“CHARLIE & FRED (c)” is written and performed by Ron Vasser who is a Cowboy, Emmy award winning television producer, director, singer/songwriter and a former first responder.
I wrote “Charlie & Fred” in honor of two African-American rodeo superstars, Charlie Sampson and Fred Whitfield. My song also pays tribute to the sprit of The American Cowboy and to everyone who ever wanted to be a Cowboy or Cowgirl. I had the pleasure of meeting Charlie and Fred on occasion during the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.
Charles “Charlie” Sampson was born on July 2, 1957 in Los Angeles California.
In 1982 he became the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) World Champion bull rider making him the first African American cowboy to win a world championship in professional rodeo. Charlie was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1996.
Fred Whitfield was born on August 5, 1967 in Houston Texas.
He has won eight Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) world championships world titles, including seven in tie-down roping and one was the World All-Around Cowboy Championship. Fred was elected to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2004 and he also wrote a book titled “Gold Buckles Don’t Lie, The Untold Tale of Fred Whitfield”.
Thank You Charlie and Fred you for being a true inspiration to
Cowboys of all Colors…. Long Live Cowboys
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