Billie Rae Bates's Blog, page 23

This Hazzard Fest is going to hit all the high notes

This author must admit I remain a bit skeptical when I see events scheduled while we're still in the thick of the Plague That Changed Our Lives, but lots of folks are getting vaccinated, right? And this is an outdoor event, not an indoor one. AND it's all the way over in October. So that means it will happen, right? We certainly hope so, because this "Dukes of Hazzard"-themed show is looking really big.

Scheduled for October 8-9 in Tennessee, Hazzard Fest bills not only Catherine ("Daisy Duke") Bach and Tom ("Luke Duke") Wopat on its site, but also Chris ("Jeb Duke") Hensel, Rick ("Cletus Hogg") Hurst, stuntman Angelo Lamonea, and we saw our buddy Byron ("Coy Duke") Cherry talking about being there on his Facebook yesterday. Jam-packed!!! But THEN there is a large assortment of other stars of TV and the like, from shows like "Duck Dynasty" "Moonshiners." There are WWE stars and there's even UFC Hall of Famer Dan Severn, which is motivation enough for me to hop in the car and
drive down there!

It happens at the Greene County Fairgrounds in Greeneville, Tennessee. Get your tickets on the event website.

Terrific non-TV Toys: Dawn dolls, case and clothing, 1970s

Alas, the moment has arrived, and it's a long moment -- our longest episode so far in the T3 series. It's the Dawn dolls of this author's childhood, and it's something I have looked forward to showing for so long! When I was a kid, Dawn dolls were absolutely *it* for me -- I loved them more than any other dolls. They were basically Barbies but in roughly half-size, and they had all kinds of groovy fashions to wear, plus some other amazing accessories. A beauty pageant playset, a dancing platform, and more. Why did these dolls only stay on store shelves for about three years? Who knows, but they're fairly valuable now, among collectors. Let's step inside the world of Dawn ....

Six Feet Under Hollywood: "It's a Cookbook!" A look at the career of Lloyd Bochner

We know the stately Lloyd Bochner from "The Twilight Zone" and "The Green Hornet," but we know him best as Cecil Colby on "Dynasty." Did you know that the way Cecil met his death in that very memorable scene with Alexis would seem a sort of harbinger to a lost role for him later? He was also cast as C.C. Capwell just as our beloved daytime soap "Santa Barbara" was about to debut in summer 1984, but a heart attack derailed those plans. His "Dynasty" castmate Peter Mark Richman took the role instead. Well, our friend Brian has done it again, profiling another great star of classic TV on his Six Feet Under Hollywood blog, showcasing a career that went so far beyond "Dynasty" ...

Six Feet Under Hollywood: It's a Cookbook!: Lloyd Wolfe Bochner was born in Toronto on July 29, 1924.  He was born to a middle-class Jewish family and knew from a very young age that ...

Six Feet Under Hollywood: Paul Winfield

Six Feet Under Hollywood: Paul Winfield: Catch the latest blog post from our buddy Brian, who profiles prolific TV and movie actor Paul Winfield ... "I was given a lot of prestige as a distinguished black actor but very little power.  They give prestige out by the buckets, but they give power by the teaspoon, just enough to stroke your ego."
  -- Paul Winfield

"The Rapture Chronicles" returns for Season 2

In the age of COVID-19 and Zoom meetings, director Dray Hill and his "The Rapture Chronicles" web series have adapted: The first episode of the second season occurs on Zoom! See just how this online meeting goes, as the leaders of a church discuss something important that's come up. How do their priorities rate? Are they #RaptureReady? Watch it at the series' Facebook page or via the YouTube embed ...

Also catch my own interview preceding the episode!

Cooter plans Hazzard Run in October

Passing along a note from Cooter's Place and Ben (“Cooter Davenport”) of “The Dukes of Hazzard,” who has revved up plans for the return of his popular Hazzard Run for later this year ...

 

Y'all Join Us...

in a convoy through the beautiful mountains of Virginia and the scenic Shenandoah Valley! We will be meeting at Cooter's Place in Luray, Virginia on October 1, 2021 for a 3 day celebration of the Dukes of Hazzard and Hazzard Nation. It's going to be a blast. We will keep you updated on the planned festivities throughout the year. Vehicle registration is free. Simply add the free product to your cart along with any Hazzard Run 2021 merchandise you want. Please add a separate registration for each replica vehicle or hot rod you plan to bring. That will help us plan and organize the convoy.

For More Info On Hazzard Run:
Bobby Scott (765) 341-6949

Terrific TV Toys: Electra Woman figure by Living Toyz, 2000

Here's a blast from the past that we have not yet explored on Terrific TV Toys ... "Electra Woman and Dyna Girl," a perhaps tad obscure part of our Saturday mornings in the 1970s but nonetheless fondly remembered by hardcore Gen-Xers. They were sort of a female Batman and Robin, triapsing around solving crimes with some fab gadgets. They didn't have superpowers or anything -- they relied on their ingenuity. 

Electra Woman was portrayed by a very young Deidre Hall, who would go on to great fame on "Days of Our Lives." Her heroic spirit is captured here in a figure by Living Toyz, part of a larger set celebrating the characters of "The Krofft Supershow" (which even had comic books back then as it brought live-action kids' entertainment to Saturday mornings).

 

Terrific non-TV Toys: "Wizard of Oz" music box, 2009

Just how do you get home from the Land of Oz? By clicking together the heels of your ruby slippers, of course. And lest we ever forget that trick, this lovely music box by the San Francisco Music Box Co. is there to remind us. Released at the 70th anniversary of the famous flick, this beauty features sculpted images around the base and a couple shiny, glittery slippers atop. It's the star of the latest episode of Terrific non-TV Toys ...

“Dynasty” cast virtual reunion set for next month

A virtual reunion of a delightful bevy of “Dynasty” cast members? Why, that’s the best idea this author has heard all pandemic long! And just look at the lineup. Can’t wait to see (and hear). This is a benefit for research into what’s being called Long-Covid, which Emma (second Fallon) Samms has been dealing with for months. Evidently a quiz and auction are involved? Sounds great. Head over to DynastyReunion.com for the deal, Neil.

Catch BRB's new interview on Detroit talk show

Many thanks to Ms. Marguerite Bonner, producer and promoter extraordinaire, for the opportunity to interview via Zoom on her new Detroit-based talk show with IPTV / Urban Information Network. Marguerite, of FaceCast Media, serves as the host of the show, "A Talk with the Producer," working with executive producer Matt Martin, and a variety of guests will be featured as the episodes roll out. In the episode we shot last Thursday evening, social media influencer Tsunamiho also guested. Stay tuned for where / when this episode airs and gets posted!