Little Kenneth Townsend is paid a nickel by Hollywood Walk of Fame Actor, Composer, Singer Smiley Burnette for posing for a picture. Kenneth and the other youngsters in the picture were named winners in the western costume contest in downtown. Others are, left, Don Townsend, Coralee McClurg, Kirby Hatcher and Gary Sparks. He is on the Nodaway Stair of Stars
Smiley Burnette moved to Ravenwood, Missouri, in November 1921 when his father Reverend George Burnett was appointed the pastor of Ravenwood Christian Church. While Burnette only lived in Nodaway County until 1923. Smiley later added an “e” to the end of his name.
Burnette’s visit was part of a “$elebirity Dollars Auction by the Chamber of Commerce in which performed twice on the Square, was in a parade, posed with classmates and politicians as well as children. It was Burnett’s only reported visit to Nodaway County.
Burnette’s influence in Hollywood was enormous where he usally played a sidekick — a role he first started at Gene Autry’s sidekick and was famous playing multiple instruments at the same time and a had signature “frog” voice. He wrote over 300 to 400 Western and novelty tunes, many featured in his popular singing cowboy films and received five “Golden Records” He was in around 171 films between 1929 and 1955 including 81 with Gene Autry where he played “Frog” Millhouse and 64 with Charles Starrett the Durango Kid series. He was a regular on both the Petticoat Junction and Green Acres TV series as Charles Pratt, the lovable engineer of the Hooterville Cannonball
Nodaway Stairway of Stars Profile
Hollywood Walk of Fame profile (he was inducted in 1986 after his death)
Burnette appeared on both Petticoat Junction and Green Acres as Charlie Pratt the lovable engineer of the Hooterville Cannonball Smiley Burnette’s last appearance (on Petticoat Junction was Season 4 Episode 39) Original airdate: April 25, 1967 (he had died February 16, 1967).
Burnette’s most famous song “Riding Down the Canyon” which is also credit to Gene Autry. Here’s Gene Autry’s verion.
Smiley Burnette – Five Man Band (from The Old Corral 1936)
The Maryville Daily Forum 1957 Aug 24 Page 2
Smiley Burnette Meets Old Friends When Smiley Burnette, popular TV and movies western star, came to Maryville this week, it was like “old home week” for him and many people in the Ravenwood area who attended school with him. At the right, Associate County Court Judge Roy Moore, who attended school with Burnette, tries on the star’s hat for size as Burnette clowns a little in one of his familiar comedy poses. In the lower right picture, Moore, left, Burnette and Harold “Buck” Farr pose after talking over some of their boyhood activities. Burnette lived in Ravenwood some 36 years ago when his parents were ministers at the Christian Church there. Burnette was here under the sponsorship of the retail committee of the Chamber of Commerce during the “Sellebrity Day” auction and entertainment. In the bottom photo, little Kenneth Townsend is paid a nickel by Smiley for posing for a picture. Kenneth and the other youngsters in the picture were named winners in the western costume contest. Others are, left, Don Townsend, Coralee McClurg, Kirby Hatcher and Gary Sparks. – (Bud Alexander Photos)
