Earl W. Bascom facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Earl Bascom FRSA
Cowboy of Cowboy Artists – Father of Modern Rodeo
Born	Earl Wesley Bascom (1906-06-19)June 19, 1906 Vernal, Utah, United States
Died	August 28, 1995(1995-08-28) (aged 89) Victorville, California, United States
Education	Brigham Young University
Occupation	Cowboy rodeo champion rancher inventor school teacher Western artist international sculptor Hollywood actor historian writer
Spouse(s)	E. Nadine Diffey (1939–1995)
Awards	Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts

Earl Wesley Bascom (June 19, 1906 – August 28, 1995) was a famous American-Canadian cowboy, artist, and inventor. He was known for his amazing rodeo skills and for creating modern rodeo equipment. People called him the "Cowboy of Cowboy Artists" and the "Father of Modern Rodeo." He was inducted into many Halls of Fame, including the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. Bascom shared his experiences of cowboy life and rodeo through his art.

Early Life and Family

Earl Bascom was born on June 19, 1906, in a log cabin in Vernal, Utah. His father, John W. Bascom, was a rancher and a lawman. He even chased members of Butch Cassidy's Wild Bunch Gang.

Both of Earl's grandfathers were pioneers, lawmen, and ranchers. His grandfather, Joel Bascom, was a police chief and constable. His other grandfather, C. F. B. Lybbert, was a blacksmith and a justice of the peace. Earl also had relatives who were a pony express rider and a soldier in the Mormon Battalion.

In 1912, when Earl was six, his mother Rachel died. He had four younger siblings. In 1913, his father moved to Alberta, Canada, to work on a ranch. The next year, the Bascom family traveled by covered wagon and train to Canada. They ranched their own cattle using the Bar-B-3 brand.

Earl's family moved between Utah and Canada several times. By Canadian law, Earl became a Canadian citizen because his father did. So, Earl was both American and Canadian.

Earl mostly went to one-room schools. He left school in third grade to work on a ranch. But a Canadian Mountie thought he was too young. So, Earl, who was 13, was sent back to school. Later, his father gave him a job driving a stagecoach to pick up other students for school.

In 1918, Earl's father married Ada Romeril Dawley. This gave Earl a stepmother and a stepbrother, Frank. They had five more children, making a total of eleven kids in the Bascom family.

Cowboy Life and Rodeo Champion

Earl Bascom was known as the "Cowboy of Cowboy Artists" because he had so many Western experiences. He was a professional bronc buster, bull rider, and trail driver. He also worked as a blacksmith, wolf hunter, and rancher. He was one of the last people to experience the American Old West before free-range ranching ended.

Bascom worked on some of the biggest ranches in the United States and Canada. These ranches had thousands of cattle on huge areas of land. He broke and trained hundreds of horses. He worked on cattle drives and horse drives across many states. He even made his own saddles, stirrups, and other cowboy gear. Earl's brothers and his father were also skilled ranch hands. They were known as the "Bronc Bustin' Bascom Boys."

Earl was a professional rodeo cowboy from 1916 to 1940. He won several all-around championships. He competed in events like saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, and bull riding. In 1933, he set a new world record in steer decorating. He was also a rodeo announcer and performed trick riding.

Bascom has been inducted into many rodeo and sports Halls of Fame. His rodeo equipment inventions brought him international fame. His brothers were also professional rodeo cowboys and Hall of Fame members. Rodeoing helped Earl pay for his college education at Brigham Young University. He graduated in 1940.

Rodeo Innovations

Earl Bascom is called the "Father of Modern Rodeo" because he invented and designed many important rodeo tools.

• In 1916, he designed and built the first modern bucking chute. This chute helps safely release bucking horses and bulls into the arena.
• In 1922, he made the first hornless bronc saddle. This saddle made it safer for riders.
• In 1924, he created the first one-hand bareback rigging. This invention changed bareback riding.
• In 1926, he designed modern rodeo chaps, which protect riders' legs.

Bascom's inventions are still used in rodeos around the world today.

Mississippi Rodeos

In the mid-1930s, Earl and his brother Weldon helped produce the first rodeos in Columbia, Mississippi. These were the first rodeos held outdoors at night under electric lights. They also used Brahma bulls for the first time in rodeo history. In 2019, a historical marker was placed in Columbia, Mississippi, to honor this event.

Earl and Weldon Bascom were later honored as the "Fathers of Mississippi Rodeo." They even received a congratulatory telegram from President Ronald Reagan. In 2016, the ProRodeo Hall of Fame recognized them as the "Fathers of Brahma Bull Riding."

In 1939, Earl married Nadine Diffey. They met in Mississippi while he was rodeoing. They had five children. Nadine was also an artist.

Besides competing, Earl also worked as a rodeo clown and rodeo bullfighter. Just after his 89th birthday, he was honored as the oldest living rodeo clown in the world.

In 2014, Bascom was honored for his contributions to cowboy culture. In 2015, he was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. He was the first rodeo champion to receive this high honor.

Artist and Actor

Earl Bascom wanted to be an artist since he was a child. He filled his school books with drawings of cowboys. He was inspired by famous Old West artists, Charles M. Russell and Frederic S. Remington. Both were cousins to his father.

Even though he didn't finish high school, Brigham Young University (BYU) accepted him as a student in 1933. He was 27 years old. He studied painting, drawing, and sculpture. He won art awards at BYU and graduated with a degree in Fine Art in 1940.

Hollywood and Teaching

Earl Bascom also worked in the movie industry. In 1920, he and his older brother Melvin were extras in a silent movie. Later, Earl worked with his brother Weldon Bascom in the 1954 Hollywood Western movie, The Lawless Rider. Earl played one of the outlaws.

After college, Earl and his wife moved to California. He continued his art career and ranched. He worked on several large ranches. During World War II, he worked as a shipfitter, building ships for the war effort.

Later, Earl and his son-in-law Mel Marion worked with cowboy celebrity Roy Rogers on TV commercials. Earl also helped teach horsemanship and cowboy history at Victor Valley College.

In 1966, Earl became a high school art teacher in Barstow, California. He also led art groups like the High Desert Artists. Earl was a published historian, writing about cowboy and rodeo history.

International Artist

Bascom became known around the world as a cowboy artist and sculptor. His art was shown in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. His art and cowboy gear were displayed alongside Charlie Russell's art in museums.

In 1994, he created a sculpture of a Texas longhorn steer that was called the "most authentic example." He was the first cowboy artist to be honored as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in London.

In 2005, the Earl W. Bascom Memorial Rodeo was held in Berlin, Germany. His cowboy art was shown there to honor his worldwide influence on rodeo.

Death

Earl Bascom died on August 28, 1995, at his ranch in Victorville, California. He was 89 years old.

Tributes and Honors

Many people and organizations honored Earl Bascom for his contributions.

• The U.S. House of Representatives called him an "American Hero" in 1985.
• Congressman Jerry Lewis said Earl lived "one of the most interesting lives ever known in modern cowboy history."
• He was listed in many "Who's Who" books.
• Cowboy celebrity Roy Rogers said Earl Bascom was "a walking book of history."
• The American Cowboy magazine called him a "Renaissance Cowboy."
• The ProRodeo Hall of Fame recognized him for his dedication, inventions, and skills.
• He was chosen by the Toronto Star as one of Canada's 150 greatest athletes.
• Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox declared November 5 to be Rodeo Pioneer Day in Utah, honoring Earl Bascom.

Awards and Championships

Hall of Fame Inductions

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See also

• Canadian pioneers in early Hollywood
• List of ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductees
• List of Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame inductees
• Raymond Stampede
• List of cowboys and cowgirls
• List of Brigham Young University alumni
• List of Latter-day Saints
• List of members of Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
• List of famous Canadian sports personalities
• List of Fellows of the Royal Society of Arts
• List of people considered father or mother of a field