Roy Rogers, Trigger and Dale Evans*
When Franklin Slye* was born on November 5, 1911, no one had any idea that he would one day become Roy Rogers, the “King of the Cowboys,” and the positive effect he would have on the lives of so many people, but that’s exactly what happened. Over the course of 100 movies, 15 years of the Roy Rogers show on radio and television and countless personal appearances , along with his wife, Dale Evans, the “Queen of the West,” and “Trigger”, the iconic golden palomino, he was a pillar of strength, honesty, fairness, courage and decency that impacted on the lives of countless people.
Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center said, “We have just received information that in celebration and tribute of the 100th Anniversary of the birth of Roy Rogers, his son, Dusty Rogers, ‘Roy Rogers, Jr.’ and grandson, Dustin Rogers who, along with the High Riders, perform the Roy Rogers Jr. Show in Branson, Missouri, have dedicated the entire 2011 season as a tribute to Roy Rogers and what he stood for. She went on to say, “The spirit of what Roy Rogers and Branson represent are kindred and an inherent part of what makes America great.”
During an interview on February 18, 2011, Dustin Rogers said, “We want to celebrate his life and the positive way he touched people’s hearts.” The Roy Rogers Jr. show features a variety of music “including classic cowboy Western, bluegrass, country, and songs of faith.” Dustin points out that in addition, as part of the 100th anniversary tribute they will be adding some of Roy’s favorite songs that they have not previously had in the show. One of the numbers he will be singing is “Night Guard,” one his granddad’s favorite songs which includes a nifty bit of yodeling. He said that his dad, Dusty, will be doing another or Roy’s favorites, “Little Joe the Wrangler.”
Dustin said he is looking forward to performing an interactive number during which he will sing “Pecos Bill” while the actual video is being played in the background. It was one of the segments in the 1948 Walt Disney animated feature “Melody Time,” in which Roy Rogers, along with the “Sons of the Pioneers” narrated and sang the story of “Pecos Bill,” a love story that answers the age old question, “Why do coyotes howl at the moon?”
He said that the tribute will be part of the Roy Rogers Jr. Show at the Mickey Gilley Theatre during the entire 2011 season. On November 5, the actual 100th birthday of Roy Rogers, the show will be actually be performed in Apple Valley, California where Roy and Dale Rogers made their home and where they are buried.
* Franklin Slye legally changed his name to “Roy Rogers” in 1942
*Photo courtesey of www.RoyRogers.com