Gonzales, LA – Bulls, Bands and Barrels (BBB), starring Frank Foster, is returning to the Lamar Dixon Expo Center on March 14th, to the great anticipation of fans throughout the area. This year, and going forward, the event has been renamed the “Bryant ‘Peanut’ Pierce Memorial Classic.”
Many BBB fans will remember both the performance and goodwill of BBB family member, Bryant “Peanut” Pierce. A widely respected and beloved member of Lafourche Parish, Pierce served as both a Lafourche firefighter and paramedic. To the shock and sadness for all with whom he came in contact, “Peanut” passed away in 2019, after fatally suffering from smoke inhalation in his home.
“Peanut was such an important part of everything we did. He was the consummate competitor, very focused and talented, yet he never hesitated to drop whatever he was doing to lend a helping hand. He is incredibly missed by his family here in Louisiana, his Bulls, Bands and Barrels family and anyone whose life he touched. We are proud to rename this event in his memory.”
Hunter Price – BBB President
To honor Pierce, members of his family, fellow firefighters and paramedics, BBB is coordinating efforts to build a scholarship in Pierce’s name to be awarded to an area student or students seeking a career in western sports or emergency services. Nominations will be accepted shortly after the Bulls, Bands and Barrels event and throughout the year, until the 2021 BBB event when the fund’s recipient will be officially announced and awarded. BBB fans can soon receive additional information and instruction on how to nominate scholarship recipients or apply for the scholarship fund online at BullsBandsandBarrels.com.
“We are speechless,” says Bryant and Judy Pierce, “Peanut’s” parents. “There are no words to express our gratitude. Peanut touched the lives of so many people. We are so very blessed and will keep the Bulls, Bands and Barrels family in our thoughts and our prayers. Once again, thanks from the bottom of our hearts to everyone who contributed, who plans to contribute, who shared the information and shared their stories about our son. With this scholarship, his memory will live on and he will continue to touch the lives of many.”
To kick off this campaign, owner of Morvant Precast Concrete Products, Tim Morvant, local entrepreneur and benefactor is announcing his donation of $5,000 to this effort and he is confident he won’t be doing this alone. He has a challenge for his fellow business owners and community members.
“Peanut was such a special guy,” he said. “A giant of a man in character, no matter his stature. He never met a stranger and he was always willing to go beyond the extra mile to help anyone he encountered. I count it a privilege to be able to contribute to this cause in his name. I love this community and have a passion for helping those in need take a step up toward the success they are working to achieve. Now, I’d like to challenge my fellow members of this great community to do the same. Together we can have a “Peanut” sized positive impact on the lives of so many.”
Fans, friends and members of the community who also wish to donate may visit WTGE.com, click on the “Bryant ‘Peanut’ Pierce Memorial Scholarship Fund” button to be directed to the scholarship’s Go Fund Me page, hosted by Bulls, Bands and Barrels.
Additionally, the Lafourche Parish Fire Fighters Association is hosting a silent auction to benefit the scholarship fund that, to the delight of many Frank Foster fans, features an autographed Frank Foster guitar, Frank Foster concert worn autographed hat, autographed Frank Foster drum heads (autographed by Frank Foster and the Frank Foster band), autographed Frank Foster and Bulls, Bands and Barrels merchandise. Fans will also have a chance to live bid on these items during intermission at the Bulls, Bands and Barrels event on March 14th at the Lamar Dixon Center in Gonzales. To participate in the silent auction, fans can visit WTGE.com or LSFA.net to enter bids for each item. Winning bids will be announced following the live auction at the Bulls, Bands and Barrels event. [
“There was never a call to which Peanut didn’t respond,” said Lafourche Parish Fire District 3 Battalion Chief, Devin Dedon. “He was so passionate about his job, about helping other people. He will always be remembered for his selfless acts, his concern for others and his never-ending exuberance for life. We all miss him. Everyone who was fortunate enough to have met him once misses him and will continue to miss him. Helping put this scholarship effort together with others in the community to benefit others is something he would definitely want to do. Carrying on his legacy in this fashion is a way to stay connected to a great man who made a great impact on so many.”
The first annual “Bryant ‘Peanut’ Pierce Memorial Classic” begins promptly at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 14th at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center.
Featuring the rankest bulls in the southeast and the fastest horses, Bull, Bands and Barrels never fails to deliver in its promise to be three of the most exciting hours in western sports and entertainment. The format is as follows: 20-30 of the best bull riders will tackle the rankest bucking bulls in the southeast, striving to make the 8-second buzzer. If a rider stays on his bull for the required 8 seconds, he gets a score and a chance to compete in the championship round. If he gets bucked off, he is finished. The cowgirls will take the dirt following the bull riding to see which of them can get the fastest time as they race around the barrels in a cloverleaf pattern.
In addition to the scholarship fund live auction, the event will also feature the nail-biting competition freestyle bull fighting. The world’s premier bull fighting competition series, will keep fans on the edge of their seats throughout intermission as these athletes take center stage to face their opponents in a true battle of man versus beast.
Following the competition, Frank Foster, a Louisiana favorite who continues to make huge waves in country music, will take to the stage to dazzle fans with a powerfully refreshing mix of talent, passion and unfiltered authenticity. Kendall Shaffer will perform when doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Adding to the excitement will be a special guest appearance by world renowned championship cowboy, Chris Shivers. In addition to participating in the event presentation, the two time PBR world champion will be available for autographs and photos with fans.
One thing is clear, Bulls, Bands and Barrels will again be exciting from the time doors open until the last bull is ridden, horse is raced, champion is crowned and song is sung. Fans won’t want to miss it.
Tickets are on sale this Friday and can be purchased at www.BigTickets.com. Adult tickets start at just $30 ($5 increase, day of event) and kids tickets are only $15. For more information, visit BullsBandsandBarrels.com or visit Bulls, Bands and Barrels on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.