James Arness (Marshal Matt Dillon) was the star of the hottest TV show on the air and the headliner of the Sikeston Bootheel Rodeo, probably 1955 or 1956.

(Wikipedia) “The TV series Gunsmoke  ran from September 10, 1955, to March 31, 1975, on CBS, with 635 total episodes. It was the second Western television series written for adults, premiering on September 10, 1955. During its second season in 1956, the program joined the list of the top ten television programs broadcast in the United States. It quickly moved to number one and stayed there until 1961. It remained among the top 20 programs until 1964.”

Someone at KBOA came up with the idea of having Craig Watson and me “interview” Marshal Dillon. (Our fathers were announcers at the station). In the photo above KBOA News Director John Reeder is holding the mic. I asked Mr. Arness if we should call him “Mr. Arness” or “Marshal Dillon” and replied, “I don’t care what you call me, just don’t call me late for dinner.”

I had gotten a Fanner 50 six shooter and holster for Christmas the year before and “Matt” was kind enough to autograph the holster. No, I don’t still have it but sure wish I did.

The tape of that “interview” is long gone but I remember how cool it was to hear it played on the radio station the next day. For a couple of seven-year-olds in 1955, it just didn’t get any better than this.