Bob Tallman

(1) Tallman has announced the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada, non-consecutively since 1975.

Robert Mathew "Bob" Tallman (born October 25, 1947) is an American rodeo announcer, often called "the greatest announcer that ever lived. He's just got a God-given talent."

Tallman was born in Winnemucca, the seat of Humboldt County in northern Nevada, to John Beedle Tallman (1921–2007) and Irene Esther Tallman (1921–2008). The family first lived on a ranch in Orovada, also in Humboldt County, but then returned to the larger Winnemucca when Tallman was eleven years old. "I was never very good at sports, but I could ride a bucking horse or ride a horse and rope, those kinds of things. Then I found out you have to dedicate your whole life to being a champion. So I thought I haven't got that strong a constitution; I’ll just talk about it," Tallman explained his interest in announcing.

Tallman attributes his success in rodeo and business to his faith in Christ. His early years were carefree and hectic and nearly led to disaster. By 1979, he had been in seven automobile accidents and once narrowly escaped electrocution. An airplane that he was to have boarded in Australia was hijacked.

In a typical year, Tallman is on the road for 270 days. He announces small-town two-day events, such as the rodeo in Snyder, Texas, as well as the National Finals Rodeo each December from Las Vegas, Nevada. "Most announcers inform, but Bob paints a picture with words. He also reshaped the profession by bringing the play-by-play aspect to rodeo," said Boyd Polhamus of Brenham in Washington County, Texas, a friend and fellow rodeo announcer. Tallman often cheers, "Hang on, cowboy!" or "C'mon, let's give this guy a hand," after a contestant's tough ride or fall.