Big Tex: Difference between revisions

| completion_date = 1949 {{small|(As Santa Clause)}}<br/>1952 {{small|(First version)}}<br/>2013 {{small|(Second1949–2012, versionoriginal)}}

Big Tex celebrated his 50th birthday in 2002, receiving a giant birthday cake and an [[AARP]] card. Shades of gray were added to the hair and wrinkles were added to the figure's hands and face as Big Tex continued to "age.” <ref>APPLETON, ROY. "Big Tex, 50, and he's still a hunk - No loose-fitting jeans here, but there is that AARP membership." The Dallas Morning News August 17, 2002, SECOND, NEWS: 1A. NewsBank. Web. October 19, 2012.</ref> In 2012, the State Fair of Texas celebrated Big Tex's 60th birthday. In 2012, the State Fair of Texas celebrated Big Tex's 60th birthday.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newschannel6now.com/story/19621003/happy-birthday-big-tex-state-fair-icon-turns-60/|title=Happy Birthday, Big Tex: State Fair Icon Turns 60|date=September 24, 2012 |access-date=August 19, 2024}}</ref>

Al Jones, a disc jockey for WRR FM 101.1, was the first voice of Big Tex, and would fill the role until the fair ended in 1955.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/cso/archives/Exhibits/WRR/WRRdjs.htm|title=Famous WRR Disc Jockeys|author=|date= |publisher=dallascityhall.com |access-date=October 26, 2012}}</ref> Radio announcer Jim Lowe, the most well-known voice of Big Tex, began performing his voice in 1956.<ref name="LoweObit"/> He continued to provide his voice up until 1982 when he departed from the role for unknown reasons, in which Bob Sonnemaker stepped into the role for the next four years.<ref>KXAS-TV (Television station : Fort Worth, Tex.). [News Clip: Big Tex], video, October 14, 1984; Fort Worth, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1308273/m1/?q=news%20clip%20big%20tex%201984: accessed April 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.</ref> Lowe would then resume voicing him again in 1987, he continued to provide his voice for eleven more years until his retirement after the 1998 State Fair, due to health issues.<ref name="LoweObit">{{cite web|url=http://kxol1360.com/jimlowe.htm|title=Jim Lowe, voice of Big Tex, dies at 73 Longtime DJ "howdied" generations of fairgoers.|author=Joe Simnacher|date=May 30, 2000|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/lowe-james-emmett-jr|title=Lowe, James Emmett, Jr. (1926–2000)|author=Spenser R. Rapone|date=June 5, 2000|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|access-date=July 8, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-jun-05-me-37598-story.html|title=Jim Lowe Jr.; Radio Announcer, Voice of Big Tex|author=L.A. Times Archives|date=June 5, 2000|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><ref name="dmagazine.com"/> After Lowe's retirement, Dan Alexander would step up for the next two years as Big Tex's voice, from 1999 to 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/texas/slideshow/TTK-Big-Tex-135195.php|title=Things to know about Big Tex, the tallest Texan at the State Fair of Texas|author=|date=September 21, 2018|publisher=Chron.com|access-date=May 5, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Dan Alexander Obituary|url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/azcentral/name/dan-alexander-obituary?id=22298860|access-date=2021-06-04|website=legacy.com|language=en}}</ref> In 2001 a statewide competition and contest, held live at the [[Cotton Bowl (stadium)|Cotton Bowl]], announced Sonny Ray Stolz as the next voice of Big Tex.<ref name="chron.com">{{cite web|url=https://m.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Dateline-Texas-2043842.php|title=Big Tex's new voice says, 'See ya later'|author=|date=November 18, 2001|publisher=Chron.com|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref> But after only one season, Sonny decided not to continue due to what he considered unprofessional treatment by Fair officials and the Fair brought in runner-up Bill Bragg in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yesterdayusa.com/bigtex/|title=Psst! There's a new voice for Big Tex|author=Flick, David|date=January 26, 2002|publisher=The Dallas Morning News|access-date=October 26, 2012}}</ref><ref name="chron.com"/><ref name="dmagazine.com"/> After the 2012 State Fair, Bragg was fired from the role after breaking the State Fair omertarules for revealing himself as the voice of Big Tex during a charity event, the Fair officially chose not to renew his contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2013/03/27/state-fair-of-texas-fires-bill-bragg-the-voice-of-big-tex-since-2002/?outputType=amp|title=State Fair of Texas fires Bill Bragg, the voice of Big Tex since 2002|author=Eric Aasen|date=March 27, 2013|publisher=The Dallas Morning News|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><ref name="dmagazine.com"/> In 2013, Bob Boykin began voicing Big Tex, he would continue to voice him for a total of six years up until the 2019 State Fair.<!-- NOT the musician with the Wikipedia article--><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/dfw/news/current-voice-big-tex-bob-boykin-dies/|title=Current Voice Of Big Tex, Bob Boykin, Dies At 73|website=dfw.cbslocal.com|date=February 10, 2020|access-date=February 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200210203903/https://dfw.cbslocal.com/2020/02/10/current-voice-big-tex-bob-boykin-dies/|archive-date=February 10, 2020}}</ref><ref name="dmagazine.com"/> As of 2021, Big Tex has received a new voice performer, but the performer's name remains anonymously unknown at this time.<ref name="dmagazine.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/2021/06/the-new-voice-of-big-tex-will-welcome-you-back-to-the-state-fair-of-texas/|title=The New Voice of Big Tex Will Welcome You Back to the State Fair of Texas|author=Alex Macon|date=June 2, 2021|publisher=dmagazine.com|access-date=May 21, 2023}}</ref>