  ARTROGER.ASC


           Recollections of Illustrious Roy Rogers, 33 

             As told to Ill... WALTER L. KEMMERER, 33
     1100 North Avalon Boulevard, Wilmington, California 90744
                                 
     The day was bright, brisk and sunny.  Brother Rogers, greeted
me in his office overlooking his fort-like Roy Rogers-Dale Evans
Museum in the high desert in Victorville, California.  It was a
comfortable talk as Roy spoke, his feet placed on a bench
with his cowboy boots showing a high lustre, looking every inch
like an ad in a magazine.
     We talked of many things, of his hunting days, his worldwide
travels, and, of course, about Trigger, his great horse.  He said
that Trigger would look at him and be able to read his mind whether
he was to go for a walk or a ride.
     It was not long before we drifted to Roy's Masonic family. 
Roy is a devout Mason.  In fact, he must have been the original
mold that we Masons call "a Mason's Mason."  He became a Mason
after appearing at many Shrine Crippled Childrens' Hospitals and
seeing what a great service the Shriners were doing.  He became a
member of the Masonic Bodies of Hollywood Lodge No. 355 of
Hollywood, California in 1946.  When traveling he found so many of
his associates were Masons.  He holds Masonry very high among his
memories.  He became a member of the Scottish Rite and is now a
member of the Long Beach Valley.  He is also a member of the York
Rite in San Pedro, California, and the Al Malaikah Shrine Temple in
Los Angeles, California, and is an Ambassador-at-Large.  Roy was
Coroneted Honorary Inspector General, Thirty-third Degree in 1979.
     As Roy and I visited, he shared with me many of the highlights
of his career.  
     When Roy Rogers rides into town, ANY town, thousands upon
thousands of people are on hand to cheer and say "hello" to the
King of the Cowboys. That's because he has long been recognized as
the romanticized version of the legendary Old West, and everyone
who has ever fancied being a cowpoke or cowgirl riding the range
knows about Roy Rogers.  For over half a century, he has been
entertaining youngsters and grownups alike, and his continuing
ability to "draw a crowd" is truly remarkable whether he's
appearing by himself or with his wife, Dale Evans.
     For their millions of longtime fans, the Rogers have
maintained a magnificent image through the years.  They represent
the complete all-around, all-time, All-American family.  Perhaps a
recent congratulatory telegram sent on Roy's 50th Anniversary in
show business says it best.
     The telegram read, in part, "You have set an example of clean,
wholesome entertainment, and we have always viewed your work with
pride and that warm feeling that comes from knowing and having the
honor to be associated with special people.  But don't stop now,
for the nation needs you."  The telegram was signed by the then
President of the United States, Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy.
     Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Leonard Franklin Slye (Roy Rogers'
real name) grew up in a family in which music played an important
role.  He was playing the guitar and mandolin by the time he was
10, also calling square dances, all the while developing a fine
singing voice and an unusual talent for yodeling.
     In 1930 the family moved to Southern California where Leonard
began singing and playing guitar for various country-western groups
on Los Angeles radio.  He soon formed a singing group which was
later to become the Sons of the Pioneers.
     It was in 1937 that Leonard Slye heard that Republic Pictures
was looking for a singing cowboy.  He auditioned for the role,
signed a contract and legally became Roy Rogers.  By the end of
1938, Roy, riding his golden palomino, Trigger, was on his way to
becoming the King of the Cowboys.  He starred in 87 musical
westerns for Republic, becoming the number one box-office star in
all westerns for 12 consecutive years.
     After years of starring on the silver screen, Rogers took on
the challenge of television.  The 14 specials he did for NBC-TV
were never outrated by the competition.
     In 1947, Roy Rogers married his leading lady, Dale Evans, and
they quickly became one of America's most beloved couples.  They
have remained popular and respected to this day.  Together, they
have claimed many honors, including being the only couple ever
chosen as Grand Marshalls of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses
parade and football game.  In 1976, they were inducted into the
Cowboy Hall of Fame.
     They have been honored by the Freedoms Foundation of Valley
Forge for their humanitarian contributions to America, and they
have received their Honorary Doctor of Humanics degrees at Bethany
College in West Virginia.  In 1980, they were named Cochairman of
the National Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse.  
     Voted into Madison Square Garden's Hall of Fame, Roy Rogers
set an all-time one-day record there.  He and Dale also hold 9 all-
time box-office records at the famed Houston Rodeo, including the
largest crowd ever to see an indoor rodeo--42,884 people in one
performance at the Astrodome.
     In 1975, Roy was the recipient of the first annual Thomas
Edison Great American Award.  Then, in 1976, he received the
Pioneer Award by the Academy of Country Music.  A member of the
Choctaw Tribe, Roy was Honorary American Indian of the Year for the
American Indian Exposition.
     Roy and Dale have received the Humanitarian Award from the
National Film Society, the USO Liberty Bell Award, the Kiwanis
Decency Award, and the National Amvets Auxiliary Award for their
many appearances for American Veterans of World War II, Korea and
Vietnam.
     The Rogers family is well known for their adoption of orphans
and for more than 6,000 charitable appearances.  They are the only
show business couple to receive a national citation from the
American Legion.  Among their many charities are various Masonic
charities and the Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children.
     Ralph Edwards has stated that during the many years of
broadcasting "This is Your Life," he had more requests to do the
life of Roy Rogers than any other person in the world.  The show
was repeated 3 times by popular demand.
     Roy and Dale have reared a family of 9 children and have 16
grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren as of March 8, 1989. 
Three of their children have died:  Robin-Elizabeth, who died at
age two and about whom Dale wrote the best-selling book, Angel
Unaware; Debbie, a Korean adoptee who died in a tragic bus accident
when she was twelve; and John David (Sandy) who died while in the
military service in Germany, at age eighteen.
     Today, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans are more in demand than ever,
and they are involved in a multitude of projects.  The Roy Rogers-
Dale Evans Museum in Victorville, California, attracts thousands of
visitors annually.  Word, RCA and Capitol Records have released 10
Roy Rogers and Dale Evans albums and singles.
     Roy and Dale were asked to serve as Grand Marshalls of the
1981 National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in Washington, D.C.,
and Roy makes appearances at the opening of several new Roy Rogers'
Restaurants every year.  Currently, more than 600 restaurants have
been built and some franchised in association with the Marriott
Corporation.  
     Every year there are also numerous appearances by both Roy and
Dale on network television shows as well as special appearances at
rodeos and state and regional fairs.  These appearances, along with
recording sessions and participation in charitable events, continue
to enhance their tremendous popularity.
     Throughout his prosperous career Roy has been represented by
his trusted friend, Brother Art Rush, 32, for 47 years.  Brother
Rush passed away recently, and Roy is expanding a section of the
Museum in Victorville to include many of Art's Masonic memorabilia
in his honor.
     Throughout their careers, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans have
represented honesty, decency, faith in God and Country.  Wherever
they appear, America's heart is with them.
__________________________________________________________________
Roy is a devout Mason.  In fact, he must have been the original
mold that we Masons call "a Mason's Mason."

When Roy Rogers rides into town, ANY town, thousands upon thousands
of people are on hand to cheer and say "hello" to the King of the
Cowboys.

Roy, Dale and their family represent the complete all-around, all-
time, All-American family.

Throughout their careers, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans have
represented honesty, decency, faith in God and Country.  Wherever
they appear, America's heart is with them.


