Farmer Uses Comedy Car For Clown Act

Farmer uses comedy car for clown act AG WORLD Ag World 10-6-18 While some farmers haven't found much humor in their business recently, Bernie Johnson of Assaria, Kan., has added an entertaining sideline to his farm life. Johnson farms in partnership with his dad, Eldon, and performs as a rodeo clown and stunt car entertainer in his spare time. In addition to rodeos he performs at combine demolition derbies and other events. Johnson started working as a rodeo clown over five years ago. "I tried to ride a bull at a rodeo when I was going to college but didn't do too good and decided I'd rather be out in front of the bull instead of on its back. I've been clowning ever since," he explains. While animal acts are common at rodeos, there are only a limited number of car stunt performers in the U.S. He started with an old Volkswagen he found in a pasture. The wrecked car, with a 4-cyl. engine, cost only $250. He's spent much more than that totally rebuilding the car for his act. His act ranges from 8 to 12 min. in length. Complete with clown's grease paint and outfit, Bernie drives in, blows a charge, the engine dies, he throws a chicken out, fire comes shooting out all over the car, and he pulls out a big bottle of whiskey to save the situation. Once Johnson gets the machine started again, using a specially devised push crank, he pops wheelies and spins the car around on its rear wheels. "The announcer is 50% of my act. He has to work closely with me for it to come off right," Bernie notes. Reprinted with permission from Grass & Grain, Manhattans Kansas.

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