Gail Davis and Dale Robertson visited Winston-Salem in May 1959 as guests of the rodeo. This was Robertson’s second appearance at Winston-Salem’s rodeo, since he also starred the previous year. It was also the second time the rodeo came to the coliseum in Winston-Salem.
The rodeo was sponsored by P. H. Hanes Knitting Company and Blue Bell, Inc. of Greensboro. The net profits of the rodeo were designated for three Boy Scout councils. P. Huber Hanes Jr., president of P. H. Hanes Knitting Company, received a surprise award for “outstanding service to Boy Scouts.”
Dale Robertson was known for his television series, “Tales of Wells Fargo.” His appearance at the rodeo was his first rodeo appearance, but he was scheduled to join Gail and the rest of the rodeo for the Charlotte and Raleigh events.
Gail Davis was in town for the entire rodeo and even met Governor Luther Hodges (right) when he visited with several industrialists who came to Winston-Salem to learn about and tour several local industries. The governor was promoting business in North Carolina. John Watlington is standing at left.
Gail played Annie Oakley in the television series of the same name. At the rodeos, the children were excited to see one of their favorite television stars in person. She said that they always asked about her horse, whose name was Target. And, the little girls wanted their hair braided into pigtails, just like Gail’s pigtails. Gail could shoot and ride horses when she was a little girl, so she was a “cowgirl” hero to the children.
Gail appeared in westerns with Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. She also made records.
Photographs courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
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