Apple Valley Tutors Come To You

Apple Valley was home to the ‘King of the Cowboys”, one of the most popular Western stars of all time Roy Rogers. Rogers was famous for his appearance in countless movies, radio shows, for his band, and for his self-titled television show “The Roy Rogers Show”. Apple Valley tutors recall also that at one time there were hundreds of Roy Rogers Restaurants. At its peak the chain had over 650 sites, today there are just 54 locations in the U.S. The original commercials advertising Roy Rogers Restaurants were filmed in the Apple Valley.

Roy Rogers had been performing as part of a band for 5 years prior to his first film appearance, it was best known in its incarnation as “Sons of The Pioneers”. It was his sister Mary who initially persuaded him to sing on KCMS, the local radio station, that were auditioning for the “Midnight Frolic” radio program. From that on-air audition he was contacted by a local country pop music group and his music career took off. Eventually by 1934 their fame extended beyond the local venues of Los Angeles as their music was broadcast on syndicated radio shows across the nation. They were signed by a record label and released the famous “Cool Water”. One of 32 songs they released under label “Decca”. So, it was natural that he would be hired for his first movie role because of his capabilities as a singer. The singing cowboy role was perfect for him.

His first film appearance was in 1935 as a singing cowboy. Rogers’ career skyrocketed due to something beyond his control. At that time Gene Autry was the big name in Hollywood and was cast as the leading man in many Western motion pictures. Gene Autry petitioned for a bigger salary. The studios reacted by auditioning for someone else to take his role. This provided the perfect springboard for Rogers who had already played the singing cowboy role on a smaller scale. It was at this time he was given the name Roy Rogers previously having been billed under his ‘real’ name Leonard Franklin Slye. His first leading role was in “Under Western Stars” and it was a big success. He became competition for Gene Autry and appeared alongside John Wayne in the classic “Dark Command”.

Rogers went from being a poor young man having to leave school to work at a shoe factory to help support the family, to one of Hollywood’s highest paid actors. He used his wealth to support numerable charities, supporting homeless and handicapped children. He and his partner adopted several children. In later life they made their home in Apple Valley. Apple Valley tutors recognize various streets, highways and civic buildings have been named after them.