One-Armed Bandit to perform at Bullfights

ADA — The Chickasaw Nation announces the World Championship Rodeo Bullfight Finals and Concert to be held in the Pontotoc County Agri-plex in Ada.

Eight-time Specialty Act of the Year John Payne “The One Armed Bandit” will be on hand Friday, Oct. 23, and Saturday, Oct. 24, with his award-winning act. John S. Payne, the notorious “One Arm Bandit,” was born to a rancher in the oil-rich town of Shidler, Okla., April 4, 1953.

On June 12, 1973, after grabbing a hot wire, 7,200 volts of electricity ran through his body for 10 seconds. With fingers nearly burned off, Payne fell 25 feet.

His intestines were exposed and his left thigh burned to the bone. Payne received CPR and spent the next five weeks in the Tulsa burn center.

He checked himself out of the hospital and started breaking a horse he had bought during his time in the hospital.

Ranch life with four brothers taught Payne to “Get out of the way or get run over” and “Get tough or Die.”

His occupations have included the following: rancher, saloon owner, gambler, wild cattle puncher, and professional rodeo entertainer.

Beginning at 7 p.m. Friday the Crist Family Gospel Group takes the stage to entertain with their songs of all types of music including Southern Gospel.

The Crist Family is considered to be one of the fastest rising family groups in gospel music today. The Crist Family is always changing its look in concert from duets to trios to quartets. Forty years separate the youngest member to the oldest member.

The group began part-time in 1987. After 17 years in ministry, this family group sold all they had, quit their jobs and said good-bye to their extended families and relocated from Seattle, Wash., to Knoxville, Tenn. They signed a major recording contract with Horizon records and were picked by the industry leading Harper Agency for booking management.

They have recorded six CDs and a Live DVD and have had several Top 5 and Top 10 nominations by the Singing News Fan Awards for Horizon group of the year, soprano of the year and young artist of the year.

In concert Saturday night Gene Watson will begin performing at 7 p.m. featuring his longtime list of number one hits.

Watson is a singer in country music’s grand tradition. Following years of honing his country music craft around Texas, Watson emerged on the American country music scene in July 1975. He has remained faithful to a traditional country sound.

Bullfighting action begins at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The nation’s top 15 bullfighters along with current 2007 World Champion, Andy Burelle and April 2009 champion, Evan Allard will be competing for a purse of $17,500 plus a $5,000 bonus for the winner and a Gist Gold World Champion Buckle valued at $5,000.

The bullfighters had better be ready because the Rex Dunn family is bringing two truck loads of fighting bulls that sponsors say are the worst in captivity.

Keith Isley will return to Ada to amuse spectators of all ages.

PRCA’s newest act “Anthony Lucia” will be performing his specialty acts.

The voice of the World Championship Bullfight Finals and Hall of Fame Rodeo Announcer Hadley Barrett will call the action.

Advance tickets are available at Steppin’ Out Western Store in Ada and Wynnewood and Sharpe’s Department Store in Ada for $15 each.

For more information, phone 405-207-8634.