Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Personable Huell Howser - From Celebrity (e.g. Tammy Wynette) to Everyman Interviews During Rich 30 Year Career



Howser in his favorite Desert home near Palm Springs, CA
Huell Howser was much more than his last and most well-known 'backroads' TV series, 'California's Gold.'  The modest Tennesseean started out by interviewing the local Country singers and celebrities in his home state. Then it was off to New York for the big time. And, then 3,000 miles west to the bright lights of Hollywood and California. But, perhaps those lights began to dim in Howser's own '
everymans' outlook and he wound up his career the last ten years talking to and showcasing the real people of California and some of their more  unique  and often historical efforts.


Even though he was a private man who didn't crave the attention for himself but for those he interviewed, Howser acquired a large following as much or more for his own humble and enthusiastic persona as the unusual 'backroads' stories he featured on his last and most known series, '
California's Gold.'  Whether it was learning about the reclusive life of a lighthouse watchman near
Crescent City, California or talking to the caretakers of Frank Sinatra's Palm Springs estate, there was always something to take away from both Howser, the man, and his unique programs. Howser's enthusiasm is infectious in these mostly half hour shows and one becomes wrapped up in even some of the more seeming mundane episodes which are still available.  Sadly, Howser passed unexpectedly, last December, but his shows live on.  Check some of them out for yourselves @ http://BayAreaBackroads.blogspot.com as well as some other of our own adventures


But first, let's go back to Howser's early career in Tenessee and his interview with Country music legend Tammy Wynette, talking about her career and men in her life.





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