35 Years of Stars, Musicians, Roadies, Fans, and Other Assorted Characters.
October 30th, 2025
The list is long and varied. In the last 35 years, A&O Troopers and Staff have been lucky to meet some of the most noteworthy people in the country.
Music Superstars
Start with superstars like Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Jackson Brown, Loretta Lynn, and Neil Young. Stir in members of The Grateful Dead, Phish, Kiss, Pearl Jam, Blind Boys of Alabama, North Mississippi All Stars, and String Cheese Incident. Add a dash of notable activists and speakers, costumed characters, mascots, groupies, and horse lovers, and you have the colorful cast of characters peppering our 35 years of business.
Executive Protection
In between all the rock-and-roll glam, we have also had those special people who fill our hearts with awe. We provided executive protection services for John Trudell, a musical colleague of Bob Dylan, Jackson Brown, and Willie Nelson. Trudell was a Native American author, poet, actor, musician, and political activist. He was the spokesperson for the Indians of All Tribes’ takeover of Alcatraz beginning in 1969, broadcasting as Radio Free Alcatraz. During most of the 1970s, he served as the chairman of the American Indian Movement, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After his pregnant wife, three children, and mother-in-law were killed in 1979 in a suspicious fire at the home of his parents-in-law on the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes Duck Valley Indian Reservation in Nevada, Trudell turned to writing, music, and film as a second career. But his activism frequently led to threats to his safety, and Alpha & Omega professionals were proud to be part of his security detail.
Our initial executive protection client was Gloria Steinem, noted journalist and activist. CEO Frank Keller met Steinem in the 1990s and first provided her with an executive protection detail in Chicago for a book tour. The 91-year-old Steinem is still an active speaker and organizer, and Keller continues to work with her at least annually.
Our executive protection team also became Neil Young’s first close-in personal security provider. Another avid activist, Young’s candid lyrics sometimes drew threats that required attention and caution. Keller’s careful monitoring of the opposition and his presence at targeted concerts brought reassurance to Young and his family and team.
Sports Heros
Over the many years covering all types of sporting events, one of our favorite athletes was Jay Novacek. Joining the Dallas Cowboys in 1990, Novacek became one of the league’s top receiving tight ends while registering 59 receptions for 657 yards and four touchdowns. CEO Keller met Novacek while providing security for Valley View Mall in Dallas, Texas. Coming off their win in Super Bowl XXVII, the Cowboys were honored at the mall with the presentation of replicas of the Lombardi Trophy made of Swarovski crystal.
Connecting with Fans
Loyal music fans have, in many cases, also become loyal A&O fans, especially of our magnificent horses. Unlike police in uniforms or security patrols in cars, mounted patrol on horses offers a gentler security image and often provides deterrence rather than enforcement. Also, our visibility above the crowds makes us available to fans who need us.
We spent many memorable moments with fans at the festivals, often without even exchanging names. Cyndi Gibbs, A&O administrative sergeant in California, remembers this special fan.
“I had a very poignant moment at Stagecoach one year,” she said. “I was part of the escort team for the Budweiser Clydesdales. We escort them to the lobby, and then the public is permitted to pet our horses. A young man rolled up in a wheelchair. In talking with him as he petted my horse, I learned he was a veteran, and his service led him to be confined to a wheelchair. I thanked him for his service, and what he did next brought tears to my eyes. He leaned over to me and thanked ME for my service in keeping the public safe. Perspective!!!”
Lately, our most avid fans have joined us in wearing A&O temporary tattoos. It’s been a kick to distribute tattoos to fans across the country who are eager to have a photo taken of them showing off their tattoos.
Every Concert Is Cause for Costumes
We’ve also had lots of fun interacting with the many costumed characters we meet along the way. Animal look-alikes, cartoon characters, fairy tale princesses, and mascots have crossed our paths. We’ve ridden with llamas, inflated horses, and, of course, annually with the Budweiser Clydesdales at Stagecoach Music Festival.
Festival fashion brings out the FANtasy in all the concert goers. Over the years, we have loved seeing the most avid fans dress for every occasion in honor of their favorite artists or events. No one does it better than the Jimmy Buffett fans, but there are many close seconds.
Halloween Fun
While we visit with all kinds of characters throughout the year, Halloween is the jackpot of dress-up fun. Even the horses get in the act, enjoying treats and planning tricks. Most riders participate in The Woodlands’ annual Hocus Pocus event.
The Jolliest Character of All
One of our favorite characters is the jolly old man himself, Santa Claus. From our early beginnings as a Western entertainment company, we’ve accompanied Santa to malls around the country. At the height of our mall security business in the 90s, we organized up to 20 Santa arrivals a year across the United States. Our horses love being part of the festive Christmas season, and riders frequently adorn them with the finest holiday decorations.
