The voice. It carries, it demands attention

The voice.

It’s distinctive. Immediately recognizable at the local barber shop.

The voice. It carries, it demands attention.

More importantly, the voice sells.

Robert Toavs is an award-winning auctioneer.

He and his family – wife Jeri, son David and four grandchildren -- are fourth-generation ranchers with a place 20 miles north of Wolf Point. On weekends Toavs can be found selling anything from equipment to livestock under his Rafter T Announcing label.

Toavs now has something else to sell:

Prime time rodeo.

Toavs has been selected the announcer for the Northern Rodeo Association Finals presented by nuWest Builders at Majestic Valley Arena in Kalispell, Oct. 24-26.

The NRA Finals showcase the top 10 in each event with 11 champions form the Mountain Health Co-op Tour for 2024 being crowned.

“Getting chosen is amazing,” said Toavs. “It’s been a long-time goal since I got my NRA card. It’s one of the most special moments for me. Especially since it is voted on. To have a group of people put faith in you means so much.”

“When I got the call from Theresa (Sorlie, NRA executive secretary) I was speechless … which is rare for an auctioneer,” he added with a laugh.

Toavs won’t be alone.

Katrina Kruzich is the secretary for the NRA Finals while Haylee Langan and Kortney Diegel were chosen timers.

The pickup men are Kaehl Berg and Quentin McCauley while selected judges are Gordie Kesler, Martin Murphy, Travis Sigman and Trent Freeman.

Bullfighters selected are Beau Harrell and Tyler Svendsbye.

Toavs got his start in rodeo a little over a decade ago, working a youth rodeo in McCone County.

“I’ve never competed but I’ve been a big fan of the sport,” he said. “The opportunity presented itself. You get yourself into the sport through announcing. It’s the love of the sport of rodeo.”

Toavs got his NRA card in 2018 and got the call from the Frontier Days in Culbertson.

Culbertson and Poplar, always the same weekend, are a package deal for all involved.

This year Culbertson had performances on June 7 and 8. After the 2 p.m. show in Poplar on June 8, the whole crew made the 33-mile trip east on Highway 2 to Culbertson for the 7 p.m. show.

“Three performances in two days,” Toavs noted. “I have to watch how hard I push my voice. A lot of lukewarm water, a lot of things to take care of my voice.”

Along with Culbertson and Poplar, Toavs worked Polson, Malta, Scobey and Wibaux.

He arrives at every rodeo well prepared.

“Homework is critical,” said Toavs, who also does cowboy poetry. “The key is knowing the stock, knowing the contestants. That is the fun for me. I like telling people what to watch, sharing the information.”

And he takes cues from the crowd.

“I watch people from the announcer stand,” Toavs said. “When the fans are on the edge of their seat, you know they are pulling them in.”

That includes family,

“Grandchildren put things in perspective,” he said. “Seeing their eyes light up when they come to the announcer stand and see what Poppy is doing, that means everything.”

And Toavs found out others are him.

“After Malta, two kids approached and asked, ‘Can we have your autograph?’ ” Toavs related. “Somebody always has an eye on anything you do.

“You do it because you love the sport. Not many people get to do what they love doing.”