Thousands of boots have left better than they came into 'Cowboy Corner'

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

March 11, 2004 -- If you travel the big rodeo circuit, you've probably seen Alvin Sheppard ... the "PRCA World Champion Rodeo Boot Shine Expert" ... at some point. For the past 35 years, Sheppard has had his "Cowboy Corner" where he has cleaned and polished thousands of pairs of boots over the years.

Originally, Sheppard said he wanted to attend San Antonio College and work towards a degree in sociology. Somewhere along the way, someone gave him a shoeshine kit, and the rest is history.

"I always wanted to shine shoes," he said smiling.

Although you will usually find him outside the livestock barns with his chairs, during inclement weather, he is housed inside one of the barns or structures on the show property. He said he doesn't miss a day.

In February, Sheppard was busy putting the shine on boots and shoes at the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo.

When Sheppard first started shining shoes, he said he only worked the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo, but after the show was over, he ... unhappily ... looked for work elsewhere. After a while, he decided he'd just start following the PRCA rodeo circuit, and it's paid off.

Sheppard said that someone once told him that shining shoes would keep him away from "bad guys," but he, laughingly, said you can always find that type of man anywhere!

He said the hardest part of his job is when the rodeos pack up and leave, even though he plans to follow. The best part is "meeting people in a relaxed environment."

Even though Sheppard has been shining shoes for 35 years, he said he still has a hard time finding the exact polishes he has learned work best on cowboy boots. Fortunately, he has found a vendor in the State Leather and Shoe Company in San Antonio where he can still find and purchase his favorite ... Kelly's Shoe Polish.

As long as he can find his polishes and keep up with the rodeos, you'll continue to find Sheppard, with a big smile, polishing shoes, and visiting with his customers.