Golden Boot Awards Committee)

I am aware of all the hard work and tireless efforts that have brought the Golden Boot Awards committee on their long journey. I only wish continued success and Happy Trails. It is in this spirit I make these suggestions. Once a month release an announcement that a Golden Boot has been awarded “IN MEMORIAM” to those western greats who aren’t here anymore. Their name will be added to the list of honorees…posthumously. Greats like Gabby Hayes, Smiley Burnette, Johnny Mack Brown, Jane Frazee, Duncan Renaldo, Edgar Buchanan, Tim McCoy, Penny Edwards, Allan “Rocky” Lane, Don “Red” Barry, Harry Lauter, Frank McDonald, Andy Clyde, Bill Elliott, Jimmy Wakely, Nan Leslie, Broncho Billy Anderson, George Archainbaud, Fuzzy Knight, Charles King, Roy Barcroft, Vera Ralston, Bob Woodward, Walter Brennan, etc., etc., etc.…deserve their names added to the list of honorees. This gesture would surely make the Golden Boot Award more prestigious. I’m not alone when asked, “How can they have many of the past boot honorees and not include these true western greats.” It doesn’t make sense. If there is a rule, then…Change the Rule. This should be an issue of the Golden Boot Award committee only and not impact on the Fund itself. If it doesn’t cost the fund a penny and they don’t have to use any of their resources, they shouldn’t mind. There are many PR firms who are fans of the awards show; they would be more than willing to send out a release each month making the announcement. At the end of each release add the date of the next Boot Awards dinner. This will help keep needed awareness all year long. At the dinner each year a tape of all 12 inductees can be shown in a two-minute salute. There should be no extra cost incurred, only the committee’s time to pick the honorees; all 12 at one time, then monthly make the announcement. Posthumous awards presented under the one-a-month concept would receive a certificate (if there is a family or organization to accept it). I, along with a group of western supporters, would be more than willing to discuss with the committee the possibility of defraying any actual added cost to make sure these western greats are given their due. Our family has long been supporters of the fund, I can’t think of a more worthy organization. Please don’t forget the vision of Pat Buttram, the Godfather and founder of the Golden Boot. His original intent was to honor those who never get the attention of the Oscar or the Golden Globe etc. Pat said, “The only real heroes America has are the cowboys. Westerns will always live in our hearts and pay no rent.” I also suggest next year Elvis Presley be given the Golden Boot Award (“Love Me Tender”, “Charro”, “Frankie and Johnny”, “Stay Away Joe” etc.). Invite his daughter Lisa Marie or wife Priscilla to receive it in his honor. Elvis has a great following and would sell a lot of tables. When people tour Graceland his Boot Award would be on display to over 600,000 visitors a year. This would give international awareness to the award. The Boot must enter the millennium. Don’t allow it to become like Republic Pictures when they ignored changing times and television for so long, it eventually helped lead to their downfall. Change with the times. Work more closely with the head of the Motion Picture and TV Fund, David Tillman (he’s tied in with today’s filmmakers, many are on the fund’s board). Invite him to next year’s dinner so he’ll catch the Boot fever. He’ll see the wonderful tradition you’ve established and be made more personally aware this is important for the Fund. He’ll make sure younger stars attend to accept or present the award. Use all the resources the Fund can offer. They have clout. Being a board member of The Jimmy Stewart Museum and The Donna Reed Foundation I’m aware of the many issues you are faced with, however, I feel this is important and should be discussed and not ignored. Please give it your time… It’s our future.

Sincerely,

Jimmy Hawkins, TV’s Tagg Oakley

(The “Annie Oakley” Series)

Gene Autry Flying A Productions ‘53-‘58