Ty Murray


Ty Monroe Murray is an American nine-time World Champion professional rodeo cowboy. He is an inductee of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in the all-around category. He is also one of the co-founders and a board adviser of the Professional Bull Riders, as well as a color commentator on events for the PBR's elite tour, the Unleash the Beast Series.

Early life

Ty Murray was born on October 11, 1969, in Phoenix, Arizona, to Harold "Butch" and Joy Murray. He has two sisters, Kim and Kerri, both also involved in rodeo during their childhoods. His father competed in rodeos, broke colts for 30 years, and was the starter for The Downs in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His mother competed as a child in the National Little Britches Rodeo Association. She took first place in their bull riding competition. However, it was not long before the family moved to a ranch in Glendale, Arizona that was around 10 miles from Phoenix.
At 2 years old, Murray's father put him on calves, but rode alongside and held him. When he started walking, he got spurs, and he spurred his mother's sewing machine to pieces. At 8 years old, he helped his father break colts. At 9 years old, he rode his first bull. That 1,800 pound brindle just loped around, so his father warned him it was not typical. Murray felt invincible back then. However, the second bull threw him and stepped on his jaw, breaking it. Murray figures he would have quit after that had his affection for the sport not been complete. At 12 years old, Murray rode his first bareback horse in a rodeo. It was the first time he had been somewhat scared riding livestock; he referred to it as "spooky."
At 12 years old, Murray purchased a mechanical bucking machine with money he saved doing chores. He joined the Deer Valley High Schooll gymnastics team to improve his rodeo skills. Since the meets were on the weekends, though, he never actually competed in a meet.
Larry Mahan first paid attention to Murray when he was about 13 years old. Mahan, world champion rodeo competitor, was Murray's hero. Mahan noticed him at a Little Britches rodeo. When he heard Murray was going to compete in all three riding events, that peaked his interest. He wanted to meet someone who was competing like he had done. Mahan called Murray to invite him to his place in Colorado Springs. They spent that summer flying around the West in Mahan's plane participating in several different activities. Murray soon began a weightlifting program. Then Murray began gymnastics to help his rodeo skills.
Later he was mentored by then world champion bull rider and all-around cowboy, Larry Mahan, who had won more National Finals Rodeo first place "All Around Cowboy" championships than anyone in history. When Murray was in third grade, his teacher passed out a paper that asked students, "If you could do anything in your life, what would it be?" Murray immediately wrote out, "I want to beat Larry Mahan's record."

Career

High school rodeo

In 1987, he won the Arizona National High School Rodeo Association all-around championship. He tied with Dennis Schmidt for the bareback riding championship. This helped Arizona win the team national title, which it had not won in 12 years. He competed in every roughstock event and cutting. He also won the National High School Rodeo Association all-around championship.

College and 1988 PRCA season

In 1987, he enrolled in the fall semester of Odessa College, a two-year school in Odessa, Texas. The school's proximity to some nearby PRCA rodeos was one of the deciding factors. In 1988, at 18 years old, he was old enough to join the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, which he did promptly. Murray was set on trying for a world championship immediately. The fact that he could attend school and compete simultaneously was another deciding factor. His friends were content with their amateur status. He competed in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association and the PRCA. In 1988, he was the PRCA Rookie of the Year due to winning $45,977 in the three roughstock events, bull riding, bareback riding, and saddle bronc riding. He did not earn enough money in a single event to qualify for the finals, named the National Finals Rodeo in the PRCA. In 1989, Murray won the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association's all-around, saddle bronc, and bull riding titles.

1989 PRCA season

In 1989, he competed on the PRCA circuit again. This time, he qualified for the NFR in the bareback riding and the saddle bronc riding. He and his uncle Butch Myers were the only two cowboys that year who qualified in more than one event. Nephew and uncle had a friendly competition for the all-around that year. Myers had a $2,786 lead over Murray heading into the finals. Murray placed on 7 of his 20 horses, winning $58,031 in his first NFR. He bypassed Myers by $21,202. Murray became the youngest all-around champion that year. Previously, Jim Shoulders had held that position for winning at age 21 in 1949.

PBR Highlights

1994 inaugural season

Murray competed on the inaugural tour of the PBR, the Bud Light Cup Series, which was in 1994. He also qualified for the inaugural PBR World Finals that year. The first world finals event was held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada in October. Only one record for Murray is found on ProBullStats Bull Riding Compendium for this year. Murray rode the bull Achey Breaky for 81.50 points. The bull score is calculated to be 40.10 points, but may be slightly off.
Adriano Moraes was the first world champion for the PBR. All of Murray’s PBR competition took place on the Bud Light Cup
Series, as it was the PBR’s only tour that year.

Highlights from seasons 1995-2001

The records from these earlier years are incomplete. There is no data for 1996. From the years 2000-2002, some data is missing from the PBR's records. Thus, buckoffs are unmarked and bull scores are calculated based on the average bull score and ride score.
Notable outs from 1995
In January in Fort Worth, Texas, Murray almost made a qualified ride on 1997 PBR World Champion Bull 315 Panhandle Slim. He was bucked off in 7.60 seconds; the bull scored 44 points. Murray met up with this bull three more times. He bucked off the bull again in Albuquerque, New Mexico in March 1999. In October 1999, he rode the bull at the PBR World Finals in Las Vegas, Nevada for 94 points; the bull was scored 46 points. In January 2001, in Bossier City, Louisiana, he rode the bull for 89 points; the bull was scored 44 points. In May 1995 in Charlotte, North Carolina, Murray got his shot at the famous 1995 PBR World Champion Bull and 1994-1995 PRCA Bucking Bull of the Year Bodacious.The Bull bucked him off in 1.70 seconds.
Notable outs from 1997
This year, there are only four outs available, only one of which there is a qualified ride. Murray rode Catalina Blue in September in Reno, Nevada for 83 points; the bull was scored 41.00 points.
Notable outs from 1998
In October, Murray rode Little Hopper for 86.50 points while the bull was scored 42.58 points. Later in October, Murray rode the bull Hollywood in the PBR World Finals in Las Vegas, but was bucked off. In May 1999 in Richmond, Virginia and September 2000 in Reno, Nevada, he again bucked off the bull. In January 2001, he finally got a qualified ride on the bull for very high score of 93 points in Greensboro, North Carolina; the bull scored 45.50 points. In December 1998 in Salt Lake City, Utah, Murray rode Kushma for 88.50 points; the bull scored 43.50 points.
National Finals Rodeo
In 1998, the PRCA’s National Finals Rodeo was held in December at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, which continues to be the where it is held. Murray qualified for the NFR in 1998 and had a run of many qualified, high point rides that year. He rode 403 Dewalt Power for 83 points while the bull scored 40.50 points. He rode 409 Orleans for 81 points and the bull scored 40 points. He rode 65 Hells Bells for 81 points; the bull scored 39.50 points. He rode -08 Riptide for 84 points while the bull scored 41 points. He rode 236 Slingshot for 83 points; the bull scored 40 points. Last, he rode F6 Hard Copy Skoal for 79 points and the bull scored 43.50 points.
Notable outs from 1999
Murray's most notable achievement in the PBR took place this year. He won the PBR World Finals Event at the PBR World Finals in October in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Thomas & Mack Center.
In January 1999 in Worcester, Massachusetts, Murray rode Lock & Load for 87 points; the bull scored 42.50 points. In March in Albuquerque, New Mexico, he rode Lock & Load for 89.50 points; the bull scored 44 points. In October 1999 in Columbus, Ohio, he rode the bull yet again for 87.50 points; the bull scored 43 points.
In January, Murray rode Bocephus in Greensboro, North Carolina for 87.50 points while the bull scored 43.00 points. He also made a qualified ride on this bull in June in Nashville, Tennessee for 84 points and the bull scored 41 points.
In February in Guthrie, Oklahoma, Murray rode Orleans for a score of 82 points while the bull scored 40 points. In March, Murray bucked off 1998 PBR World Champion Bull Moody Blues in Odessa, Texas. He also bucked off Moody Blues in Guthrie, Oklahoma in February 2001; the bull scored 45 bull points. In September, in Reno, Nevada, Murray rode Copenhagen Zandy for a very high score of 95 points; the bull scored 46.50 points. In October in Columbus, Ohio, Murray rode 5 Barracuda for 90.50 points while the bull was scored 44.50 points. In October, Murray rode Palace Station Express for 93.50 points while the bull scored 46.00 points. He also rode the same bull in January 2000 in Greensboro, North Carolina for 91 points and the bull scored 45.00 points.
PBR World Finals
At the PBR World Finals, Murray successfully rode all of his bulls. The finals took place in October in Las Vegas, Nevada. He rode 48 Tequila for 87.50 points; the bull scored 43 points. He rode Vindicator for 90.50 points and the bull scored 44.50 points. Then, he rode the PRCA 1996 Bucking Bull of the Year Red Wolf for an extremely high score of 95.50; the bull scored high as well with 47 points. He also rode Red Wolf in June 1998 in Charlotte, North Carolina for 93.50 points. He also bucked off Red Wolf in February 2000 in Guthrie, Oklahoma while Red Wolf scored 45 points. Another notable bull that Murray rode at the finals was three-time PBR World Champion Bull Little Yellow Jacket. Murray scored 90.50 points on the champion bull. The bull scored 45 points. Later, in September 2001, he would buck off the bull in Baltimore, Maryland; the bull would score 46 points. Last, in the championship round of the 1999 PBR World Finals, he rode Panhandle Slim for 94 points; the bull scored 46 points.
Notable outs from 2000
In January in Tampa, Florida, Murray rode 27 Cochise for 87 points; the bull score was 43 points. In March in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Murray bucked off 441 Blueberry Wine; the bull scored 45 points. Then, in February 2001, in St. Louis, Missouri, he scored very high with 93.50 points and the bull scored 46 points. In April 2001, in New Orleans, Louisiana, he bucked off Blueberry Wine while the bull scored 43.50 bull points. In April in Uniondale, New York, Murray bucked off Clayton's Pet; the bull scored 45.50 points. Then, in March 2001, in Cleveland Ohio, he scored 92.50 points and the bull scored 46 points.
In October in Columbus, Ohio, Murray made a qualified ride on 5 Jersey Joe for 87 points; the bull scored 42.50 points. He also made a qualified ride on him in February 2001 in Anaheim, California for 93.50 points; the bull scored 46 points.
PBR World Finals
At the PBR World Finals in 2000, Murray bucked off all but one of his bulls. The finals took place in October in Las Vegas, Nevada. First, he attempted 150 Bell Dinger and bucked off; the bull scored 43.50 points. Then, he tried 76 Law Dog and bucked off while the bull scored 43.50 bull points. After that came 75 Ugly Buck and he bucked off while the bull scored 44.50 bull points. Then, he bucked off J3 El Nino and the bull scored 44.50 bull points. Last, he gained a qualified ride off 695 Mighty Whitely for 89.50 points; the bull scored 44 bull points.
Notable outs from 2001
In January in Bossier City, Louisiana, Murray made a qualified ride on 77 Coyote Ugly for 90.50 points; the bull scored 45 points. In October in Columbus, Ohio, Murray made a qualified ride on Coyote Ugly for 92.50 points; the bull scored 46 points. In March in Colorado Springs, Colorado, he got a shot at 1999 PBR World Champion Bull Promise Land. The bull thew him off and earned 46.50 points. In April in Nampa, Idaho, he rode Dirt Dobber for 90.50 points; the bull scored 44.50 points. He made a ride in June in Nashville, Tennessee on Bone Collector for 92 points, while the bull scored 44 points.
PBR World Finals
The PBR World Finals were held in October in Las Vegas, Nevada. Like the previous year’s world finals, Murray bucked off all but one of his bulls. First, he bucked off J3 El Nino and the bull scored 43.76 points. Then, Murray gained a qualified ride from K7 Q Ball of 90.50 points; the bull scored 44.76 points. After that, Murray bucked off 161 Shorty; the bull scored 44 points. Last, he bucked off 2 Jack the Ripper while the bull scored 44.26 points.
Notable outs from 2002
In January in Bossier City, Louisiana, Murray made a qualified ride on Fresh Country for 86.50 points while the bull earned 44.75 points. Also in January, Murray made a qualified ride on Smokin’ Smurf in Greensboro, North Carolina for 90.50 points. The bull earned 44.50 points. Again in January, in Greensboro, Murray earned a qualified ride on Perfect Storm for 95 points; the bull earned 47 points. He had earlier bucked off the bull in August 2001 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In February in Guthrie, Oklahoma, he made a qualified ride on Starbucks for 89 points; the bull earned 44.00 points. Also in February in Guthrie, he made a qualified ride on 6 Lefty for 89.50 points; the bull scored 44.00 points. In March in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Murray had a shot at future Brand of Honor bull Mossy Oak Mudslinger. The bull bucked him off and earned 47 points.

Other endeavors

In 2006, Murray was featured in the Miller Lite "Man Laws" series of commercials with movie star Burt Reynolds. Murray is currently a commentator for the PBR on CBS. Ty's hiring of an agent made it acceptable for his fellow cowboys to hire agents, so that paid endorsements have become a lucrative adjunct to a cowboy's yearly earnings.
In November 1999 Murray made a cameo appearance in an episode of Walker, Texas Ranger in Season 8, Episode 8, titled "Widownaker." The star, Chuck Norris, discovered after the show that Murray practices a martial art. True to form, it was due to Murray being one not to "toot his own horn." Murray has credited the martial art of Nippon Kempo as aiding him in his rodeo skills.
In 2007 Murray, along with his wife Jewel, appeared in the ABC reality television series ', featuring a dozen celebrities in a stock car racing competition. In the first round of competition, Murray matched up against skateboarder Tony Hawk and actress Krista Allen. John Elway won the series in the final match.
In August CMT created Ty Murray's Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge. Murray attempted to teach nine celebrities how to ride a bull, survive a fall, and compete at one major PBR event.In January 2008 he appeared as himself in an episode of '.
On February 8, 2009 it was announced that both Murray and Jewel would be contestants on the eighth season of Dancing with the Stars, signifying the first time a husband and wife appeared as contestants on the show in the same season; however, Jewel had to withdraw from the competition due to an injury sustained during pre-season practice. Murray was partnered with new Dancing with the Stars professional dancer Chelsie Hightower. Murray was eliminated in the tenth week semifinals.
In 2009 Murray and Jewel appeared on the HGTV Celebrity Holiday Homes special. In January 2010 Murray and Jewel appeared on the ABC reality series . On February 22, 2010 Murray was co-host of WWE Raw on USA Network with Jewel where they had a bull-riding competition for the WWE Divas.

Personal life

Murray has been married twice. The first was the singer Jewel whom he married in 2008; they divorced in 2014. The second is Paige Duke, whom he married in 2017.

Jewel

In 1999 Murray met singer/songwriter Jewel at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver, Colorado. It was just sheer chance that Ty was the one who got her tickets to the sold-out event through a mutual acquaintance. Her full name is Jewel Kilcher. She is the daughter of Atz Kilcher, an Alaskan all-around cowboy, so she grew up riding horses and competing in local rodeos. She and Ty conducted their relationship by telephone for the first nine months, while they were on the road touring separately.
When their relationship became serious enough, Jewel moved into Ty's ranch in Stephenville, Texas. As Ty got to know her, he discovered that her ranching background was much stronger than he and his buddies realized. On a pack trip, they discovered just how tough she was. She grew up in a house with no amenities, no heat, no electricity, and no running water, with an outhouse, so she was right at home in the cabin he had built on his ranch that similarly outfitted. Likewise, Jewel brought Ty into her music world; they co-wrote the song "Till We Run Out of Road" together one night. The song is featured on her This Way album. The song is about Murray and his former traveling partner and mentor, Cody Lambert, who is now the livestock director of the PBR. It discusses how he misses his family. There's also a piece that discusses the late hall of famer Lewis Feild, who rode out of the limelight as Murray rode in. Jewel also mentioned him, though not by name, in her song "Stephenville, TX" which is on her Goodbye Alice in Wonderland album. She appears with him in one of the "Man Law" commercials.
On August 7, 2008, Murray and Jewel eloped to the Bahamas. Murray, 38, and Kilcher, 34, had been together for a decade when they decided to get married. There was no previous engagement announcement. "I dreamt about this day since I was a little girl on a ranch in Alaska," Jewel said. "It was relaxed and romantic. I wore a traditional wedding gown and diamonds, and he wore jeans and a button-down shirt. Ty’s definitely my perfect prince."
On Monday evening, July 11, 2011, Jewel gave birth to a son. Jewel was 36 years old at the time. The baby boy weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces. Jewel and her husband had spent two years trying to conceive.
On July 2, 2014, Jewel announced on her blog that she and her husband Ty Murray had decided to get a divorce. She further elaborated that they had been engaged in a difficult but thoughtful separation. Jewel was age 40, while Murray was age 44. Their son turned three a week after the announcement. Jewel also confirmed that the couple would raise their son together.

Paige Duke

In December, Paige Duke, an ERA reporter at the time, was attending an after-party for the 2014 NFR when she saw Murray. She immediately thought of her boss, the president of RIDE TV, in terms of getting Murray's email address for him. Right after she procured Murray's email address, he left the party. Murray got her contact information the next day, and they went for dinner. From then on they were inseparable and in time moved in together at Murray's ranch in Stephenville, Texas.
Early in 2016, Murray took Duke on a long hike to Hope Lake, Colorado, to an altitude of 12,000 feet above sea level. It was a three mile trip. Duke shared that she had wanted to get married on a mountaintop. Murray and her mother realized that was logistically impossible. So Murray proposed to her on one instead. They planned their wedding for September. Duke had selected a natural spring in North Carolina to hold the wedding, which was actually an old rock quarry. The plan was for Murray's father and son to be his best men. Engagement details were available on Paige's Facebook page.
On September 30, 2017, Murray married FOX reporter Paige Duke in Mooresville, North Carolina, her home state. They were married at The Quarry at Carrigan Farms in Mooresville. Duke wore a white lace wedding gown, and Murray wore denim, a vest, and black cowboy hat. Murray's son wore an outfit that matched his father's. On September 24, 2018, Murray and his wife Paige welcomed their first child together, a daughter.

Honors