Born in southeastern Montana, Tin Star (a.k.a. Wally Badgett) is no stranger to the perils of ranch life, and rodeo has been in his blood

from the beginning. Through the years, Badgett has competed in every rodeo event except steer wrestling and is a gold card member of the PRCA. In 1971, Badgett was the National Intercollegiate Bull Riding Champion and later qualified for the

1974 National Finals Rodeo in the same event.

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During his tenure as Deputy Sheriff for Rosebud and Custer counties, Badgett's cowboy buddies starting calling him M.C. Tin Star

(M.C. for Miles City). The nickname soon became Badgett's pen name and the backbone for his popular syndicated cowboy cartoon, Earl.

In addition, Wally has illustrated books for other authors and his work has been published on greeting cards and t-shirts. Badgett and his wife, Pam, still live in the high desert of southeastern Montana, where he is the rodeo coach for the Miles City Community College

while his alter ego, M.C. Tin Star works on more Books of Earl.

Email : tinstar@midrivers.com

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