Omaha Faces Story by Nadine Vodicka • Photo by minorwhitestudios.com
Cowboy Joe
River City Rodeo & Stock Show pioneer Joe Kirshenbaum is still going strong.
J
oe Kirshenbaum, 93 years
young, has been an Omaha community advocate for more than six decades. He’s a promoter, entrepreneur, businessman, and somewhat of a self-proclaimed cowboy. Additionally, he’s still working and going as strong as ever…He is truly an amazing man! He began his merchant career by purchasing Wolf Bros. clothiers in 1950 from his father-in-law. Wolf Bros. had been located in the thriving downtown business district since 1924 and had sold men’s fine clothing. Once Joe bought Wolf Bros. and later moved it to 7001 Dodge St., he began focusing the store on western wear and gear. Eventually, the business became solely a western wear environment. The store carried boots, saddles, tack, accessories, western clothing for men and women….and, even back in the day, square-dance clothing. In order to promote his specialty store, Joe began attending and getting involved in rodeos, horse shows, cowboy/horse competitions, horse-racing events, and anything where he could integrate himself into the western culture. It really paid off—Joe’s business began to thrive like never before. Consequently, he soon became involved with Omaha’s Ak-Sar-Ben Rodeo. His contacts and experience in western events made him a great prospect to help with this event. The event was truly an exciting celebration for all. www.ReadOnlineNow.com
More importantly, Joe made many friends and became involved in the popular and evergrowing Ak-Sar-Ben Knights Rodeo. Early on, he and Jake Isaacson, Ed Pettis, Jess Thurman, and many, many others helped to make the rodeo a huge success. Other area entrepreneurs like Bob Volk and Sherman Berg all helped with their unique blend of expertise, contacts, and great sense of business to help bring together a wonderful celebration of history and community to our city. In the early days of the Ak-Sar-Ben Rodeo, stars like Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Chuck Connors, Michael Landon, the Lone Ranger, Annie Oakley, and Arthur Godfrey came to perform, entertain, and excite the crowds. “These performers were real ‘people’ persons and loved to meet everyone,” winked Joe. “I even remember making a pair of special boots for Arthur Godfrey,” stated Joe. “He was so appreciative and pleased.” (Today, Joe has a specialty store just for boots, called Wolf Bros. Boots for Less on 132nd and West Center Road in Omaha.) Soon names like Hank Williams and others from the Grand Ole Opry, like Minnie Pearl, Hawk Shaw Hawkins, Tex Ritter, Ernest Tubbs, Johnny Cash, and more…headlined the early rodeo shows and also became customers of Wolf Bros. Western Wear Store. As the group of people and corporations networked and called on various organizations and famous personalities to help with the success of the event, popularity and excitement for the rodeo grew to unprecedented heights. “My involvement in the River City Roundup celebration has truly been a privilege and an honor,” smiles Joe. “Being part of something that has community origin and an event that brings in people from all over the country is absolutely amazing.” Today, the annual event, renamed Ak-Sar-Ben’s River City Rodeo & Stock Show, has grown into one of the region’s largest events, offering a diverse array of entertainment and fun. Still, its mission and goals remain the same: to celebrate the Midwest’s heritage, and benefit youth and families thorough educational endeavors and scholarships. Much thanks should go to the River City Rodeo pioneers who blazed the trail. Thanks, Cowboy Joe! River City Rodeo & Stock Show will be held at CenturyLink Center in Downtown Omaha from Sept. 27- 30th. Go to www.rivercityrodeo.com for more info on activities, the rodeo, the stock show, or to order tickets. september/october • 2012
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