Chad Nicholson
Board Member, Chief Financial Officer
~In Memoriam~
September 10th, 1968 - May 17th, 2019
September 10th, 1968 - May 17th, 2019
Chad Edward Nicholson was born September 10, 1968 in Carrollton, Texas, the son of Gerald and Sharron Nicholson. He attended Tarleton State University in Stephenville, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture. Chad was a passionately patriotic American who proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps. In 2005, he married the love of his life, Jennifer Welch Nicholson. Together, they forged an unbreakable bond and unwavering partnership, which was based at their home ranch in Three Rivers, California.
Chad’s powerful delivery of his signature rodeo-opening tribute to the American flag—“If Old Glory Could Speak”—was a crowd favorite at rodeos everywhere. A former rodeo contestant, he actually fell into his rodeo-announcing career by complete accident. While working for a radio station when he was in college, Chad was asked to announce a local junior rodeo and that’s all it took - he was hooked.
Chad went on to announce rodeos and prestigious Western-world events in 39 states, Australia, and Canada. Chad worked more than 100 performances at Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Professional Bull Riders events each year, and earned many accolades along the way. He announced 13 RAM Circuit Finals Rodeos in the California, Mountain States, Turquoise and Wilderness circuits. The 2002 RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo announcer and 2015 Women’s Professional Rodeo Association Announcer of the Year emceed the ProRodeo Hall of Fame induction ceremonies and Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Welcome Reception during his colorful career, and was honored to be the voice of the 2018 PRCA Awards Banquet in Las Vegas.
Outside of professional rodeo, Chad did voice-over work for radio and television commercials worldwide. He is the voice of the talking dog on
FarmersOnly․com TV commercials—Chad’s voice is featured in the “horseback riding date” and “fishing date” spots—which continue to air.
In 2010, Chad co-announced the World Equestrian Games Opening Ceremonies in Lexington, Kentucky, and also worked at major NASCAR tracks announcing monster truck shows. Far beyond the rodeo arena, Chad announced various equestrian productions, including the Del Mar Night of the Horse at the Del Mar (California) National Horse Show, and the Spirit of the Horse in Perth, Australia. In 2012, Chad worked alongside Jennifer on the Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls crew that participated in Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s 60th Diamond Jubilee Celebration—All the Queen’s Horses—at Windsor Castle in England.
Chad was a worldly cowboy; he was cowboy to the core. No one appreciated that fact more than the cowboys Chad introduced to rodeo crowds themselves. Chad’s role at Riata Ranch besides being on the board of directors was significant and he was definitely one of the most effective mentors educating people from all over the world about our American Ranching lifestyles. Chad is missed and will forever be in our hearts.
Chad’s powerful delivery of his signature rodeo-opening tribute to the American flag—“If Old Glory Could Speak”—was a crowd favorite at rodeos everywhere. A former rodeo contestant, he actually fell into his rodeo-announcing career by complete accident. While working for a radio station when he was in college, Chad was asked to announce a local junior rodeo and that’s all it took - he was hooked.
Chad went on to announce rodeos and prestigious Western-world events in 39 states, Australia, and Canada. Chad worked more than 100 performances at Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Professional Bull Riders events each year, and earned many accolades along the way. He announced 13 RAM Circuit Finals Rodeos in the California, Mountain States, Turquoise and Wilderness circuits. The 2002 RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo announcer and 2015 Women’s Professional Rodeo Association Announcer of the Year emceed the ProRodeo Hall of Fame induction ceremonies and Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Welcome Reception during his colorful career, and was honored to be the voice of the 2018 PRCA Awards Banquet in Las Vegas.
Outside of professional rodeo, Chad did voice-over work for radio and television commercials worldwide. He is the voice of the talking dog on
FarmersOnly․com TV commercials—Chad’s voice is featured in the “horseback riding date” and “fishing date” spots—which continue to air.
In 2010, Chad co-announced the World Equestrian Games Opening Ceremonies in Lexington, Kentucky, and also worked at major NASCAR tracks announcing monster truck shows. Far beyond the rodeo arena, Chad announced various equestrian productions, including the Del Mar Night of the Horse at the Del Mar (California) National Horse Show, and the Spirit of the Horse in Perth, Australia. In 2012, Chad worked alongside Jennifer on the Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls crew that participated in Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s 60th Diamond Jubilee Celebration—All the Queen’s Horses—at Windsor Castle in England.
Chad was a worldly cowboy; he was cowboy to the core. No one appreciated that fact more than the cowboys Chad introduced to rodeo crowds themselves. Chad’s role at Riata Ranch besides being on the board of directors was significant and he was definitely one of the most effective mentors educating people from all over the world about our American Ranching lifestyles. Chad is missed and will forever be in our hearts.