First, Best & Most
Motor homes were invented in 1967, and Dodge had a product that looked great (but few things on it actually worked). Most of the other riders on the SGTR were outraged when, in ’68, the Wilson brothers broke with tradition and arrived in their new Dodge RV. The code was to “rough it,” which usually meant sleeping in the back of a pick-up and being very uncomfortable or too drunk to care. The Wilson group was razzed and taunted as “a bunch of candy-asses.” and other derogatory terms. Regardless, the following year there were about seven or eight motor homes…the next year 25…and now RVs are, by far, the preferred mode to “rough it.”
Matching denim jackets were the inspired idea of Beverly Bennett Smith. Pam Wilson Francis designed the now-famous “Desperados Wanted” logo to embroider on the back. In the first year or so, it was somewhat difficult to get people to wear their Desperado jackets. In time, the idea of matching shirts was introduced and there was even more resistance. But gradually, the new Desperados warmed to the idea and their coordinating jackets and shirts quickly became the group’s signature. Today, every major wagon is similarly adorned.
Beautiful women have become synonymous with the Desperados. In 1982, Beverly organized a group of her girlfriends to ride the SGTR with the Desperados. Each one was beautiful and, along with the attractive ladies who were already members of the group, they earned us the reputation. And it still remains to this day.
Camp movers are vital to the Desperado organization and they are highly-valued members. The Desperados are credited with being one of the first wagons to have them. Other wagons either use hired hands or require riders to move their own camp.
HLSR awards have recognized the Desperados more than any other–Best Appearing Wagon Group, Best Show Wagon in the parade and Best Wagon on the Salt Grass Trail Ride. For a time, we held the record for the oldest rider on the SGTR, at 79, Archie “PA”Bennett, Sr. Welcome Wilson celebrated his 50th ride in 2016.
Unprecedented media coverage has been a constant over the years. We’ve been on David Letterman and on every local news channel. KPRC had a correspondent ride the entire week with the Desperados one year. In the mid-1980’s, one channel had the actor Dabney Coleman flown out by helicopter to the ride with the Desperados and interview several members. In 2005, Desperados were the only wagon who were assigned a full-time photographer from the Houston Chronicle to document the Salt Grass experience (he returned the next year to become a member). In 2006, the Desperado wagon was covered by journalists from France.
Desperados are global: The group has hosted riders from far and wide, including Canada, Germany, France, Iraq and Singapore, and from states throughout U.S.