ROY ROGERS, JR. -- SHOW

Written by DWROSSA

I was a 100% fan of Roy Rogers, Sr. I rode the range with him many a Saturday afternoon. He was the best.

I was sad to see my cowboys fading into the sunset toward the end of the 50s and into the 60s. But, as they say, life goes on.

In May of 2006 I was on a Route 66 cross-country tour. We had a day of leisure in Branson and that is when I discovered the HAPPY TRAILS THEATER. I was thrilled to find out that Roy (Dusty) Rogers, Jr. had a museum and show centering around my favorites -- Roy and Dale. When I returned home I called Happy Trails and got the information. I also found out there would be a Roy Rorgers Reunion September 19 - 21st. I signed up.

I won't go into detail about the museum because PONDAROSA STAR has done that in another rating. It is excellent and in detail. I purchased a ticket to have a "private tour" of the Museum with Dusty. There were three of us and the tour was great.

While Dusty was telling us about the various items a photographer came in and told him they were ready for the family portrait. He excuse himself and started for the door leading into the show area. I'm sure Dusty was well aware that four photographers were following him. When he entered the theater he left the door open. We politely stood outside the door and took some pictures. I got three ok photos, 1 pretty good photo and one I think is great.

The show was absolutely fantastic. Just like I remember the shows of my girlhood (back in the 40s).

It opened with Dusty and the High Riders singing a spirited "Riding Down to San Antonio) and going on to a lot of the favorites. The show was super.

In addition to the songs, Dusty and Keith Allen did a skit. You have to see it to really enjoy it.

After the show Dusty and the High Riders came into the lobby and signed autographs, posed for photographs with the fans (yes, I got my picture taken with him also). As the crowd thined out the High Riders left, but Dusty stayed until the last of the fans left.

The best part of the show, for me, was when Dusty was telling us about Growing up with Roy and Dale. He came down off the stage and talked to us from the front of the theater. I liked that -- it made it more personal to me.

The show brought back many fond memories of Saturday afternoons at the show.

Heartwarming, Nostalgic , Musical and Fun

Written by Ponderosa Starr

Traveling down Green Mtn Rd, rounding the corner and see the big Trigger statue out front brought a flood of memories of my childhood. I just had to pull in and walk through those doors into the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum... The moment I walked in and glanced at the wonderful paintings of Roy and Dale greeting you with the smiles on their faces I knew I found a special place. The building is large, larger inside than it looks from the outside. THe lobby is open - with a huge, and I mean HUGE beautifully stocked gift shop with items displayed beautifully - unlike the typical gift shop one encounters at tourst stops.. Their is a shooting gallery there for the young-uns get to try their luck -as well as some of the old-uns too..
We purchased our combo tickets (admission to the musuem and live show) and started our journey through Roy and Dale's lives. WOW - my heart was in my chest as the first display is that of the 3 kids (2 adpopted and one natural) they lost. What a tribute to these wonderful, young lives. Each had hurdles of their own to over come. One was a little orphan from the Koren war, one was a serverly abused young boy, the other - their natural daughter, born with downs syndrom and died at 2. Each had their own story, there for all of us to share.. Amazing... Then we continued our walk, and came upon the toy store - a place made up like an old 5 and dime - filled full of the old toys that beared Roy Rogers and Trigger.. Comic books, coloring books, flash lights, paint by number sets, toy guns, cowboy and cowgirl costumes, you name it - it was there. Even the ol' mechanical Trigger that would grace the front of grocery stores, where I would Ride the trails as my mother would shop.. We went on through, saw the many awards and trophies etc that were given to the King of the Cowboys and Queen of the West. We then came upon the most sentimental display of them all - for me anyway. As a kid, I LOVED Trigger... I was in awe as I saw him there behind the glass rearing tall, with his saddle, as if Roy was there a top.. While a smile and a Wave.. What a horse! What a life they shared.. Amazing how it hit me.. Then there is Buttermilk, Dale's horse standing next to him, Trigger Jr and the dog, Bullet. The wonderful animal friends that I remembered from being a kid watching them on the TV...

After the museum - we went into the show and was treated to a wonderful tribute to a man's parents and family. Dusty did a wonderful job singing and entertaining.. THey show video of the family, tell stories from growing up as the son of Roy Rogers, and I can't begin to tell you how much this show meant - it hit my heart. Maybe because of the memories from my younger days being a kid who loved Roy and Trigger, but this group had it together.. It was WONDERFUL..

I HIGHLY recommend going to see the Roy Rogers Museum and the show Roy Jr (Dusty) puts on inside the Theater.. You won't be disapointed!!