TO OUR FANS

In this section of our website, we want to keep everyone apprised of our activities relating to festival appearances, reruns on TV and other news over the current year. Since this is the initial edition of our site, we'll mention a few other items which might be of interest.

Beginning in the fall of 2004, we resumed appearances on the film festival circuit with our first event in Lone Pine, California and over the past five years, my wife, Barbara and I have made marvelous memories meeting the wonderful fans across our magnificent country...from Palm Springs, Burbank Santa Clarita and Lone Pine in California to Williamsburg, Virginia, Winterset, Iowa, Memphis, Branson, Missouri, Lake Havasu, Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona as well as Kanab and Provo, Utah.

We feel most fortunate to have been invited back to the majority of these annual events and delighted to renew friendships we have made and welcome hearing from them via letters and email and would enjoy hearing from those of you who may not have had the opportunity to attend some of these festivals featuring us 'old western character actors.' Go to the Contact section and learn how to reach us...we'd really like to hear from you!

Turner Classic Movies Archives. While attending the Elvis Insiders 2008 Convention in Memphis last August, I met Tom Brown, Vice President of Original Productions for TCM. He's a big Elvis fan and equally a John Wayne buff and arranged for me to do a nearly two hour interview for the archival series to be aired at appropriate times when their network presents various John Wayne and Elvis films in which I have appeared. On Tuesday August 18th, TCM is featuring 10 John Wayne films, including two in which I appeared... McLintock! and The Green Berets and I understand portions of my interview will be aired then as well as prior to 'Duke's' day on the 18th. If interested, you can check for air times in your local area.

Voice Over. In early February I did a voice over for one of the characters in an animated children's Christmas series to be shown on the Nickelodeon network. The series, comprised of seven half-hour programs is entitled 'Elf Sparkle' featuring the usual suspects such as Santa, Mrs. Clause, various elves...would you believe I'm Elf Ziggy!...and of course the rein deers, featuring the voice of Jon Provost ('Timmy' of the well known and loved series Lassie) as 'Prancer. I have been booked to direct the voices for the next episode in the early fall and it will feature Margaret O'Brien, whom I'm sure many of you may recall when she was an accomplished child actress in such films as Meet Me in St. Louis, Journey for Margaret and Little Women. She will be the voice of Mrs. Clause.

National Festival of the West. This is a BIG and wonderful event located in Scottsdale, Arizona where you will find virtually everything connected to the old west...clothing, artifacts, books, western poetry, chuck wagon cook off...you name it...they have it! Held annually in March, this was our second time at this well attended event featuring western celebrities such as Hugh O'Brian, Bruce Dern, Robert Fuller, Ben Cooper, Denny Miller and Michael Dante just to name a few. The venue is magnificent and hopefully we'll be asked to attend in 2010. For more information log on to www.festivaofthewest.com

Brigham Young University. From time to time, the College of Fine Arts and Communications of this most prestigious University, invite professional actors and other professionals in various fields of the arts to visit and speak to their students as well as other scheduled pubic events. In early April of this year, it was my privilege to be invited by the Assistant Dean of the College to be their guest speaker and it proved to be one of the most memorable events in my life! You can not imagine the physical attributes this College has...numerous stages, equipped with the latest technology in lighting and sound, wardrobe design and costume department, prop department, editing rooms with equipment I did'nt know existed and even a back lot! It's unbelievable! And the animation department is probably one of the finest anywhere...they just won two Academy Awards for student animation from the Academy of Arts & Sciences in Hollywood. I can't say enough about the staff, from department heads to instructors...the very best. And then there were the students...without a doubt, they were the most well dressed and groomed young people you would expect to see on any university campus in the country and the countenance on their faces...relaxed, contented and a friendly greeting on eye contact. Truly an experience I will never forget.

Western Legends Roundup. This delightful western festival in the picturesque village of Kanab, Utah near St. George is held in late August each year and this year's event will be their eleventh and our third successive visit. We truly look forward to being there and similar to The Festival of the West if offers everything western you can imagine...log on to www.westernlegendsroundup.com to see what you'll miss if you don't attend. Combine it with a trip to Brice or Zion Canyons and the grand daddy of 'em all...The Grand Canyon...they are all an easy drive from Kanab. This is one of the best...hope to see you there August 24-27th!!!

Ashland, Kentucky - November 19-22, 2009. I have just been informed that I will be in Ashland for a red carpet premiere of the animated children's Christmas series, 'Elf Sparkle' on Saturday,the 21st of November in which I am the voice of 'Elf Ziggy. From a large cast of voice actors, only a few have been invited to the premiere including Jon Provost, 'Timmy' of the long running TV series 'Lassie' as well as the wonderful actress Margaret O'Brien...see Voice Over above. I realize Ashland is a long drive for many of our friends in Kentucky, but it would be a joy to see you. Unfortunately,Barbara will not be accompanying me. As more definitive information about the event is received you will be informed.

When other bookings are confirmed for the remainder of 2009 they will be posted.

Warmest regards...