Ask American Profile

JAG, Gene Watson, Chad Pregracke, Allan "Rocky" Lane

Can you please tell us why JAG on CBS was canceled?
—Don P., Wisconsin

After 10 seasons, JAG aired its final episode in April because of low ratings. "We’ve had an amazing run, particularly for a series that was once canceled," says Donald P. Bellisario, the show’s creator and executive producer. "Over the last 10 years we have had an opportunity to shine a spotlight on our armed forces and call attention to issues of significant importance to our country as well as the men and women who serve it." JAG is military speak for Judge Advocate General corps, the elite legal wing of officers trained as lawyers who investigate, prosecute and defend those accused of crimes in the military. The series featured actors David James Elliott and Catherine Bell.

What can you tell me about country singer Gene Watson?
—Dennis B., Missouri

Gene Watson, 61, still performs regularly despite his bout with cancer in 2000 and 2001. Because he didn’t have insurance, he had to work throughout his illness. "I couldn’t lay down. I had to be doing something, sick or not. I think it made me a stronger person," says Watson, who’s had 21 Top 10 hits. "We stay on the road. I’ve been out here for 30 years now. No need for me to be quitting now. You’ve got to love it to do it." Watson, who lives in Houston, has a new album called Gene Watson Then & Now, a compilation of songs from throughout his career. The native of Palestine, Texas (pop. 17,598), re-recorded some of his hits, including You Could Know as Much, Everybody Needs a Hero and Back in the Fire, and recorded several other songs that he loves. "This is going to be a chapter one. Hopefully there will be several to come."

I just saw the program on PBS about Chad Pregracke and his cleanup of our nation’s waterways. How can I contact him?
—Will E., Michigan

Chad Pregracke, 30, is the founder of a non-profit environmental organization called Living Lands & Waters, which has 10 paid staffers who work with thousands of volunteers to clean up polluted rivers. Born in East Moline, Ill. (pop. 20,333), he could see the Mississippi River from his house. He never set out to have an organization; it just evolved as he became more involved in cleaning up the river in the late 1990s. "Our main focus is the Mississippi," he says. "We work on the Ohio River quite a bit, the Missouri River and currently the Illinois River, and some of the smaller ones as well. We’re not your typical cleanup. We’re more like an industrial strength river cleanup." The organization has four barges, several of which serve as floating recycling centers. "One of the barges is our floating headquarters and living quarters for 10 months a year. It’s a 135-foot barge—a ranch style, one-story house with a basement where we store all our equipment," says Pregracke, who is single and only lives on land in East Moline about 40 days a year. Contact him through his website, www.livinglandsandwaters.org, or by mail at 17615 Route 84 North, East Moline, IL 61244.

Could you please tell me what year Allan "Rocky" Lane died? How old was he when he died and was he married?
—Carol M., Illinois

Allan "Rocky" Lane died in 1973 at age 64 of bone cancer. The handsome Western star had been married twice, but both unions, to Gladys Leslie and actress Sheila Ryan, ended in divorce. A native of Mishawaka, Ind. (pop. 46,557), Lane left Notre Dame University to pursue acting. His big break came when he was cast in the serial The Tiger Woman in 1944. His serial role as Sgt. Dave King, a Canadian mountie, became popular, and in the mid-1940s he joined the TV show Red Ryder. In the 1960s, Lane provided the voice of the popular talking horse, Mr. Ed.

Upload Your Own Stories, Photos and Videos

Every week, American Profile magazine brings you stories that celebrate the people and places that make America great. Now we want to hear your stories and see your photos, videos and even audio.

 Start Uploading Now!

 

Discuss this Article