Rodeo cowboy and country singer Brian Gaylord brings free concert to Big Bear Rodeo opening night

Brian Gaylord is the rare entertainer who can rope a calf in the afternoon and play a country set that same evening. The California native will bring both sides of that biography to Big Bear Lake this fall, performing a free concert on the opening night of the Big Bear Rodeo on Sept. 4, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.^[1] For rodeo weekend attendees, the show adds a no-cost musical act to a lineup already anchored by live competition — a straightforward win for anyone spending the evening at the grounds.

From Rowland Heights ranches to the PRCA circuit

Gaylord grew up on a ranch in Rowland Heights, California, where he exercised racehorses, team roped, and raised longhorn cattle^[1]. He made his debut as a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) competitor in 1997, and tiedown roping quickly became his signature event. "My favorite event has to be the tiedown roping (calf roping). It's a solo event, needing great precision and strength," he told The Grizzly. "It's only a contest against yourself and the calf, requiring a lot of speed, agility and timing. There's no better feeling than accomplishing your goal and having a successful run in tiedown roping."^[1]

Last year Gaylord stepped back from competition to focus on music, but he told The Grizzly he is ready to find his footing in both worlds again. "I've been itching to get back to rodeo and find a balance of music and rodeo," he said. "I have a new horse, so I ride and practice a few times a week, team rope with friends, and enjoy the things I love about rodeo."^[1] He will not be competing in any Big Bear Rodeo events this weekend, but plans to stay for the full run.

A recording career launched in 2025

Gaylord launched his recording career this year, releasing a string of singles — "I Call That a Good Thing," "Summer Fling," "Rock Bottom," "Where You Been," "Blow Up Bridges," and "Bigger Man" — while working with Nashville producer Bill McDermott^[1]. A new track, "Like It's 1992," is scheduled for release on Sept. 25^[1].

He logs more than 150 live shows a year at festivals, casinos, wineries, fairs, rodeos, and country music venues across California, Nevada, Arizona, and Tennessee^[1]. Big Bear Lake is his latest stop on that circuit.

Gaylord frames the music as a natural extension of the rodeo life rather than a departure from it. "I was raised as a ranch cowboy and always assumed I would spend the rest of my life living that way. As I've gotten older, though, music has become a natural fit, and an opportunity to continue the traditions of rodeo, the cowboy lifestyle and being a true Western gentleman," he said, according to The Grizzly. "My music is me. I get to share authentic stories from my life as a rodeo cowboy, along with the unforgettable people, hard lessons, heartbreaks and great times I've experienced along the way."

The Big Bear Rodeo opening-night concert is free. Tickets for rodeo events are available at BigBearRodeo.com.