Humorist Will Rogers was a famous Oklahoman who once said, "I never yet met a man I didn't like." Another famous son of Oklahoma, Vince Gill, is one of those men everyone seems to like. Now the two have more in common than just their home state.The Tulsa World Scene reports that Vince is set to receive the Will Rogers Spirit Award from Tulsa, Oklahoma's Rotary Club of Will Rogers. The organization honors people whose lives "meet the standards of the late American folk hero."
A native of Norman, Okla., the Country Music Hall of Famer is being recognized in part for his many charitable efforts, including the annual Vince Gill Pro-Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament -- also known as "The Vinny" -- now in its 16th year.
Vince will receive his award at the upcoming 2009 Gala "Oklahoma Swing," scheduled to take place in Tulsa's legendary Cain's Ballroom on Nov. 8. In addition to the award presentation, the fundraising ceremony will include entertainment and a live auction. Money raised will benefit the Rotary Club of Will Rogers and the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.'s Oklahoma Chapter One, which sends care packages to troops stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other "hostile" areas around the world.
Toby Keith and Garth Brooks have previously been honored with the award.
Reader Comments(1 of 1)
Karenat 10-01-2009
Way to go Oklahoma!! Vince Gill has deserved this award for many, many years! Vince has been know around Nashville as Mr. Nice Guy for YEARS!!! I have met Vince on several occasions and each time he has shown nothing but the utmost respect and courtsey! Vince Gill is a Class Act!!
Deon and familyat 10-02-2009
Its about time. Vince is one of a kind.
danmcgrew123at 10-03-2009
Sorry Booters,
Will Rogers DID NOT what you reported, which is not surprising because Uncle Clem Rogers' Wild Willy is misquoted most of the time on that line.
What he said was, "I never met a man who I couldn't find something to like about with him."
Big difference in "something to line about every man" and "liking every man."
Garth's ranch is just a stone's through from Will's birthplace, even though the old Rogers Ranch homesite is under waters behind the Oolagah Dam.
Will did say, "It wouldn't be so bad that everytime Congress passes a law, it's a joke. What's bad is every time they tell a joke, it becomes the law."
osagehandat 10-04-2009
Your summation --"Will Rogers was a famous Oklahoman" is akin to reporting that George Washington occupied a public office in his lifetime.
Will Rogers was the heart and soul of the U.S. for two decades.
He was "The Star" of Broadway, with the Ziegfield Follies, had a daily radio broadcast aired by virtually every top major and minor market station of the day, wrote a daily newspapers column carried in a majority all daily newspapers and sometimes was booked into two-three-four public appearances in a day by his booking agents.
He was the Honorary Mayor of Beverly Hills.
Early in the 1920s, Will Rogers began investing in cheap Southern California land, particularly around a remote beach and brush-filled canyons area west of L.A. called Malibu.
His rustic ranch style home and grounds were donated to the State for a state park, which exists until today.
He advised many Hollywood youngsters, including the young Joel McCrea to buy Southern California land.
Those that followed his advice usually profited hugely.
His uncanny ability to sum up complex situations with a few gently humorous words made him the most popular American.
Asked about running for Congress with his popularity, he responded as a sort of a comedian or humorist, he did not like to get too close to the competition, "After all, every time Congress passes a law, it's a joke. That's not so bad, but every time they tell a joke, it becomes the law."
When the Great Depression quit, Will Rogers appeared at every benefit to help people he could reach.
His keen analysis of the depressin, "The United States has the distinction of being the only nation to go to the Poor House in a Model-T Ford."
An unabashed Democrat, and proudly so, nevertheless, he commented "I am not a member of any organized political party, I'm a Democrat."
When his beloved Oklahoma continued prohibition after repeal of the Volstad Act as one of the few "totally dry" states, he offered, "The people of Oklahoma will vote dry, just so long as they can stagger to the polls."