Here is a guide to all of the historical characters mentioned in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas:
Dolly Parton
p26
Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is a Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter, author, actor and philanthropist, known for her prolific work in country music. In the 44 years since her national chart debut, she remains the most successful female artist in the history of country music. She is known for her distinctive mountain soprano, sometimes bawdy humor, flamboyant dress sense and voluptuous figure. (As well as being distinctive for large blonde hair in the 1970's.)
Johnny Carson
p79
(1925-2005) Hosted NBC's The Tonight Show from 1962-1992. The remark that the Chicken Ranch story is either ridiculous because this was solely a local affair, or the issue would have been mentioned in Carson's opening monologue as a comment on the current news issues.
http://www.johnnycarson.com/carson/
Lawrence Welk
p43
The Lawrence Welk Show begin in 1955 and ran until 1982. The show featured easy-listening music and a 'family' of wholesome performers. Though it was canceled by ABC in 1971, Welk lined up over 200 independent stations to form his own syndicated network. Very popular with all generation of viewers as an alternative to brash sitcoms.
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/L/htmlL/lawrencewelk/lawrencewelk.htm
Teddy Roosevelt
p11
(1858-1919) Lead the Rough Riders at charge of San Juan Hill. 26th President (1901-1909)
Matt Dillon (with a toothache)
p49
Marshal Matt Dillon is a fictional character featured on both the radio and television versions of Gunsmoke. He serves as the U.S. Marshal of Dodge City, Kansas who works to preserve law and order in the western frontier of the 1870's. Radio series 1952-61, television series from 1955-1975
Mike Wallace
p44
Famous broadcast journalist. Best known for work on 60 Minutes, which he has been with since 1968. http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/W/htmlW/wallacemike/wallacemike.htm
Sam Houston
p60
(1793-1863) Born VA, became Gov of TN, exited politics and moved to TX with some friends after living with the Cherokee for a few years. Became very involved in TX politics. His troupes secured TX independence from Mexico and he became the President of the Republic of TX. Continued to serve in various offices until the state seceded in 1861. http://www.lsjunction.com/people/houston.htm
Tammy Wynette
p19
(1942-1998) Famous county singer. Best known for her song "Stand By Your Man". http://www.tammywynette.com/
Walter Cronkite
p44
Born 1969. Broadcast journalist best known as an anchorman for CBS from 1950 to 1981. Once considered "most trusted figure" in American public life
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/C/htmlC/cronkitewal/cronkitewal.htm
Will Rogers
p48
1879-1935. Oklahoman Cherokee cowboy, known for his skill with a lasso (landing him in the Guinness Book of World Records) as well as his sharp wit. His acts became best known for his ingenious jokes as time went on. A 10th grade drop-out, he became a star in 71 films and several Broadway shows. He also wrote 6 books and over 4,000 syndicated newspaper columns.
http://www.willrogers.com/ http://www.willrogers.org/wrbio.html
Dolly Partonp26
Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is a Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter, author, actor and philanthropist, known for her prolific work in country music. In the 44 years since her national chart debut, she remains the most successful female artist in the history of country music. She is known for her distinctive mountain soprano, sometimes bawdy humor, flamboyant dress sense and voluptuous figure. (As well as being distinctive for large blonde hair in the 1970's.)
Johnny Carsonp79
(1925-2005) Hosted NBC's The Tonight Show from 1962-1992. The remark that the Chicken Ranch story is either ridiculous because this was solely a local affair, or the issue would have been mentioned in Carson's opening monologue as a comment on the current news issues.
http://www.johnnycarson.com/carson/
Lawrence Welkp43
The Lawrence Welk Show begin in 1955 and ran until 1982. The show featured easy-listening music and a 'family' of wholesome performers. Though it was canceled by ABC in 1971, Welk lined up over 200 independent stations to form his own syndicated network. Very popular with all generation of viewers as an alternative to brash sitcoms.
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/L/htmlL/lawrencewelk/lawrencewelk.htm
Teddy Rooseveltp11
(1858-1919) Lead the Rough Riders at charge of San Juan Hill. 26th President (1901-1909)
Matt Dillon (with a toothache)p49
Marshal Matt Dillon is a fictional character featured on both the radio and television versions of Gunsmoke. He serves as the U.S. Marshal of Dodge City, Kansas who works to preserve law and order in the western frontier of the 1870's. Radio series 1952-61, television series from 1955-1975
Mike Wallacep44
Famous broadcast journalist. Best known for work on 60 Minutes, which he has been with since 1968. http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/W/htmlW/wallacemike/wallacemike.htm
Sam Houstonp60
(1793-1863) Born VA, became Gov of TN, exited politics and moved to TX with some friends after living with the Cherokee for a few years. Became very involved in TX politics. His troupes secured TX independence from Mexico and he became the President of the Republic of TX. Continued to serve in various offices until the state seceded in 1861. http://www.lsjunction.com/people/houston.htm
Tammy Wynettep19
(1942-1998) Famous county singer. Best known for her song "Stand By Your Man". http://www.tammywynette.com/
Walter Cronkite p44
Born 1969. Broadcast journalist best known as an anchorman for CBS from 1950 to 1981. Once considered "most trusted figure" in American public life
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/C/htmlC/cronkitewal/cronkitewal.htm
Will Rogers p48
1879-1935. Oklahoman Cherokee cowboy, known for his skill with a lasso (landing him in the Guinness Book of World Records) as well as his sharp wit. His acts became best known for his ingenious jokes as time went on. A 10th grade drop-out, he became a star in 71 films and several Broadway shows. He also wrote 6 books and over 4,000 syndicated newspaper columns.
http://www.willrogers.com/ http://www.willrogers.org/wrbio.html
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