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Western screen star, singer, and beloved personality Dale Evans-Rogers went to be home with the Lord Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2001
of congestive heart failure at her home in Apple Valley, CA. Born Frances Octavia Smith on Oct. 31, 1912 in Uvadale, TX, Evans
led a full life and career as a country singer, movie actress, television star, and evangelist/teacher.
In
1944 she co-starred with Roy Rogers in "The Cowboy and the Senorita," and the two married on New Year's Eve in 1947.
The couple went on to star together in 35 Westerns, usually with their horses Trigger and Buttercup. The two co-wrote their
theme song, "Happy Trails," and had a couple of television shows together, including "The Roy Rogers Show,"
which ran from 1951-57. They hosted airings of their old movies on TNN on "Happy Trails Theater" from 1986-89.
The couple were very family-oriented, and adopted several kids, two of whom died tragically. Dale had a child
from a previous marriage, and she and Roy had a daughter of their own, Robin, who was born retarded and died before she turned
2 from a mumps complication. Dale and Roy were both devout Christians, and Dale wrote a bestseller, "Angel Unaware,"
telling the story of Robin's death. She hosted a show on TBN and became a popular speaker at churches and Christian conferences.
Roy passed away in 1998, and Dale continued on with her ministries while being a grandmother to 16 grandkids, and a great-grandmother
to 30!
Dale Evans was one of the sweetest people you could ever meet, and her pioneer-like strength and faith
were her hallmarks. Mother, wife, artist, and servant of the Lord, her life stands out boldly as a testimony of character
and sacrificial, generous love.
Happy Trails to you, Dale, until we meet again...
(Facts compiled
from articles in USA Today and from AP.)
Want to hear some of that great old B-Western cowboy music?! Check out ny brand-new page (added July 18, 2001), the Croonin'
Cowboy Corral! Loads of info. on the singing screen cowboys of yore. Visit film sites, learn about the stars, check out artists
that keep the American Western musical tradition alive. The page also features a few selected sites where you can learn more
about the "Real West" of history. Have fun explorin', and let me know what you think.
Click here to visit
the Corral:
The Croonin' Cowboy Corral
Be sure to check out "Custom Acceleration," the first full-length album from that great psychobilly outfit from
Texas, The Calicoes. Released July 2000 on Velvet Blue Music, the album features 10 smokin' tracks, 5 of which were co-produced
by Gene Eugene and Social D's Dennis Danell, both of whom have sinced passed away. (Kinda scary...)
Previous recordings
of the Calicoes include:
"Rumble" (6-song EP)
"Psychos In Love" (7" vinyl)
The Calicoes are exciting, legit, and full of Texas rockabilly passion. This album is definitely a "must-have".
-Cal
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