FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2, 2008

National Cowboy Museum Set to Host World Premiere Documentary
About Bull Rider Lane Frost and Legendary Bull Red Rock on October 24

            Oklahoma City, OK—The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, announces the world premiere of a new documentary about world champion bull rider Lane Frost and the legendary bull Red Rock. The documentary by Lighthouse Productions is the work of award-winning film maker David Wittkower. Its release at the Museum on October 24 kicks off a full weekend of public activities conducted by the Museum’s Rodeo Historical Society that culminates with inductions to the Rodeo Hall of Fame on Sunday, October 26. Frost is among nine men and women who will be recognized with one of rodeo’s highest honors.

            Titled “The Challenge of Champions: The Story of Lane Frost and Red Rock,” the 80-minute film covers the great duel between Frost and Red Rock. Their special seven-match series in 1988 captured the attention of die-hard rodeo fans and those totally new to the sport. Tragically, Frost, who was an iconic rodeo athlete and personality, was killed in the arena following a bull ride at Cheyenne Frontier Days in 1989. He was 25.

            Wittkower says, “This film covers interviews with some of those closest to Lane.” Those featured include Lane’s parents, Clyde and Elsie Frost, rodeo stock contractor and owner of Red Rock John Growney and sportscaster George Michael. Other interviews are with Frost’s traveling partners Tuff Hedeman and Cody Lambert, author Jeff Coplon, journalist Kendra Santos, photographer Sue Rosoff and several others. Actor Luke Perry, who portrayed Frost in the 1994 motion picture “8 Seconds,” also provides comments.

            JoDahl Creech, the National Cowboy Museum’s Rodeo Historical Society coordinator, said, “It’s an honor to host the premiere for this documentary on the same weekend that Lane Frost will be inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame. We believe that anyone who is a fan of the sport or who followed Lane’s career will want to be here.”

            The premiere will begin with a reception at 6:00 p.m. that includes hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. The documentary will debut at 7:30 p.m. on large screens in the Museum’s Sam Noble Special Events Center. Wittkower is expected to attend, as are others associated with the documentary.

“This is the only authorized biography documentary about Lane Frost and Red Rock,” Wittkower says. “Lane’s family and I also believe that this is the lengthiest film to ever highlight Lane’s rodeo career.”

            The movie includes personal memories, home movie footage and photographs from professional rodeo photographers Sue Rosoff and Vern Howell. Songs such as “A Smile Like That” from Randy Schmutz and “Red Rock” by the Smokin’ Armadillos add to the energy and emotion of this in-depth look at Frost’s career.

Frost, who was born in La Junta, Colorado, spent his teenage years in Lane, Oklahoma. He showed an early interest in rodeo and began winning awards at age 10. He was taught by his father, Clyde, and also his good friend Freckles Brown, a world champion bull rider inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1986.

            DVDs of “Challenge of Champions” will be available for purchase, and Wittkower has committed that he will donate a portion of proceeds from opening night sales to the Rodeo Historical Society, which supports the preservation of rodeo history.

            Wittkower’s other rodeo-related films have won more than 20 awards. His titles include “The Drive of a Champion: The Joe Beaver Story,” “Rodeo Combat: Inside the World of Professional Bullfighters,” “Cowboy Up: Inside the Extreme World of Bull Riders” and “Turn & Burn: Inside the World of Professional Barrel Racers.”

            Admission to the movie premiere is included with purchase of a Rodeo Weekend three-day package or may be purchased separately for $30 for adults and $15 for children and students with a current ID. Rodeo Historical Society and National Cowboy Museum members can purchase discounted adult tickets for $25. Reservations are encouraged and can be purchased through the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum at www.nationalcowboymuseum.org/rhs or by calling (405) 478-2250, Ext. 219.