Earl Bascom is widely considered to be the "Father of Modern Rodeo".  Earl had a wide range of pursuits including experiences as a professional bronc buster, trail driver, blacksmith, freighter, rodeo champion, cattle rancher, and Hollywood actor.  A professional rodeo cowboy, Earl rode the rodeo circuit internationally from 1916 to 1940, where he won several All-Around Championships. He competed in the rough stock events of saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, bull riding, and steer wrestling.

Earl was also a rodeo announcer and known as one of rodeo's greatest innovators. He designed and built rodeo's modern bucking chute in 1916 and redeveloped it again in 1919. He developed the first hornless bronc saddle in 1922 and rodeo's first one-handed bareback rigging in 1924.  In 1926, he designed and built the modern rodeo riding chaps, and in 1928, invented a rodeo exerciser made of spring steel. After retiring from the sport, Earl became an internationally known artist and sculptor recording his rodeo experiences in bronze and works of fine art.