Who Was Will Rogers?
From the Will Rogers Museum Brochure
Will Rogers was one of the most popular and best loved of all Americans. This was a reflection of his total public personality---the folksy humorist, the old country boy who remained a country boy, the homespun columnist who seemed able to put his finger so accurately on what was troubling people and put things into perpective for tham.
From Joseph H Carter, author of, "Never Met a Man I Didn't Like,
The Life & Writings Of Will Rogers".
"Will Rogers was America. Part Cherokee Indian and former cowboy, he captivated audiences around the world with sparkling gems of wisdom cloaked in gentle and uproarious country wit and astonishing rope tricks. His words are as entertaining, inspiring and relevant today as they ever were. A simple, plain spoken man, he was the voice of a nation during the '20s and '30s. Movie star, vaudeville headliner, radio commentator, his views and observations were syndicated daily and weekly in over
600 newspapers across the countrt. Will Rogers story and legacy is of a man who had a "remarkable career, from Oklahoma 'cowpuncher' to international star and the warm, knowing and hilarious philosophies of the man sho embodied the heart and soul of his nation."
As I See Him
"America's Greatest Humorist"
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Will Rogers became the voice of the common man spending a great deal of his time visiting with and listening to people on the street; the waitress or server, the cowboy, the farmer, performers and everyone who represented the average person trying to make a living; the people working at doing the right thing by honoring their responsibilities and commitments as they knew best.
Will liked people and he never forgot his roots. Consequently, he was able to connect with folks in a way most politicians, heads of states and those in high places could not. In many cases, those folks were more interested in their own agenda than in the people who helped get them elected.
---Some things haven't changed.
Through his messages and style of delivery, he relayed to the entire nation what was really going on in the heart of the country. As a result of his communicating style,compassion for people, values and principles, he was accepted, respected, trusted and honored throughout the world by the common man and royalty. He lived the values and principles of his inner being and those were conveyed throughout his messages.
Will Rogers was the consummate networker. Through his contacts, friendship and cowboy persona, he was able to open doors, access and befriend the influential, the powerful, the wealth or the cowboy on the trail.
He was able to see more in others than they saw in themselves and as a result many achieved more than they ever thought possile by knowing him He was intensely inquisitive about life and people, traveled extensively while constantly gathering information about the world he experienced. He was a prolific reader, could cut through verbiage quickly and reduce it to understandable terms and concepts that made sense, common sense.
It seemed opportunity continued to knock on his door. When it did, Will invited it in and allowed it to create another avenue or vehicle for his talents and messages, whether it was stage, radio, movies, journalism, investments or after dinner speaking. He was a model of doing passionately what one does best, then constantly honing those talents and skills. As a result, opportunities aligning with that passion showed up.
He was passionate about life, family, career and people. He wasn't hesitant to let the world see who he was. A life of giving to others created immeasurable rewards for Will, not only in recognition, wealth and stature, but also in the difference he made in the lives of others. He'll always be remembered for the legacy and light he left behind.
those lessons he taught us about being true to ourselves, living our values and principles, being on purpose, working our craft, networking, sharing our gifts through philanthropy, embracing opportunity and remembering those who helped us succed. These are all lessons for me and I share these brief moments and thoughts with you, so you too will be exposed to Will Rogers' philosophy and perhaps on or two of his gifts will make a difference in your life and the lives of those you thouch.
Charley
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