Memories Of The Lone Ranger

Clint shares his memories of meeting his childhood hero

It's always wonderful for myself and Joy to hear your memories of days gone by and this one comes from Clint who has agreed to let us share it with you.

While I never met Brace Beemer who played the "Lone Ranger" on radio, I did meet Clayton Moore who successfully played the ranger on TV.

When I was ten in 1951 my mom and dad moved to Okmulgee, Oklahoma where dad was going to school at Oklahoma A&M on the G.I bill. I used to go to the big cafeteria on campus and on Thursday night I would buy a cinnamon roll and a big mug of root beer, both for a dime and watch the"Lone Ranger". I would just get thrilled when I would see that field of wheat and general mills sponsored the telecast and hear that William Tell Overture beginning the story of the "Lone Ranger".

So when I was 30 I had an opportunity to see Clayton Moore in Wichita,Kansas. At that time there was a conflict with his wearing the mask and he had to take it off but in place of the mask he wore dark sunglasses.There was a line a mile long waiting to greet Clayton. I had my three sons and wife with me in line and the fellow who was just ahead of me just literally fell apart when he shook hands and became a 10-year-old kid again.

I said that won’t happen to me. Lost words because when he shook hands with me, I too became that little 10 year-old who used to buy that roll and drink that root beer and sit glued to that screen. I was on my way to do a concert in the eastern part of the state and just had to stop on my way in my one chance to see my childhood hero. I had a cassette tape of my music and remember giving him the tape and also remember me saying, "Gosh, I watched you when I was 10 years-old and you’ve always been my hero." He said, "Son, it looks like we’re both getting older".

That’s my memory of the Lone Ranger. To me he’ll always be that man in the mask astride his white horse galloping off in the distance and hearing him say, "Hi Yo Silver, Let’s Go Big Fellow. On Silver, Hi Yo Silver".

Ah memories!

Thanks for sharing those memories with us Clint.

And to take you back there in your memory I'll add an episode of the Lone Ranger each day this week.

Happy listening my friends,