50¢ – Guntersville, Ala. 35976 – Our 132th Year, No. 60 – Saturday, July 28, 2012

50th Anniversary Friendship Convention, he was one of three presenters at the official event celebrating the golden ann- iversary of the TV series. That one was held in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. The 2011 Roundup provided B.B. with the rare opportunity. “As an impressionist, you are always performing existing characters,” he said. “This al- lowed me to create an original character, something I never got That’s “Scrappy Higgins” and the impressionist who created him, Gunt- to do as a tribute artist.” ersville native, B.B. Hudspeth. Lots of people have vivid memories of watching classic B.B. trademarking High School, where he graduated in TV shows with their families 1987. when they were growing up, he his ‘Scrappy’ character said.

He describes “Scrappy Higgins” as If you ever had a notion of a likeable old-timer who has seen it “GATHERINGS like the performing onstage as "Scrappy all and done it all in the Old West, Roundup not only Higgins," you can forget about it. and who has crossed paths with keeps the memory alive of some B.B. Hudspeth got there first. various personalities from classic of the best shows entertainment B.B., who grew up in Gun- westerns. has brought us, but also tersville, created "Scrappy" last At the Bonanza Roundup last fall, acknowledges the cast and crew September for the 2011 Bonanza Scrappy told of his experiences with who made them possible,” he Roundup in Burbank, . It each Cartwright and other characters said. went over so well that he has decided from the “Bonanza” series, which “As time passes, we continue to trademark the character as his held a No. 1 viewer rating when it to lose these key people. In own. was on TV. 2010 alone, ‘Bonanza’ lost

A trademark gives you the ex- B.B. CREATED all of Scrappy’s , who played clusive legal right to a name or characteristics, including his app- Adam Cartwright the last of the image. earance, voice and presentation. original Cartwright family, and B.B. says he has been an im- He said he was inspired to , the show’s pressionist since he was 13. He trademark the character by the creator.” performs cartoon characters, positive feedback he received from He believes the future is bright politicians, movie stars, athletes, people at the Bonanza Roundup for westerns on TV, which “are singers and other characters for including David Blocker. He’s the receiving as much or more various events. son of , who played attention than other genres on Most of his favorites are cow- “Hoss” on the show. some networks. I believe this is boys. a true testament to the lasting “When I returned from Los “I GREW up watching TV shows Angeles,” B.B. said, “I immediately impact these shows have.” like ‘Bonanza’ and ‘’,” he scheduled a photo and video shoot He said Scrappy Higgins “will said. for the character because of the good continue efforts to bring good, He’s the son of Bishop Wendell reception.” clean entertainment to audiences and Jo Ann Hudspeth of Neely He’s planning to incorporate and keep westerns alive and Avenue in Guntersville. He and his Scrappy into other performing well.” wife Brooke and their newborn son opportunities. ______

Ren live in Nashville. B.B. played LAST FALL’S Bonanza Round-up THE ADVERTISER-GLEAM football and ran track at Guntersville wasn’t B.B.’s first. At the Bonanza Guntersville, Ala., July 28, 2012 and 50