People Who Make It Happen

Grand Marshal

Milton "PUNNY" Dambacher was born July 30, 1923 to Sheriff Jack Dambacher and Della Dambacher at the Tuolumne County jail where he lived until 1941. The building is now the Tuolumne County Museum. He is a fourth generation Tuolumne County resident. He attended Sonora Grammar School and graduated from Sonora High School in 1941. He attended Modesto Junior College for a short time and when World War II broke out joined the United States Marines. He served his country for a hard four years. In December of 1950 he received orders from the Marine Corps. to return to active duty for the Korean War and spent another two years on active duty.

He was an active member of the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Posse from 1954 through 1977 serving on many Posse rodeo and parade committees. He was a member of the Posse in the "Good Ole Jack Daniels Days" when they terrorized San Francisco during the St. Patrick's Day Parade by roping spectators, riding horses into saloons and taking over Castagnolas Restaurant on Fisherman's Wharf; that was of course in the "far distant olden days of the Wild West" in the 1960s. He is still an honorary past active member of the Posse. On Easter Sunday, March 28, 1948 he married Bette Mitchell daughter of Jim and Blanche Mitchell of Tuolumne.

He has three children, Gary Dambacher, Denelle Adamiak of Sonora and Debra Bannister of Sparks, Nevada, and eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. "Punny" still runs cattle having ranches in both Tuolumne and Merced counties.

Rodeo Announcers

Bob Feist - Anyone who follows team roping has heard of the BFI. The Bob Feist Invitational Team Roping Classic is the world's richest team roping. Cowboys competed for over $250,000 in cash and awards at the 2001 "Open to the World" Roping. Bob Feist is the publisher of Ropers Sports News, the "Bible" of team ropers. When time permits you'll find him on the rodeo circuit as a rodeo announcer or on American Cowboy and Rodeo Sports Page, as well as on various television and radio shows. He announces over 150 performances each year which has included shows from Alabama to Hawaii and from Washington to Arizona. His announcing record also includes the 1980 National Finals Rodeo.

That relaxed, resonant voice coming over the mike is Feist's stock in trade. He has been greeting people, winning public speaking awards and acting as master of ceremonies from the time he was old enough to open the front door; according to the lady who knows him best, his mother.

Combining his speaking talent and his love of the sport of rodeo, Feist now feels that he is serving the public in a way that he can best utilize his talents. He does over 90% of his shows horseback, as he feels he can better entertain the audience by being closer to them.

Coy Huffman - Professional rodeo announcers play a major role in connecting the audience to the action. It takes a unique individual to acquaint the fans with the cowboys, the stock and rodeo itself. Coy Huffman has just the right touch to excite and to get you involved.

Coy has worked all phases of rodeo from behind the chutes to out in front earning a "Gold Card" (lifetime membership) in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

A few years ago Coy began to pursue his life long vision of being a pro-rodeo announcer. Facing many challenges in a highly competitive field, Coy worked the rodeo labor list as chute boss at Cheyenne, Salinas, Dodge City, Colorado Springs, the Cow Palace and Sonora. He took advantage of opportunities to announce or emcee autograph parties, Exceptional Rodeo, high school rodeos and other events.

Coy Huffman and his wife Donna have their headquarters in Tucson, Arizona where they manage their rodeo business and ministry. Donna is a gifted writer, office administrator, driver and trusted counselor to rodeo wives. One of Coy's favorite sayings is, "Today is the best day of my entire life!" You are going to have a good friend by your side making every effort to help you have a great day at the rodeo. The Mother Lode Round-Up is happy to bring you the voice of Coy Huffman.

The Russell Family

In the history of the nation's cattle industry, the Russell name goes all the way back to the period just after the Civil War. A Union Cavalry General by the name of D.A. Russell came from Illinois to the area in California now known as Folsom. At that time it was wide open gold country; and it took everything a man had to make something of it. General Russell built a ranch there, and when he died was buried at what is now Folsom Lake. Before the lake was filled, he was moved to his final resting place at Mormon Island.

General Russell had two sons, D.A. and Jack Russell. Long before rodeos were held in arenas, D.A. was a bucking horse rider. Jack was the one who handled the bets. As the two got older, each went their separate ways.

The bucking horse rider, D.A. went into the meat business in Colfax, California. He also supplied the "gold country" with meat. D.A. had a son, Melvin, who developed what is now called the "Home Ranch" located just off Scott Road in Folsom.

In the early years, Melvin raised Durhams, and later went into Hereford cattle. He developed land from the "Home Ranch" all the way to what is now Highway 50, toward Placerville, California. They loaded about 30 big cows to a boxcar. The only thing in Rocklin at the time were the corrals.

Melvin passed away in 1954, but his son, Daniel Henry Russell went on to expand the Russell Ranch into one of the largest family owned and operated cattle outfits in the United States today. Dan H., wanting to create a first class rodeo in Folsom, went into the rodeo business back in the 1960's, and designed what is now known as the Daniel Russell Arena. Western Rodeo's, Inc. developed from this idea and is, in essence, Russell Ranches. There are three girls and one boy in Dan H..'s family; Gail, Diane, Linda and Dan M. Russell. Dan H. has eight grandchildren.

Western Rodeos, Inc. is a modern, progressive company operating from Russell's vast ranches in California, Nevada and Wyoming. Dan M. Russell, Owner, President and Manager of western Rodeos, Inc., supplies the finest in rodeo stock available for top rodeos each year from the Dan Russell Arena in Folsom, California, to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada. Western Rodeos, Inc. also offers the sport of rodeo the best in trucking and promotional services.

FROM OUR OUTFIT TO YOURS - "HAPPY TRAILS"

Rodeo Crew