An incredibly moving acappella version of the song Danny Boy by actor Harry Dean Stanton and a heartfelt walk down memory lane with Jack Hannah, of the Sons of the San Joaquin, remembering movie legend Jack Palance were only a few of the highlights of this years Walk of Western Stars Gala.
Don Edwards, a previous Walk of Stars award winner and legendary cowboy balladeer, hosted the gala at the Valencia Hyatt where hundreds of western fans from far and wide dined and were entertained by the sounds of this years honorees, the Sons of the San Joaquin and David Wilkie and Cowboy Celtic.
Referring to them as a national treasure, Robert Carradine, who started his acting career working alongside movie great John Wayne in The Cowboys, presented the Sons of the San Joaquin with their award. The Friday evening tribute included the honoring of legendary stuntman and Santa Clarita resident Phil Rawlins, who doubled for Clint Eastwood in Rawhide.
The crowing moment of the evening came when Stanton was presented an award by his HBO television show Big Love co-star Bill Paxton. Stanton was speechless for a moment saying he didn’t know what to say, so he sang.
Jack Hannah rounded out the evening with a beautiful tribute to Palance referring several times to his widow Elaine Rogers seated in the audience and the couple’s incredible relationship as well as Hannah’s impressions of Palance as an all-around stand-up kind of guy.
A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Carousel Ranch therapeutic riding program.
Honorees from previous years have included Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, James Arness, Sam Elliott, Linda Gray and George Montgomery.