American rider feels welcome

BULL riding entertainer Matt Merritt is no stranger to the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) circuit, but Townsville will always hold a special place in the heart of the American.

Merritt will run out for his 10th event in Townsville this Friday evening when the PBR Grand Finals take place at the Townsville Entertainment & Convention Centre. The North Carolinian entertainer began working with PBR in 2004, and eight years later made the trip halfway around the world to Queensland.

“2012 was my first trip over and I’ve always said that I really believe this is one of my favourite events I’ve ever been to, and it’s because the audience surrounds you,” Merritt said.

“Most places in the US the audience isn’t behind me, they’re only on two sides of me or maybe three-quarters around me, so here it’s a very electric-feeling place. For me, the further you go from home, the more professional you become in everyone else’s eyes.

“I’m from North Carolina so I’m east coast of the United States and it took me 40 hours from my driveway to the one here at the Ville, so just to be able to be called upon to do my job this far away from home is an honour, and it makes me feel like I’m somebody, it makes me feel special.”

Townsville is a place of first times for Merritt. It was first place he was attacked by a magpie, and where he first learned what a ‘shoey’ is.

“Here, I feel like people get a little bit more out of their entertainment dollar. I think the audience that shows up at an event like this, they’re a little more willing to cheer and clap and kind of forget about what other people think of them.”