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Tag: Dukes of Hazzard

  • Ben Jones: ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ Actor (Cooter Davenport) Defends Confederate Flag

    Ben Jones is probably best known for playing the role of Cooter Davenport on The Dukes of Hazzard, but at the moment he’s known for his adamant defense of the Confederate flag.

    Jones spoke out in defense of the Confederate flag on Tuesday, calling it a “symbol that represents the indomitable spirit of independence.”

    The actor and former Georgia congressman aired his beliefs via Facebook, in a rant written solely in capital letters.

    Ben Jones claims the Confederate flag is a “beloved symbol” now being attacked “in a wave of political correctness that is unprecedented in our nation of free speech and free expression.”

    The Dukes of Hazzard franchise became involved in the renewed debate over the Confederate flag when Warner Bros. Consumer Products said they’ll no longer license toy cars or models of General Lee–the famed Dukes of Hazzard car that appeared in the TV series–because it bears the Confederate flag.

    Ben Jones has no plans to follow suit. He runs three ‘Cooter’s Place’ stores in Virginia and Tennessee and says he has no plans to stop selling merchandise that bears the Confederate flag.

    TO ALL OF OUR FRIENDS AND FANS FROM BEN JONES AKA “COOTER”I THINK ALL OF HAZZARD NATION UNDERSTANDS THAT THE…

    Posted by Ben Cooter Jones on Tuesday, June 23, 2015

    In light of the recent church shooting in Charleston and the decision of South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley to remove the Confederate flag from the state house grounds, Ben Jones is showing his true colors by not only refusing to remove Confederate flag merchandise from his stores, but also by defending his ‘beloved symbol’ on Facebook.

    His ‘beloved symbol’ represents a time when it was legal to own slaves.

    What’s your take on the actions–or lack thereof–on behalf of the Dukes of Hazzard actor?

  • ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ Star James Best–Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane–Dies at 88

    Dukes of Hazzard star James Best, known for his role as Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane, died Monday, April 6th in North Carolina at the age of 88.

    In addition to the Dukes of Hazzard, Best also appeared in many other roles on both TV and in films. Those roles included The Caine Mutiny (1954), alongside actor Humphrey Bogart, and The Left Handed Gun, in which he starred with Paul Newman. He also appeared on The Andy Griffith Show, Bonanza, and Gunsmoke.

    An obituary for the actor is posted on his website. The Dukes of Hazzard clearly played a big role in his life.

    “Throughout the decades that followed its seven-season run and two reunion movies, “Dukes” continued to keep Jimmie busy with reunions and personal appearances at festivals and fan gatherings. Through the enormous viewership of “Dukes” reruns, the popularity of the show has now spanned several generations of fans,” his obituary reads.

    Tom Wopat, known for his Dukes of Hazzard role as Luke Duke, was quoted in the obituary as well.

    “He was a fine actor, director and mentor, and an even better friend,” he wrote.

    Sonny Shroyer, who played Deputy Sheriff Enos Strate in the series wrote, “James Best will go down as one of the greatest actors that ever lived.

    James Best appeared on The Dukes of Hazzard from 1979 to 1985–throughout the show’s entire run.

    In addition to acting, James Best also ran an acting school. Some of his notable students throughout the years included Clint Eastwood, Farrah Fawcett, Regis Philbin and Quentin Tarantino.

    The acting world has certainly lost a beloved character in the passing of Dukes of Hazzard star James Best. The actor is survived by his wife, Dorothy Collier, his son Gary Allen Best and wife Angela, his daughter JoJami Best Tyler and husband Eric, and his daughter Janeen Damian and husband Michael Damian; as well as by grandchildren Lauren Best, Cameron Tyler, and Tessa Tyler.

  • ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ Star James Best–Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane–Dead at 88

    Dukes of Hazzard star James Best, known for his role as Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane, died Monday in North Carolina at the age of 88.

    Born in Kentucky, the actor also appeared in many other roles on both TV and in films. Those roles included The Caine Mutiny (1954), alongside actor Humphrey Bogart, and The Left Handed Gun, in which he starred with Paul Newman. He also appeared on popular TV programs including The Andy Griffith Show, Bonanza, and Gunsmoke.

    James Best appeared on The Dukes of Hazzard from 1979 to 1985–throughout the show’s entire run.

    An obituary for the actor is posted on his website. The Dukes of Hazzard clearly played a big role in his life.

    “Throughout the decades that followed its seven-season run and two reunion movies, “Dukes” continued to keep Jimmie busy with reunions and personal appearances at festivals and fan gatherings. Through the enormous viewership of “Dukes” reruns, the popularity of the show has now spanned several generations of fans,” his obituary reads.

    Tom Wopat, known for his Dukes of Hazzard role as Luke Duke, was quoted in the obituary as well.

    “He was a fine actor, director and mentor, and an even better friend,” he wrote.

    Sonny Shroyer, known for his Dukes of Hazzard role as Deputy Sheriff Enos Strate in the series, wrote, “James Best will go down as one of the greatest actors that ever lived.”

    In addition to acting, James Best also ran an acting school. Some of his notable students throughout the years included Clint Eastwood, Farrah Fawcett, Regis Philbin and Quentin Tarantino.

    The acting world has certainly lost a beloved character in the passing of Dukes of Hazzard star James Best. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Collier, as well as son Gary Allen Best and wife Angela, daughter JoJami Best Tyler and husband Eric, and daughter Janeen Damian and husband Michael Damian; and by grandchildren Lauren Best, Cameron Tyler, and Tessa Tyler.

  • Dukes of Hazzard are Releasing a Christmas Album

    Bo and Luke Duke are back. Well, John Schneider and Tom Wopat are back together. Both men have enjoyed success as singers since their hit TV show The Dukes of Hazzard. Schneider has had hit country songs. Wopat has performed in Broadway musicals, to much acclaim.

    The pair have sung together in concert before, but now they are releasing a project together. It is a Christmas album called Home for Christmas.

    “I think this is a fresh take on the Christmas album,” Tom Wopat said in a statement. “Jazz fans and serious musicians will appreciate what we’ve done with theses tunes. Our arranger John Oddo has a true affinity for that classic 50s and 60s sound. He really nails it. [Jazz pianist and arranger] Tedd Firth is a major talent and a creative voice. And, of course, I love singing with John Schneider. The timbre of our voices match, the harmonies blend so easily. Plus, he’s a barrel of laughs.”

    John Schneider said, “Tom and I really bring out the best in each other. We may not sound alike when we talk, but when we sing sometimes you can’t tell us apart. In the studio, I put him first and he puts me first. If that’s not friendship, I don’t know what is.”

    The album is not just a collection of Christmas tunes. There are short spoken pieces between some songs that feature the pair’s humor. Think of it like a Tenacious D album, but with jazz arrangements and the humor of the Dukes of Hazzard.

    The album is in stores and online October 28. The duo will put on a concert at Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater on December 2 at 9:30 PM.

    Here is the track listing for Home for Christmas:

    1. Merry Christmas (:17)
    2. “Christmas Time is Here” (3:14)
    3. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” (3:05)
    4. “Cool Yule” (3:21)
    5. “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” (3:34)
    6. “Even the Snow (Falls for You)” (3:13)
    7. Love (0:13)
    8. “Sleigh Ride” (3:56)
    9. “Christmas Waltz” (3:23)
    10. “Johnny, It’s Cold Outside” (3:23)
    11. “The Secret of Christmas” (3:08)
    12. Coal (0:05)
    13. “Blue Xmas” (2:53)
    14. “Holiday Season” (2:48)
    15. Ponch & John (0:13)
    16. “On a Quiet Christmas Morn” (2:55)
    17. “Silver Bells” (2:48)
    18. Egg Nog (0:11)

  • ‘Duck Dynasty:’ Willie Robertson Addresses Manufacturer & Business Association’s 109th Annual Event

    Duck Dynasty’s own Willie Robertson addressed the annual meeting of the Manufacturer & Business Associations 109th annual event in Erie, Pennsylvania on Saturday, and noted how his family business was a successful one even before Duck Dynasty became an A&E hit show.

    “I can’t think of a more true American success story than my family. We had nothing. We came from nothing,” he said to the crowd.

    Willie went on to explain how he remembered watching Dukes of Hazzard on TV while making the duck calls that made his family so famous. He recalled taking orders over the phone (a land line, of course) and then writing down those orders on the back of a paper plate.

    Robertson said he learned how to work hard by “sweeping floors, folding boxes and testing duck calls,” and that his sales and marketing skills were perfected during his two-hour school bus ride each day when he sold candy and gum to his classmates. The school’s principal eventually shut that operation down, he noted, because it was cutting in to the haul at the school concession stand. These components fueled Willie Robertson’s longing for success.

    Today Robertson defines success a bit differently, citing a prayer at the dinner table with his family.

    “That’s success,” he said.

    Willie told the gathering about the day he approached his dad, the Duck Dynasty patriarch and rather controversial Phil Robertson, and asked to run the family duck call business.

    “I told Dad, ‘I’m going to take the business to the next level,’” he said. “I didn’t know what the next level was.”

    That’s how he came to be CEO of Duck Commander, which is still based in West Monroe, Louisiana, where the reality show is filmed. Robertson assured the crowd that what they see on TV isn’t fiction. He says the family does work together in their effort to fill orders. He admits it’s not entirely the whole truth either, however. Since his father made him promise, upon taking over the business, that he would never fire a family member, Willie Robertson says there are about 100 employees who work off camera. They don’t get time off to go hunting frogs.

    Before closing the Duck Dynasty star also made mention of Phil Robertson’s recent interview with GQ magazine, during which he made his infamous controversial statements about gays.

    “He speaks his mind,” Robertson said of his father. “He made Christmas interesting for me.”

    Willie Robertson no doubt made this year’s gathering of the Manufacturer & Business Association’s event very interesting, too. He wore his signature bandana and some folks in the audience mimicked his–or other Duck Dynasty star’s–trademark looks.

    In previous years the gathering has been addressed by Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It seems Willie Robertson is definitely playing in the big leagues now.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons