizona rodeo friends, like Suzie and Jean, by following AGRA. By doing that, you will be the FIRST to know the latest about Arizona Gay Rodeo.
And you can never have too many friends - especially facebook friends. So log back into that dormant facebook account and CLICK HERE to become a fan, get noticed, reconnect for the holidays.
Have you logged onto www.agra-phx.com this week? If you haven't, then you haven't seen our Host Hotels page. Just click on the RRRR Rodeo link and click on the "Host Hotels" badge. Our webmaster, Gino Meriano, has posted the details about staying with our beautiful hosts, Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino and the Radisson Chandler. For those of you desiring a downtown stay during February rodeo, our friends at Hilton Suites Phoenix are happy to oblige. Special thanks to our web "guru" Gino, of wiki.pinkapproved.com, for getting our webpages looking extra snappy while enjoying his Thanksgiving turkey here in Arizona.
Tickets! Get your tickets! Wow, we are already receiving online orders for RRRR tickets. Wherever you look on our website, you will find an orange "GET YOUR TICKETS NOW" button. Just click it for a ticket! Do it!
Vendors! You have found us. Just click on our Vendors tab and download your vendor info for the 2011 rodeo. Our premiere Vendor Coordinator, Cary, will serve all your (sales) needs.
Enjoy the holidays and see you all real soon -
Greg Gillum - Public Relations
Going to Rainbows Festival next weekend?
Arizona Gay Rodeo Association's Road Runner Regional Rodeo fans will be there with boots on and having a good ol' time with the cowboys.
Rainbows Festival takes place at Heritage Square, located at 7th St. and Monroe in downtown Phoenix. Saturday and Sunday, October 2-3 from 10am-6pm. Ample parking is available in the parking structure located just south of the Festival.
So stop by the Rodeo booth, say Howdy, and enter for prizes while you learn more about Gay Rodeo!
Did you hear the news?
Arizona Gay Rodeo Association (AGRA) donated over $7,000 to five community charities at its September meeting!
Recipients of the proceeds from AGRA's 2010 Road Runner Regional Rodeo are Joshua Tree, Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network (TIHAN), Susan G Komen of Phoenix, PFLAG of Phoenix, and Community Church of Hope. Congratulations to all!
AGRA is proud to support a diverse group of organizations that support members of our LGBT community throughout Arizona. To learn more about these charities, visit agra-phx.com and click here
Charities button.
The Arizona Gay Rodeo Association is proud to share a new video trailer, promoting its 2011 Road Runner Regional Rodeo. The Youtube video can be found through the rodeo website, click here. The next rodeo takes place Presidents' Day weekend, February 18-20, 2011.
In addition to details about the 2011 Rodeo, our website has also posted a new web gallery of over 500 high-quality images from this year's rodeo weekend. Check out the line dancing, Cowboy Karaoke, rodeo events, and the thousands of people that made this year's Road Runner Regional Rodeo the best one yet!
peaking of rodeo... our Rodeo Committee is looking for a few more good men and women to assist in planning and preparing the 2011 event. If you share some time, talent, or experience with our volunteers, we guarantee you will learn a lot and have a good time doing it. Contact our Rodeo Director, George Immerso, at rrrrodeodir2010@aol.com for more information
25 years on and the RRRRodeo still Rocks
The Arizona Gay Rodeo Association (A.G.R.A.) proudly hosted its 25th year of rodeo at the Road Runner Regional Rodeo, held Presidents' Day Weekend, 12th - 14th February 2010.
Rawhide Western Town was busy all weekend and the arena and pavilion quickly filled with excited spectators from around the country and across the globe, including England, Norway, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain to name but a few.
In addition to two days of traditional to camp rodeo events, visitors had the chance to enjoy a packed night at the finals of our first Country Idol competition.
Throughout the weekend the air was filled with live music, plenty of dancing, great food and even a Ferris wheel and gigantic slide which only added to the excitement and atmosphere.
A.G.R.A. thanks the rodeo contestants, host hotels, Rawhide, the many sponsors and vendors who supported our 25 th Anniversary Rodeo and a special warm thanks to all our volunteers who without their help the weekend would not have been possible. They made the rodeo run smoothly and gave everyone our warm sunny welcome to Phoenix. Terrific job, everyone!
Looking back over the years, it's still amazing to know that Arizona became the fifth state to host a gay rodeo and 25 Years later the rodeo is still going strong and this year's event unfolded into one of the most talked about events in Arizona.
In case you missed this year's fun, believe it or not the team are already planning for the 2011 RoadRunner Regional Rodeo. So be sure you don't miss out and book the weekend of the 18th - 20th February.
Information will be updated on a regular basis live on the website, so keep checking www.agra-phx.com
Memberships
Due to the recent vote at the December Membership Meeting the new Membership year has been extended to the last day of February each year. This will allow our memberships to be in conjunction with the new rodeo year. All current memberships will now run out on the last day of February instead of on Jan 31, 2010. Please don't forget to renew your membership. applications can be obtained just outside the AGRA Office, on the AGRA Web site or from any of the Board of Directors.
Our new year end has created a need to quickly establish a set of meetings for February. The Board of Directors will meet on 3 Feb 2010 at the Charlie's offices at 7:00pm. The General Membership Meeting will be held on 7 Feb 2010 on the Charlie's dance floor at 5:00pm. These dates will assist in sharing last minute information just before our RoadRunner Regional Rodeo on the 12-14th of Feb 2010. The Branding Iron will reflect the new dates as well.
AGRA Website achieves 6th position
Over the years AGRA has been placed between 16th and 29th place in the ranking for best websites
In 2008 AGRA and the team at Pink Weddings put in motion a marketing plan to launch a new website that was current and up-to-date for everyone visiting the website. In 2009 at the IGRA convention AGRA was awarded 6th place for best website. This amazing result has shown the change in AGRA and the ever increasing campaign to raise awareness.
Since the launch of the website, AGRA has added a gallery, press room, host hotels and can now be found on Face Book and Twitter
The team will continue to work harder and strive for 1st place in years to come
On Friday, 13 November, AGRA sent 6 delegates and 4 alternates to the 25th IGRA Convention in Toronto, Ontario Canada. The convention also hosted the 2010 IGRA Royalty Competition. Our local AGRA association sent two of its current royalty, Mr AGRA Travis James and Miss AGRA Ionna Doublewide aka Kyle Ross.
After competing in interview, horsemanship, 
Western wear, and entertainment, nine contestants from across North American nervously awaited the final judging results at Fly Bar.
AGRA is proud to announce that Travis won as 1st Runner Up as Mr. IGRA and Ionna was crowned Miss IGRA for 2010.
Congratulations to Travis and Ionna. We are very proud of you and commend your hard work and dedication at winning these achievements!
IGRA convention is starting today Thursday 12th November in Toronto.
AGRA has sent a full compliment of six delegates and five alternates to represent.
Rodeo Royalty, Candidates Announced
The Arizona Gay Rodeo Association (A.G.R.A.) is pleased to announce that six of its members are competing for sashes, buckles, and even a crown as 2010 A.G.R.A. Royalty.
At the 11 October rodeo membership meeting, Vice President Michael Butts introduced the candidates for 2010. Competing for Ms. A.G.R.A. are Vanessa Jimenez and Sharon Starks. For Mr. A.G.R.A., Michael Butts and Ferdy Quezada. For MsTer A.G.R.A., Christy Burnett, and for Miss A.G.R.A., Claudia B. (aka Joshua Sipe).
Rodeo Royalty represent their local rodeo association at fundraising events, community meetings, as well as compete in the annual International Gay Rodeo Association Royalty competition. At the local level, they are required to select and raise funds for a non-profit organization. In addition to using their stunning good looks and fashion sense, Royalty candidates also promote the Western lifestyle by competing in horsemanship.
Royalty judging will take place at Charlie's before the 2010 RoadRunner Regional Rodeo. A.G.R.A.'s 25th year of rodeo event takes place at Rawhide 12-14 February, 2010 during Presidents' Day weekend.
Thank you to everyone...
who helped with our rodeo booth at Rainbows Festival. We had record breaking sales this year. Since it was hard to find help with Tucson Pride we almost did not have a booth there.
At the last minute Jim Maher stepped up to the plate and took all of our rodeo t-shirts and bandanas and set up in Tucson. Jim said that Jason, Popper and Ed stopped by to help. If I missed anyone I'm sorry.
Thank you, guys, for helping out.
Our much anticipated Sponsorship Packet is done; Ferdy, Tim and I worked on this for many hours. We finished up at 11pm Thursday night as Ferdy was making the last changes to it. It should be up on the AGRA web site by today.
The Vendor Package is almost complete and will be on line soon.
Two of the host hotels are now up and on line. I just went on a tour of the new Wildhorse Pass Hoteland all I can say is WOW!!! The rooms are very nice and they have resteruants that will be open 24 hrs a day. They will be open by Oct 30th, 2009. The Grace Inn is also on board with us again. Many of you have stayed there in the past and know what a nice place it is. I'm working on a 3rd hotel so stay tuned!!!
We can still use help with Rodeo, so if you have the time please contact me. We sure can use you. Stay tuned for upcoming events and fundraisers George Immerso rrrrodeodir2010@aol.com
Rodeo Charities Receive Awards
18th August 2009
For Immediate Release from:
A.G.R.A. Public Relations Director Greg Gillum
At its monthly membership meet
ing on August 9, the Arizona Gay Rodeo Association (A.G.R.A.) awarded five Arizona non-profit organizations proceeds from the 2009 RoadRunner Regional Rodeo.
Representatives from each organization were invited to Charlie's bar in Phoenix to receive the rodeo donations. At a previous membership meeting, A.G.R.A. members voted to award the following:
TIHAN - $993.60, PFLAG-Phoenix - $1104.00, Joshua Tree Feeding Program - $1296.00, Susan G. Kohman for the Cure-Arizona - $638.40, Community Church of Hope-Phoenix - $768.00.
A.G.R.A. reminds the community that the RoadRunner Regional Rodeo will celebrate its Silver Anniversary when the event takes place Presidents' Day weekend, February 12-14, 2010. A.G.R.A. hosted its first rodeo in 1985, 25 years ago.
Groups or individuals interested in more information about the upcoming rodeo should contact George Immerso at 480-628-4949.
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