Big Tex: Difference between revisions

Al Jones, a disc jockey for WRR FM 101.1, was the first voice of Big Tex, but would fill the role for only one season.<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 1953, he continued to provide his voice for forty-eight 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|publisher=Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref><ref name="dmagazine.com"/> After Lowe's departure, Dan Alexander would step up for the next two years as Bix 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 omerta 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 histhe death2019 inState 2020Fair.<!-- 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>