Sunday, November 04, 2007

Larry Carden and "Bo" #1 (From Joey Ratliff)


Bo, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just wondering...
When was this photo taken?
How old is Bo?
Who did the training?

I think the act is very well dressed with the girls in matching costumes to Mr. Carden.

Buckles said...

My earliest record of this elephant is in 1990 when owned by Sheryl Shawyer. She called him "Beau" and was a graduate of the Smokey Jones/Gary Johnson Elephant Academy.
After being sold to George Carden in 1992 his name was changed to "Joe" in honor of Joe Frisco, after whose departure, was returned to "Bo".
This scenario would place him in his early 20's,

Anonymous said...

I love the traditional circus wardrobe. Ken & Nicole take note. Wouldn't an assortment of Karl King music go well with this!

Buckles, didn't you wear similar wardrobe for a number of years?

Off on another subject from last month: I understand that the Better Buisness Bureau has recieved several complaints against that lady from Big Cat Rescue in Tampa who sent the "Fear" letter out to neighbors of wild animal permit holders. They may revoke her affiliation with BBB.

Anonymous said...

Bo was 20 in feb. He is currently the star of his own act along with performing in the 3 act later in the show. was on Ringling 131. Bo and Bello, Bello and Bo, the best team the circus will ever know. Mr. Carden themes the act every year. This year he is drummer boy Bo, last year he was King Bo and before that he was Cowboy Bo, Broadway Bo, Good temperment on him, but the other carden bulls hate him. not all but most. Bo travels in an old John Cuneo 2 bull trailer. There is talk of him not fitting into buildings come a few more years of growth. had the pleasure of working with him, Betty, Cindy, and Judy in Duluth, MN in March.

Anonymous said...

Jimmy, I think the elephant is great and so is Larry's traditional wardrobe.

Anonymous said...

Keep putting the pressure on the BBB. That is one of the ways we still have to protest the far out animal rights? groups.

Anonymous said...

I had the pleasure of seeing this act at the Minneapolis Shrine Circus just a month ago and it is spectacular to say the least. The combination of the presentation/production with the showgirls, the patter during part of the act with the ringmistress, many old traditional tricks with Bo sitting down and ringing a bell, playing a horn & drum, and all of the great tricks and super props that are used during the act, etc., etc. is just superb! I really think that having Bo and Larry Carden here in Minneapolis right after the City Council sent the Outlawing Wild Animals Bill back to committee was GREAT! During the shows here, 5 circus fans including myself collected signatures on petitions in opposition to a revised bill that may come up next year, and I told many people to talk with the Carden Brothers to find out about the treatment of the elephants. One skeptical man did exactly that and after the show made it a point to come back to our table to tell me that he had talked to Larry and through that discussion had completely changed his mind about the entire issue. He then signed one of our petitions! Now, to me that speaks volumes and my hat is certainly off to Larry Carden for his professionalism in the face of HUGE controversy. We need him to come back to City Council next year and bring Bo with him!
Neil Cockerline, Minneapolis

Anonymous said...

Jo Frisco Jr. Trained this elephant. Joe and George seemed to always be at odds over one thing or another but Joe would return to work Bo. He was a pretty tough elephant from what I understand. After both Jo and George had finally had enough of each other and 'parted ways forever', George worked the act for about a year.
Not long after, Larry and Bo were booked on RRB. I guess this elephant brought this father and son back together.