My ole buddy asked me if I wanted to be in the movies? So I said,"sure,why not"?Oh, I had no idea where we were going, but with him, I never did ask?

This time my curiosity was disturbed as we had traveled south for an hour into the countryside to a white column mansion with more security than I hoped was needed?

As we strolled to a structure where a crowd had gathered, I asked what is the title of the movie and who was starring in it?

His reply,"Cockfighters". I said,"do what?" I asked who the actors might be after I got my speech back? "How'bout Greg Almond, Warren Oates and that sweet thing over there" he replied?

So, 'fore I knew it we were sitting inside an octagon-shaped barn, in a small stadium with fists full of hundred dollar bills,betting on the cockfight,you know,

Greg sitting next to me, like ole friends. Course it was against the law,and they had rigged the fight. Warren's cock was supposed to win, cause they had razor sharp spurs attached to him.

Guess what,that other rooster saw what was coming and 'fore the other one knew what hit him he was laid out!

When "The Cockfighters" came out in the town I lived, I waited 'til dark to slip in,kept my golf visor on and stayed till I saw Greg and his new actor friend,then I exited. Fortunately not too many folks saw that one.

It wasn't too many years before I was discovered, A Star Was Born. Living in the Northeast Georgia Mountains I had no idea how they found me? To play an ole friend of "Rifleman" Chuck Conners was quite an improvement.

I was asked one night sitting in a cafe by the producer if I would like to play a role in "Kelsey and Son"? "Sure,is it a speaking part I asked?" "Yes and I will see you dressed as a forest ranger on top of the Mountain with your lines memorized at 6 A.M".

The lines I had to say, I had never heard of the words in them.

"Latigo ties and buffalo chips",and I thought,what the hell is that? Well there I was,pup tent,camp fire,my men,goose bumps and I was wondering if I could even speak with the Rifleman on his horse riding over the mountain to see his ole friend.

"Hi Buck and Hi Boone" made the take,but when I got to the "ties and chips" I lost it.

After eight takes Chuck got off his horse,placed both hands on my shoulders,(being six feet two inches, I had to look up to him since he was just a few inches under seven)and he said,"SAY YOUR LINES".I said them,and again,and again 'til I was perfect.Got on his horse,back over the mountain,I made it through the chips,the ties, and waited for his reply? He never had a problem saying his lines...never?Well this time he did,started laughing all the way to me,'fore he knew it I said,"SAY YOUR LINES" with both hands on his shoulders looking up at him.

His reply, with laughter,"GO TO HELL". Only problem with Chuck was that since he knew that I enjoyed fishing,he kept telling me that he would pay for a great fishing trip,if I would leave my wife with him?Told him the fish weren't biting. The first time in the Cockfighters I earned fifty bucks, but when I became a star,they added another zero to my paycheck for ten minutes, I told them that I could spare another ten when they needed me.

I am still waiting, but you never know?

By Everett Beal
Copyright 2000

 I think if you ever get the chance to star in a movie, well simi-star, take it.It was an experience and if I am ever on screen again, I hope that it will be on the Today Show with an interview from either Matt or Katie
and my book Fatal Addiction.

Southern Winds ain't no slob for folks to share with me.Especially when a former Gergia Governor highly recommended it for educational purposes and mandatory reading.

Govrnor Vandiver just happened to be the governor who had his life threatened many times for integrating the University of Georgia with the first two black students. I had an interview with the governor and he let me know that he and Betty never put the book down 'til they had read from cover to cover.Read it twice.

Bless his heart, only a short while back the good fellow passed away. He did share with me something I couldn't tell.

Do I have time to tell this, you betcha.

MLK was incarcerated in prison in Fulton County(Atlanta) He talked to
former president John F Kennedy and his brother. They kept calling the governor as they wanted him to let MLK out. He let the president know that he would take care of integrating the UGA his way.He did not want the Federal troops to arrive like they did at the U.of Alabama.it's a wonder he did not get killed.There were many tries on my friend to do away with him.Oh yeah, he did have Dr.King realeased.

SO, since I am giving out of space, I will share the fact that this
move changed many blacks over to the Democratic party.

How 'bout dem Dawgs.......