ionOklahoma.com Life Styles, Culture Entertainment the Tipton Family
Thank you Mindy Ragan Wood my friend and great author for turning our story to ionOklahoma.com
There is a Short slide show along with the our story. Click on the link Below to go to the article.
IonOklahoma Tipton Family Story and Slide Show Click Here
By Mindy Ragan Wood
Marty Tipton stepped in front of a crowd gathered in Sayer, Oklahoma on a stormy spring day. Most of the town was out of work due to the oil crisis.
Their outlook was as bleak as the grey and ominous clouds cast by the tornado that loomed nearby. Looking for a breath of fresh air, they listened to Tipton’s humor and old west wisdom the way many did to Will Rogers.
“I know it’s rough and times are tough,” he said. “But we’re Oklahoma and we stick together. If we look at our history we can figure out our future. It’s not how fast you run in life or how high you climb, but what’s most important today is how you bounce.”
History is Tipton’s life whether he’s portraying himself as the Oklahoma Kid or Will Rogers. He makes history come alive as he performs trick roping, tells stories and makes audiences laugh all over the nation. Using a long, weighted rope Tipton spins a loop large enough to step inside and out, spinning at his feet, at his side and over his head. The largest loop he has on record is 120 feet. He can do it all while talking to his audience, something unique among other trick ropers.
Entertainment is in his blood. As a relative of Will Rogers, famous comedian and trick roper, Tipton grew up hearing the stories of 101 Ranch from his grandmother and Roger’s cousin, Delia McSpadden. His family performed with Pawnee Bill’s Wild West shows, 101 Wild West shows and Buffalo Bill’s Wild West shows to name a few. He knows about an Oklahoma largely forgotten.
Tipton learned trick roping from his father and grandfather at the 101 Ranch where he professionally trained. As a real cowboy, he started riding horses at age six and later competed in youth and adult rodeos as a bare back rider, team roper, and bull fighter.
For a time, Tipton left the cowboy life for the world of finance. He traded his cowboy gear for a suit and tie working for Toyota in Florida.
“I was good at it,” he said, “and I had a lot of money but I was miserable. I wanted to try and be different, and I was very unhappy that way. One day I packed up everything and came back.”
Despite naysayers who told him he couldn’t make it as a cowboy comedian and trick roper in a modern world, Tipton found success and stays booked for shows at least nine months out of the year.
He plays Will Rogers in the musical Will Roger’s Follies and performs as his hero on request anywhere he is in demand. He returned this summer from the Republican National Convention where he performed for a private group. While he didn’t get to meet Donald Trump, he’s had his brushes with several politicians including former President George W. Bush and First Lady, Laura Bush.
Film may be his next stage. Last year he signed a contract with Magna Talent for film performances.
“I haven’t done a lot of film,” said Tipton. “I get six calls a week for commercials and videos for corporations. I’m trying to pick the right film.”
When he isn’t performing, he is an entertainment and historic western culture consultant for several organizations, businesses and corporations including recently, Proctor and Gamble. Tipton said P&G is preparing a commercial to launch a new product line with a western theme.
He was a contributor for the book, Cherokee Strip Land Rush by Dr. Jay Price.
“I told him stories about my family coming here, about the 101 Ranch (because) my family worked on that. Other people have the lineage I do, but no one else talks about it, practices it or carries it,” said Tipton.
He also plans to write a book about his family history. “I have a lot of stories and I need to get them down.”
His passion for history and entertainment isn’t lost on contemporary issues. Tipton regularly raises money for children’s hospitals, education, and other charitable efforts nationwide. He enjoys teaching school children how to rope. In Perkins, he performed for 700 students.
“Kids spend seven and a half hours a day on media devices nationally. Teachers love this (roping) because it gets kids outside to rope and play,” he said.
That love of teaching and outdoor play isn’t lost on Tipton’s daughters. Bella, 8, and Bristle, 6, spend about an hour a day spinning a rope. Thanks to their practice, both girls also perform on stages.
“They do a lot of things,” said Tipton. “They’ve been trick roping on stage for large audiences. We did a show in Los Angeles for the Autry Museum and they roped in front of thousands of people. They were on KTLA news.”
Tipton lives in Shawnee with his two daughters and his wife, Jill, who is a florist and professional film and stage makeup artist. He will perform Nov. 4 at the Fred Jones Museum of Art. Visit the theoklahomakid.com for more information.
Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Drug Abuse for Children Conference, Embassy Suits Norman OK
What a wonderful dedicated bunch of folks. We had guest in attendance for the Mental Health for Children and Drug Abuse division conference for Department of Human Services held here in Norman Oklahoma at Embassy Suites Conference center.
In a time were children fall prey to so many problems with drugs and abuse in and around the home this department may be the only link to helping out an individual child in desperate need.
After working with children and assisting with fund raisers for many years across the state I have seen first hand the how lost these poor children are and desolate and oppressed they feel. I can assure you that most of us only occasionally hear of the issues pledging our youth. So I am thankful for the work done by this department.
But being a proactive parent docent guarantee your child to be safe 100% from drugs or abuse but it will give the child a chance to over come problems as they arrive. And in some cases were parents can’t afford treatment or mental health DHS is the only answer.
I believe in our system because I lived in a third world country, the Republic of Panama were Mental Health departments are nonexistent and the pre-teen children are left to fend for themselves with out a parents help at all. Many of them die on the streets and are never missed. And others are abused and used in drug trade business and other extreme exploitations. I know this because I worked to protect children while serving in Counter Drug Narcotice for US Army Devision special operations. Iv personal rescued children from Narco processing plants and even visited the Mental Health Department at Gorges Hospital in Panama City in the Republic of Panama while living and working there. Gorges was the only public Mental Health facility available in a city of almost one million people. The ward held about 30 patients and half of them had to sleep on the floor. The staff at Gorges explained to me that by the time a person arrived at the facility it was generally to late and their chances of survival we very thin and generally someone passed away about every day do to over dose or abuse. With almost 50% in poverty mental health and drug assistance was not one of their concerns. Even worse cities in Panama like Colone were the unemployment rate was 50% to 70% at times and cries and drug abuse was like rabies among he people. These children often ended up processing drugs or die without any choice and many never made it to their teen years. In 1989 each one of us in my platoon was give an Presidential award for rescuing Narco children. But in truth we only made a very small dent in the problem. The children there in Panama are still abused and mistreated every day.
So after living were children die so frequently form these issues I thank God for allowing us to have the facility here in the United States to help the children we can reach.
All one needs to do in times of trouble is to learn to ask for help.
I want to thank Julie Jones, Leah Scoles and staff for allowing me speak and share a few laughs while discussing one of Americas most important issues. I fully support every effort of those who are working to help other, and especially those who work to protect and assist our children.
Written by Jennifer Ramseyer as told by Marty Tipton
KOLACHE FESTIVAL: PRAGUE, OKLAHOMA ~ PROUD TO ENTERTAIN CHECKOSLOVAKIAN PIONEERS
Proud to represent and and entertain the Czechoslovakian pioneers took part in the Oklahoma Land Run and settled in Prague Oklahoman at this years celebration. I have many close friend in Prague and visit their often. It was only a few months ago I was the guest speaker at the Prague Chamber of Commerce Banquet were I had a great evening with many friends.
Today at the Kolache Festival I will be speaking on the land run as well as having some great laughs on good humor while spinning a few rope tricks, including spinning a 110 foot loop today!
Every first Saturday in May, the citizens of Prague, Oklahoma, welcome people from around the world to join them in celebrating the rich Czech culture that played a vital role in the city’s founding. The Kolache Festival offers dance, song, food, crafts, a parade, carnival rides and royalty. The festival symbolizes the warmth and fellowship of the Bohemian people. We are proud of the heritage we celebrate and invite you to this wonderful celebration.
History of the Festival
Around the turn of the century, a group of Czechoslovakian pioneers took part in the Oklahoma Land Run and settled in an area they called Prague in remembrance of their homeland. In looking for a way to celebrate the town’s 50th birthday (May, 1952), a Czech-themed festival was planned. Knowing everyone loved the delicious Czech pastries, it was decided to name the festival after the Kolache- a favorite fruit-filled sweet roll.
The celebration is held the First Saturday in May and attracts nearly 30,000 people to this unique town of 2,500. Women in the community must start baking Kolaches months in advance to prepare for the festival. It’s estimated that some 50,000 Kolaches are consumed during the festivities. A contest to determine the best homemade Kolaches, bread and wine is held in conjunction with the festival.
Each year an Arts and Crafts show is set up in the city park, and an Amusement Carnival is based on the south-east edge of the park with rides and games for all ages. During the event, one of Oklahoma’s largest parades starts at 7th Street on Hwy 99 and makes its way through downtown Prague, ending at the grandstand at the City park. Floats, bands, beautiful girls, horses, clowns and the world famous Shriners make up the two-hour parade.
Residents dressed in colorful and brightly-decorated Czech costumes can be seen along the parade route. Free entertainment ranging from singers, dancers, bands and gymnasts are guaranteed to please the curiosity of all. Entertainers may be seen at open Grandstands, in the park and strolling through the streets. Food and souvenir booths line either side of Main Street. Visitors can feast on the locally-made smoked Czech sausages, Klobase, and even satisfy their sweet tooth with their favorite flavor Kolache. Other ethnic foods such as Indian Tacos and Polish hot dogs can be found on the food course.
A Czech costume contest plus folk and Czech dancers add an array of color to the festival and bring out the heritage of our first settlers. The crowning of the Kolache Festival Royalty is one of the highlights of a full day of fun. At 7:00 pm, the new Queen customarily starts off the famous polka street dance that continues until 10:00 pm.
Beaver Oklahoma World Champion Cow Chip Throwing Contest few years ago.
Beaver Oklahoma we held the world Champion Cow Chip throwing contest. People came from all set the world even flying in on helicopters. Iv competed there on occasion myself and assisted in the line up of contestants as you can see Im standing in the background here in 2009 making sure the toss was legal as I hand inspected each chip.
DID YOU KNOW Marty Tipton is Entertaining at the BBQ Cook Off Florida
Entertainment
Uproot Hootenanny – Noon to 2:00pm Outside Tampa Florda Marty will be performing trick roping in Florida this year.
The Oklahoma Kid, Marty Tipton, trick roper and Cowboy Humorist on stage from 2:00pm – 3:00pm and mingling with attendees all day raising money for the local board to better the community.
Live Band – 3:00pm to 5:30pm
MAKE PLANS NOW FOR SATURDAY, April 22nd, TO ATTEND THIS FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT sponsored by, co-hosted by Broward County Quiet Waters Park.
http://oklahomakid.org/2017/04/08/okfr-best-bio-to-date/
Oklahoma Farm and Ranch Magazine “Roping across the Ocean Prairie” April Issue Article, By Laci Jones
Marty Tipton: Roping across the Ocean Prairie
By Laci Jones
The saying goes, “Jack of all trades, a master of none,” but trick roping humorist Marty Tipton is a master of all trades. With relative ties to Will Rogers by his grandmother Delia McSpadden, Tipton has in common with Rogers, his handiness with a rope, spinning a rope from three feet to 100 feet while entertaining audiences with his humor.
“I was inspired by Will, but I was even more inspired by my father and grandfather,” he explained. “I actually sat there and watched them work cattle, work the business. I watched them break horses and watched them work in the Wild West Show. That was inspiring to be right up on the front line.”
Tipton, originally from Enid, Okla., said he was born with a rope in his hand just like his forefathers. His great-grandfather worked on the 101 Ranch in Pawnee, Okla., originally, and worked in leather shops. Tipton’s grandfather and father also worked in the leather business. His father started as a leather tooler, later becoming a saddle maker.
His grandfather, Orlan Tipton, was a harness maker, and Tipton remembered how his grandfather appeared older than his age because of his hard lifestyle. His grandfather was one of the original acts in the Pawnee Bill Wild West Show in Pawnee, Okla.
“When my grandfather was alive, he would tell me about being in the show in Pawnee,” he added. “He was a trick roper, and he was in different acts with Indians chasing him around the arena.”
His grandfather lost three fingers in a baler while baling hay. Tipton’s father, Raymond Tipton, ran seven miles to save Orlan because he was bleeding to death. Tipton went on to be successful in trick roping even without three of his fingers.
“[My grandfather] told us kids that he could still rope,” he added. “He would take his boot and sock off and put the rope between his toes. People would run horses in front of him, and he would flip over like a cartwheel and do catch tricks with his foot.”
Tipton said he did not believe him, but his grandfather proved him wrong. His grandfather completed a trick with a rope between his toes. Orlan also raised and trained horses as well as owned a harness shop. He made harnesses for pulling ponies, carts and buggies.
Raymond followed in Orlan’s footsteps, building saddles and bridles. Raymond was more of an equipment engineer, while Orlan was a manufacturer of the products.
“My dad was a genius in inventing and building products,” he explained. “He invented the D-ring breast collar, which had a ring in the middle.”
His father also collaborated with Phillips Petroleum to produce a plastic petroleum tree to hold leather. Raymond owned Salt Fork Saddle Company and moved the company to Tonkawa, Okla., a year after Tipton was born. Raymond was also a champion bronc rider and team roper. Tipton recalled traveling to rodeos with him on the weekends, where he began riding bucking ponies in the Little Britches Rodeo Association at six years old. When a rodeo accident resulted in 60 stitches across Raymond’s head, Tipton decided to not ride broncs like his father. Instead, the young cowboy went on to ride bulls.
“It became more lucrative and more people started watching it,” he said. “Every other cowboy in the state wanted to be a bull rider at the time, and it started becoming a fad and a trend.”
Tipton was also a team roper and had many partners in roping arena throughout the years including friends, Billy Scott and Matt Crumrine. While he was competitive in the arena, his family sold ropes, spurs and other rodeo equipment at rodeos.
Even on his mother’s side of the family, Tipton has roots in the leather manufacturing industry. He opened a western store, later creating WR Leather Company. His maternal grandfather worked in the leather industry, but he was also a race horse trainer in Ponca City, Okla.
His maternal grandfather and father taught him how to network, leading him, Tipton was making his own leather products including braided five-plait roping reins and had his own product line by the time he was 13 years old. They both taught him how to build his own business.
When asked if he felt obligated to follow in his family’s legacy, the entrepreneur said he saw a split in the road for his future. He was an asset in the leather industry in sales. He traveled to the International Finals Rodeo and National Finals Rodeo demonstrating leather products as well as the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo, where he also competed.
“There was a part of where we sold equipment and made money on the business end of it,” he explained. “Then, there was a part where I got to ride in the rodeo and be in the limelight. Somehow or another, I kept getting drawn toward the light.”
When the leather business and the rodeo business were slow, he worked for Tonkawa Livestock Auction and Red Walker, whom he called “Uncle Red.” Tipton said he was almost always in trouble for riding all the feeder cattle and “burning all the weight off them.”
“By the time I turned 14, my dad said, ‘If you’ll quit, I’ll send you to live with Donny Gay, eight-time world champion. He’ll train you how to ride bulls,’” he recalled.
The young bull rider was motivated to stay out of trouble and continued to work in the leather shop and rodeo. When he turned 16, he and a few other cowboys loaded up in an old Winnebago and headed to Mesquite, Texas.
He spent a month learning from Donny Gay, Neal Gay, Larry Mahan and bull fighter Kid Calloway. Tipton trained every day, learning how to ride bulls and bull fight. On his last day in Texas, a bull stepped on his femur bone and broke it.
When he got back on his feet at 17, he hit the ground running, riding bulls and farming for Lucas Farms. After he graduated high school, Tipton continued to bull ride, but he also was a professional bullfighter with friend, David VanBuskirk. Together, they had an act where Tipton would dress like a woman and set a flash bomb off in his pants.
“One time, David packed the gun powder too tight,” he explained. “It lit up and burnt the shirt off my back and all the hair off the back of my head. I was kind of out on doing that act again, but they don’t do those kinds of acts anymore. The rodeo clowns have changed a lot.”
VanBuskirk went on to become a fire marshal in Ponca City, and Tipton enlisted in the U.S. Army, joined the 82nd Airborne and served in Panama.
“I never gave up roping or trick roping or team roping,” he explained. “I thought I need to try to join the Army. I thought that was something people were supposed to try.”
He was discharged in 1993, and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Oklahoma in 1996. After graduation, he landed a job in finance in Oklahoma City, later taking a job in Florida. The former accountant described his life in Florida as a Kenny Chesney song.
“It was all right, but it wasn’t my life,” Tipton added. “Living on the ocean was nice because it was like being in the country. You can get a boat and go way out in the middle of the water and you’re all alone. There wasn’t enough horse and enough dry, flat land for me. So, I came back and now I’m in an ocean of prairie.”
He worked in finance for about four years before returning to the ocean prairie. He worked on a ranch building fence, working cattle and breaking horses. He also moved back to Oklahoma to care for his grandfather.
“He had nobody to take care of him so I moved in with him in Ponca City,” Tipton explained. “He always took care of us as kids. He taught me how to wear a suit and be a gentleman. I remember him telling me, ‘An education is what makes the art of living possible.’ He gave me a lot of advice and wisdom.”
Tipton’s grandfather died two years later. After the trick roper picked up his ropes to perform again, he met professional actor, director and theater producer Dave May. May took Tipton to one of his shows knowing he could rope. At the show, May said, “By the way, in the back, we have cowboy Marty. Cowboy Marty come up here.”
Tipton said he thought it was a joke, but he joined Dave on stage. May reached down in a trunk, pulled out a trick rope and handed it to him in front of 200 people. Tipton was embarrassed, but he performed a few tricks. After his performance, the trick roper agreed to perform again.
“I’ve done stage shows off and on at different rodeos,” he added. “Until about 20 years ago, I didn’t really think it would ever be something I could do for a living full time.”
He markets himself using a nickname given to him by his maternal grandfather at the racetracks in grade school. He received the name “Oklahoma Kid” because people at the racetracks would say, “Go get that kid from Oklahoma. He will clean your horse stalls for $1.
The Oklahoma Kid had a knack for talking to people while helping them at the same time. This ability opened many doors to perform. Each show is different, he added. It takes Tipton about two weeks of studying scripts, learning the type of personalities and tailoring his performance for the show.
“I try to bring groups or communities together,” he added. “It works really well. I must figure out what I’m working with. I have to figure out what are their problems.”
The cowboy trick roper said his goal is to relate to each person in the audience in some way whether it be 20 or 20,000 people. He will even bring along a few extra trick ropes to teach audience members a trick or two including the flat loop.
Being a cowboy has given Tipton an advantage in performing on stage because it grabs the audience’s attention. He is the only cowboy roper today who will interact with audiences. While there are other talking cowboy ropers, Tipton said they are circus acts and have never worked cattle on a ranch.
“I think that it’s the authenticity of myself and growing up in a place where I had to really work hard, get up and feed horses and cattle every morning that makes the difference,” he added.
Because of his ability to interact with audiences and perform, he can travel across the United States showing people his Western culture through spinning his rope. He portrays Will Rogers in a few shows each year. Having relative ties to Rogers has helped him, but it has taken him many years and research to perfect his performance. When he first started honing his skill as a trick roper, Tipton studied Rogers as well as Hollywood trick roper, Montie Montana.
“I studied Montie Montana as far as becoming an entertainer,” he added. “As far as becoming a good human being, I studied Will Rogers.”
Tipton also enjoys working with charitable organizations and fundraisers like The Children’s Hospital at the Oklahoma University Medical Center, Wings Charity and the Oklahoma City CEO Chamber of Commerce Banquet. He has also worked with Broadway Productions, where he has performed or trained other performers.
When asked how many shows he performs in a year, he said asking someone how many shows they do is like asking someone their age. The trick roper said he makes 50 to 300 appearances each year, some lasting all day.
He carries 20 ropes for different tricks. Some ropes are weighted, stressed and treated to perform a specific trick. When Tipton gets a new rope, he practices with it for about six months to get the feel of it. The number of tricks he performs in show depends on the show, some tricks are performed on horseback.
The trick roper continues to develop his trade, and his show changes each year. His favorite tricks are the hand shaker and the Texas skip. He implements the latest technology into his performances, and he is debuting new tricks this year including spinning ropes dipped in kerosene and lit on fire.
Tipton said he is grateful to have the support of his manager and wife of nearly 10 years, Jill, whom he described as his “June Carter.” Today, they reside in Shawnee, Okla., and have two daughters, Bella and Bristle. Like Tipton, both of his daughters are mastering the art of trick roping.
“We try to practice every day, which is hard at their age,” he said. “They can already do all the basic tricks—the flat loop, around their body and the wedding ring. They love performing, and I imagine by the time they are 18 to 21, they will be the world’s best.”
To book the Oklahoma Kid, CLICK HERE
Clencroft Living Retirement Center Glendale Arazona Gold Rush Days
What a super part of Arazona. I never met a man I didn’t like in Arazona. Everyone form the Flight attends to Pattie my assistant who dove me and guided me throughout my production. I also had the pleasure of working with the centers director Ross who is one of the most talented people I have ever met. They had two TV stations there were they produced their own shows even. I spent two nights in there and they put me up in a fully furnished housing unit. When it came time for the my Performance we had a full house and I even dragged Ross the director into the show and had him juggle for us while I trick riled. When I decide to settle down Glecroft is were you will find me. It is a 5 star resort for retiring and first class all the way form indoor pools to movie theaters all layed out over 47 akers in is own city inside of a city, bank and all. Im glad We has so much fun together and I can’t wait to visit the Phoenix area again and visit all my new family in GLencroft. Marty Tipton
Baylor University Mayborn Museum Waco Texas
Next to Baylor Law School I set up to perform and tell stories of the Chisholm Trail. The trail ran from were the University sits all the way north through Oklahoma on up to Abilene Kansas and other rail road stations. Waco was known for having long horns cattle that were tough enough to withstand the drive north and resist sickness and weight loss. Iv been to Waco two times over the last year and really enjoyed the trip both times. Thank you Baylor and tha Msyborn Museum for having me. See you all again soon. Marty
First Trick Roper to ever use Electric Ropers that Light Up. March 5, 2017 Marty Tipton invented the rope with lights in side it.
If you have a great act someone will try and steal it for their own use. It just the nature of the business but at least I hope to be the one remembered for the invention of the rope and the creator of the performance.
Ropes are have lights in this performance.
Ropes are on fire in this performance.
Spinning wit fire has been done before, but has never been done with light ropes.
We have developed the technology that has taken many hoursand a lot of dollars to perfect to build trick ropes that can be spun into a Wild West Trick Roping fantasia type show. I came up with the idea a while back while working with glow in the dark ropes.
Wedding Ring Trick
Ropes are lite up!
Will Rogers Follies Broadway Production Performed by Marty Tipton
Performing in the Broadway production of the Will Rogers Follies and the production of America the Beautiful was one of the most exciting parts I had ever performed in. The magnitude of talent and training required form the whole cast was tremendous.
Here are only a few photos of the follies. There are many more on my web site of the production. I performed the Trick Roping parts and speaking parts along with a talented Singer who was amazing.
Marty Ray Tipton 