by Amy Townsend
Some people don’t just sing. You feel them. That’s Rachael Stallings.
She’s a sweet, genuine local with a heart that stretches far beyond work and family, and you can hear it the moment she opens her mouth. That love for singing goes way back.
As a kid, Rachael spent many weekends at the family farm with her grandpa, Leo Simon. Where music was always heard. Family pickin’ sessions were a staple that brought foot tapping, laughter, and memories. Until one day Momma looked at her and said, “Okay, Rachael, it’s your turn.” She took the mic, and she never really gave it back.
In 2000, that love turned into purchasing her first karaoke machine. What started as just for fun grew into something bigger. In that passion became a husband-and-wife duo, R n B Production. A karaoke service that has become the life of so many parties, celebrations, and community gatherings. And if you’ve spent time at The Stack, you’ve probably seen them set up and ready to get the crowd going.
In 2023, she said yes to singing the National Anthem at the annual Cross Family Memorial Bulldoggin. That one led to another, the Kingfisher Rodeo. As Jack Leitner knew she’d be the perfect voice for the Grand Entry.
One person in particular felt it deeply. Rusty, a regional stock provider for rodeos, took notice, and that single moment opened the door to more opportunities. From hometown performances to Shawnee and, most recently, the Regional Rodeo Finals in Guthrie, which was held on Sunday, January 18th, Rachael found herself stepping into arenas far bigger than she ever imagined.
Singing around family and friends comes naturally; however, the arena floor hits different. It’s quieter. Heavier. When the National Anthem starts, time slows down. Hats come off. People stand together. And for a brief moment, everything else fades away. That kind of power is hard to put into words, but everyone feels it.
The night before she sings, she fires up her karaoke machine and practices every word. Then it’s Whitney Houston on repeat. She says hearing that song reminds her how important this moment is and why it deserves her very best.
So the next time you’re in the stands at a rodeo, a ballgame, or a community event, pay attention, it’s not about being heard. It’s about honoring the moment.
