FORT WORTH, Texas ― For the past seven years Curt Blake has made what he calls his "obligatory phone call" to Flint Rasmussen every spring to ask if he might be interested in working the J.W. Hart PBR Challenge in Decatur, Texas, and for seven years, including this year, Rasmussen has declined.

In past years, the annual Touring Pro Division event has come right on the heels of a long, grueling five-month run of Built Ford Tough Series events.

Yearning for home and wanting to support his wife and daughters, who race barrels, Rasmussen has favored time on his Montana ranch as opposed to traveling another 3,000 miles round trip and foregoing another weekend with the family.

But sometimes things simply have a way of working out.

This year's event was pushed back a few weeks, Rasmussen's family is taking a weekend off from rodeos and then, of course, there's the $1.25 million in homes being donated to wounded veterans. Then you can't forget the $40,000 bet Hart wagered with Pistol Robinson when he gave the Texas native 40-1 odds against $1,000 in a matchup with Bushwacker.

"All of that played into it," said Rasmussen, who recently tweeted, "So much cool stuff going on at the Decatur, TX @PBR Touring Pro event on June 8, I decided I better get my (butt) there. Should be fun!"

Flint Rasmussen and mini-Flint, little Ryan, show off their moves at the 2012 PBR Pueblo Invitational.

Not to mention, Blake, who's produced seven of the 10 events for Hart and was previously the music director, produces Rasmussen's annual talk shows at the World Finals and the National Finals Rodeo. Therefore, Rasmussen is looking forward to working alongside a familiar cast of characters that also includes in-arena announcers Brandon Bates and Clint Adkins. 

"It's the group I'm always with and it's always sounded fun," said Rasmussen. "It's just never really worked and, I guess, the stars just kind of lined up."

Like so many others, Rasmussen followed Twitter in real time as Hart offered Robinson a chance at $40,000 in a matchup against Bushwacker.

Rasmussen is active on social media with not only friends and riders, but is also very accessible to fans. The entertainer understands how powerful social media can be.

"Social media is almost a necessary evil in our business," said Rasmussen. "That's where things play out nowadays.

"I really want Pistol to ride Bushwacker. I think that would be great. I was there the day he broke both legs - not far from where it happened - and I think it's a great comeback. We've hunted together in Montana. I can build up, build up and I really want him to ride, but, I think, J-Dub's bet is pretty safe."

However, a gesture like giving away five homes to wounded veterans is what separates the PBR from other organizations.

Rasmussen said the PBR has established itself as the premiere bull riding organization because of people like Hart are not only interested in growing the sport, but come by their charitable ways naturally.

After years of passing on the invitation, Rasmussen wanted to be a part of a great event with an even greater cause.

"I've never done anything except a Built Ford Tough event in Texas," Rasmussen said. "I know the fans know good bull riding, they know the cowboys and they know the PBR, but they love to be entertained too, so that's kind of why I'm looking forward to it too."

He concluded, "It's a lot of fun too."

Follow Keith Ryan Cartwright (@PBR_KRC) and Flint Rasmussen (@Flintrass) on Twitter.