J.W. Hart

Outside the Arena with... J.W. Hart

By Georgia Akers

When I say the name “Iron Man”, anyone that follows bull riding knows I am referring to JW Hart. Many of us remember him as a tenacious bull rider. Since my column is called “Outside the Arena” I wanted to focus on the JW Hart, announcer, stock contractor and Dad!

Trying to catch up with him was kind of like herding cats. He is busy. We finally did a phone interview as he was driving to some event and of course the phone kept going dead. It took many calls before I got my answers. JW was gracious and so patient.

As you read the interview, you will discover a real cowboy where his handshake is his word and a really nice guy.

Tell us about yourself.

I was raised in Marietta, Oklahoma. My dad had ridden bulls before I was born. He was in the oil fields. When the oil crash occurred in the early 80’s, the family struggled. Dad encouraged sports. He did not care what we picked but it could only be one sport. I picked rodeo because it was all I had ever been around. I did not really understand football and there was no baseball at my school. Most every kid’s favorite event was bull riding because it was the most exciting.

When growing up, my favorite rider was Donny Gay. But then I had an opportunity to meet Lane Frost. A friend of ours introduced us when I came over to ride in a practice pen. I was 11 years old and riding steers. He was so nice to this 11-year-old kid. He became my all-time favorite.

Daddy would never let me think I couldn’t do this. When I was 8-10 years old, I wanted to be a world champion.

Photo by Andy Watson / BullStock Media

How about your family?

A couple of years later we started dating. We dated a year and were engaged for another year. I later told my dad “Well, I went out and got her!”

We tried to have kids for four years. Leann suggested we adopt. Birth parents chose us and Leann was there at the birth of our first child Wacey. I was with my mom who was dying. Mom died the same day Wacey was born. It was like she held on to see her grandchild. He is eleven now.

A friend of ours told us about a child whose parents had lost her to Department of Human Services (Children’s Protective Services). We had fostered several children so we were in the system and they asked us if we would adopt. Makayla was eighteen months old and as sweet as she can be. She called me Daddy from the first day. She is twelve.

Then we had a call about fostering a new born. But once we picked her up, we knew she was ours. Elsie Grace is her name and she was named by her brother and sister. We call her Little Foot because she was premature and her feet were about the size of my thumb. Elsie is five.

We are now in the process of adopting Elsie’s siblings who are 8, 7, and 3.

Leann is involved with the bucking bulls, being a mom and her ministry (If you ever have a chance to hear Leeann speak it is inspirational) Her dad rode bulls and her mom was a barrel racer. She did compete in a variety of western sports. They owned a dairy so she has a strong work ethic. She wanted to be a singer and after high school she sang at Dollywood for two years then moved to other music theaters in Tennessee.

Everyone is involved. Everyone works. They have a chore list (feed dogs, cattle, etc.) and it must be done before we do fun things.

How did you get the name “Iron Man”?

Throughout the years I had a couple of nicknames. At one time it was “Hit Man”. I hated it. There was a pro wrestler with that name. But you had to ignore it or you would have been teased about it. Not sure where “Iron Man” came from. I just learned to keep my mouth shut.

Photo by Andy Watson / BullStock Media

How do the early days of the PBR differ from today?

The sport is the same: same 8 seconds, same bull against man. That won’t change. What has changed is the fame, the publicity. It is a ball of fire that just keeps growing and you cannot put it out. That is where the PBR is.

Back in my day your personal trainers, coach, etc. were your traveling buddies. They would tease and shame you to be better. I did it all on my own in finding sponsors. I knew what I was worth and I figure I could negotiate my own contract with sponsors. Most of the time I had a personal relationship with the sponsors and the “contract” was only a handshake.

I think there was more interaction with the fans. You have to recognize and be nice to the fans. They pay the bills.

I feel that there are still young athletes who will be the best ever. But I fear this generation and it applies not only to riders but this age group think they have a sense of entitlement.

When you decided to retire, had you made any plans?

I was smart enough to know I could not do this forever, I was not as good as I once was, my body was not holding up. I was married with kids. Joe Labero was doing telecasting of events. I did not make the short go so he invited me into the booth. Any time I didn’t make the short go, I would be a commentator.

Next year I was doing more and more commentary. This came up unexpected, but I saw an opportunity. My riding sucked so it was time to move on. I had no formal training. It just came natural to me.

You are also a stock contractor. How did that come about?

We always had some bulls that we were working with. But it was luck. I got some calls from 4-5 people that were with another contractor, were not happy and needed a new stock contractor to take their bulls. I told them they would have to have a clean break with the other contractor. It was soured partnerships that brought them to me.

What bloodlines do your bulls have?

I now have about 90 head. The bloodlines are Don Kish, Ronnie Roach and I have leased bulls from D&H Cattle. Some of the bloodlines are Train Wreck, Sure Fire, Danutso. I have been concentrating on breeding for heifers. You have to evolve and keep improving. Randy Bernard former CEO of the PBR said you have to think outside the box. You might come up with hundreds of ideas but only one is good. Change is good.

Photo by Andy Watson / BullStock Media

Your early commentary really concentrated on the bulls and their bloodlines. Why?

I have a lot of love for the bulls. Their bloodlines intrigued me. The schedule makes it harder to do.

What’s it like being a father of three soon to be six?

Hectic at times. Prior to having our own, we used to keep the children of our neighbors. They would loan us their kids and we would hunt, fish, take them places and play with them.

It is a scary world. Luckily, we live far enough off the main road. They are country kids. All have chores. All have horses, 4 wheelers, and dirt bikes.

The best advice I was given was to listen to your kids and they will tell you what they need. Answer every question. Listen to them and soak it all in.

From the author -

My JW closing story: We were in Decatur, Texas for the JW Hart Charity event. This particular year he had an “old timers” competition and had top riders who had retired get on a bull with a nice purse. If I remember correctly only one or two made the whistle. JW was on a bull and came down hard and for a few seconds/ minutes was unconscious. The crowd was so quiet and concerned.

He returned to consciousness while in the arena and the first words out of his mouth which was picked up on the microphone was “Did I make the whistle?”

The entire crowd chuckled and breathed a sign of relief. That is the Iron Man!