The barrel guy is the guy that is in the barrel. The regular clowns run around while the barrel guy is in the 'safety' of the barrel until the bull decides to charge the barrel.
Clowns basically are there to protect the rodeo cowboy. They distract the bull after the cowboy gets thrown off. They're easily in as much or more danger than the cowboy himself. And then of course they also do crazy stuff to entertain the crowd.
What say you, Glen? Any pics or fun stories?