Official Handbook: FESS PARKER as DANIEL BOONE Trail Blazers Club (1964)

Back in 1964, in the first issue of Gold Key's Daniel Boone, us kids were invited to destroy the comic by cutting pages out of the back to make this dandy handbook. WARNING: Please don't try this at home! It could severely damage your computer monitor!

CONGRATULATIONS!

You are now an official Fess Parker/Daniel Boone Trail Blazer!

CROCKETT COURIER-POST: The Ballad - Part 1 (1955)

Oakland Tribune, Feb. 19, 1955

Des Moines Register, Feb. 20, 1955

Chicago Tribune, Feb. 28, 1955

North Hollywood Valley Times , Feb. 28, 1955

Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, Mar. 4, 1955

Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, Mar. 11, 1955

Los Angeles Times, Mar. 14, 1955

Holdrege Daily Citizen, Mar. 18, 1955

DC TRIP: The Tall American

Yeah, we paid another visit to this guy. Hasn't moved a muscle since we saw him ten years ago. His butt must be getting sore.

A 1917 copy of a life mask made in 1860, before Abe ran for President. 

1917 copy of an 1865 life mask.

The hat he wore to Ford's Theater.

One of the pillows he bled on before dying. 

The tower of Lincoln books we saw at the Ford's Theater museum.

This song was running through my head the whole time.

The Battle of DAVY CROCKETT, Round 2: Fess Parker vs. Mac Wiseman

Two more of the many BODC releases of 1955. Fess Parker recorded the ballad at least four times, but this was the first released. His was the second biggest seller of the year, following Bill Hayes'. We'll hear Fess's other efforts further down the road. Mac Wiseman recorded another (and much smoother) version later, too. 

"Old Betsy" by Fess Parker and Buddy Ebsen

"Be Sure You're Right (and Then Go Ahead)" by Fess Parker and Buddy Ebsen

"The Ballad of Kit Carson" by Fess Parker

Forgotten Music: FESS PARKER

Given recent events, this seems the appropriate time to remember the musical stylings of Mr. Fess Parker.

You've probably heard at least one of his four versions of "The Ballad of Davy Crockett", but Fess didn't stop there. He recorded enough other stuff to fill two whole LPs - and then some.

Over half of Fess's musical output is now available on two CDs (see them HERE.) Several of those tunes are featured on YouTube, but a couple of my favorites are not, and I present them for you here:

"Be Sure You're Right" by Fess Parker & Buddy Ebsen

"King of the River" by Fess Parker

For links to more of today's Forgotten Music, visit the master deejay Scott Parker.