KEITH ISLEY

Contract Personnel

Inducted 2026

Like most rodeo clowns, Keith Isley started on the contestant side riding bucking horses and bulls in his teens. Isley fought bulls between rides and considered becoming a full-time bullfighter, but he wasn’t too thrilled about being in the spotlight. When the clown at the rodeo Isley was working as the bull fighter suffered a dislocated shoulder and being the only bull fighter in makeup, he found himself thrust into that very spotlight. From behind his face paint, the shy class clown became one of rodeos best.

Isley bought his PRCA card in 1994 and quickly made a name for himself. He brought trick roping, trick riding, dog acts, and horse acts to rodeo fans across the country. He dedicated himself to family friendly entertainment with his baggy pants, red hat, and USA themed shirts. Isley knew he was on to something when the cowboys stopped their preparations to watch his act.

The top of any contract performer’s career is being asked to the National Finals Rodeo. Isley got the call 7 times to work the National Finals (1998-2002, 2008-09). He has also worked 6 of the 12 circuit finals and the National Circuit Finals five times (1999-2000, 2008, 2010, 2014). Isley has also received the PRCA’s highest accolades numerous times: Clown of the Year 2006-11; Man in the Can 2006, 2009-12, 2020; Specialty Act of the Year 1999-2002, 2006; and Comedy Act of the Year 2001, 2004, 2009-11, 2013.

Outside the arena, Isley spent much of his time training his animals for the performances. He prided himself on the variety of his acts and credits much of that to the animals. Isley often stated that the hardest part of his job was not getting hit while in the barrel or having a joke fall flat, it was loosing one of the animals that he spent so much time with.

Isley retired in December 2024 after five decades in the arena.

Born October 9, 1957 in Goldston, North Carolina