It’ s a tradition that has gone on for 63 years and I would hate to see that go away.”
The Tops in Texas PRCA Rodeo is one of the oldest continuous pro rodeos in the nation, according to Underwood.
“ There are less than 50 rodeos in the United States that have lasted as long as we have and we have been recognized for that,” he said.
Underwood got started in rodeo as a teenager and joined the local rodeo board on a recommendation by then rodeo association president Joe Woolery.
Although work carried Underwood away from Cherokee County for a while, he remained closely involved in the rodeo lifestyle and even helped establish a professional rodeo in nearby Henderson.
“ My goal when I came back to Jacksonville was to be president of the rodeo association,” Underwood said.
The late Charles Dickerson was influential not only in seeing to it that Underwood became president, but was also a mentor to him personally.
“ Charles loved the rodeo and everything about it and had been on the board since the beginning, and he wanted me to serve as president,” Underwood said.“ Of course you had others like Joe Woolery, Raymond Teague, Bill Isaacs, Roland Adams and many more – they are all gone now.
“ Charles was like a second second dad to me,” Underwood said.“ My dad died when I was young, and Charles and my dad were very close.”
Dickerson, who passed away Sept. 17, 2024, was remembered in a special way during the Grand Entry at the 2025 Tops in Texas PRCA Rodeo.
“ Charles and I always rode into the arena [ on horseback ] side by side during the Grand Entry,” Underwood said, fighting back tears as he remembered Dickerson.“ I pulled a horse around the arena like [ Charles ] was on it … it was a big deal to me.
“ The rodeo was Charles’ hot passion and it has become mine.”
Changes
The Tops In Texas PRCA Rodeo has changed through the decades, with one of the biggest changes being the rodeo no longer is able to feature performances by national recording artists.
“ It got to be so expensive, and with the arena not
Byron Underwood
having a roof over it, we had problems with rain outs,” Underwood said.“ One year we had Blake Shelton, and during the second song it started pouring down rain.”
Pat Green, Chris Cagle, Randy Rogers Band, Neal McCoy and Sylvia, were several of the national recording artists that at one time entertained the Tops In Texas Rodeo patrons.
Eliminating musical talent forced the rodeo association to travel a different avenue.
“ Without having a [ musical ] star, we had to prove that the rodeo was a star within itself,” Underwood said.“ We [ emphasized ] coming out to the rodeo to see the horses, the rough stock, the cowboys and cowgirls, the clowns and to get the kids involved.”
The next big change was to offer free admission – made possible by the sponsorship of the three local cowboy churches – on the opening night of the rodeo.
“ The idea was to get people who normally wouldn’ t buy a ticket to attend the rodeo; to come out and have fun,” Underwood said.“ When they came, they
Spring 2026 | Jacksonville Progress 13