He's been a Tennessee fan for decades, and now the University is recognizing perhaps the best-known outdoorsman in the state's history with an honorary degree. The University of Tennessee Herbert College of Agriculture recognized Bassmaster Bill Dance at its recent graduation. Mr. Dance expresses his appreciation right here next on AgCast.
Hello, I'm Charles Denny. This is AgCast, brought to you by the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. Big old boy there. The gentleman who always wears his power tee ball cap and in his element, pulling bass from the lake.
He advances to Tennessee fisherman, what Peyton Manning is to big orange football fans. Beloved, iconic, and the best of all time. Welcome to Bill Dance Outdoors, America's most popular and longest running TV fishing show. For decades, he's taken us fishing, sharing tips and secrets to land a large mouth on his popular show, Bill Dance Outdoors.
But in the early days, a fella by the name of Cotton tried to talk him into doing TV. Bill said his friend was out of his cotton pick in mind. And Cotton was responsible for introducing so many bass livers to fishermen all across this country and very popular lures. But in the conversation, he said, we need a television show.
And I said, I've got the perfect guy for it. And he said, well, who's that? And I said, Jerry McInnes. And we lost Jerry last year.
He was just a great, great individual. But he said, well, Jerry's a good pick. But I've got a better pick. And I said, well, who's that?
And he said, you. And I said, Cotton, have you lost your mind? I said, me doing a TV show, I was like pulling perfume on a pig. I said, I can't even spell television.
He said, well, I want you to learn. And I said, well, I've learned a lot working with Jerry. But he said, we're going to get you a camera, like Jerry's. But he did do TV, starting on a Memphis station in 1968 and still going today.
Bill says it comes down to one thing. Viewers want to learn how to catch fish. But I kept looking at the clientele and in natural and various areas and celebrities. But the one thing that I felt people really wanted was the educational aspect.
The how-to's. How do you tie hook on them? How do you fish a particular topwater bike? When do you fish that topwater bike?
How do you fish moving water? How do you fish a river? How do you fish a creek? How do you fish a pond?
When do you fish? Those type places. How do you fish muddy water? How do you fish summer fall and winter spring?
Bill is still answering those questions today. He's done more than 900 episodes and no plans of slowing down. But he will have a new title going forward. Now it's Dr.
Bill Dance. Here's UTK Chancellor Dondie Plowman with the call. Mr. Dance, it is our great honor to confer upon you an honorary doctorate of natural resources.
The long time UT fan and supporter received an honorary doctorate from the Herbert College of Agriculture which includes the Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Department. Due to COVID, it was UT's first ever graduation in Neelon Stadium. Dance was emotional about the recognition. You would have to be inside me to feel the feeling that I feel.
I'll probably tell this later. I just don't fish it with my finger. You feel it? No, you don't feel it.
Because you don't feel what I feel. You have to, I can't express to you how I feel. The feeling to accept something of this magnitude is a warm, wonderful feeling. And it's for the University of Tennessee to say, hey, we want to present you this magnificent award.
It's a feeling that it's hard to describe. Bill was joined for the ceremony by family and a number of prominent people in the outdoors industry. Johnny Morris is the founder of Bass Pro Shops and has been friends with Dance for Decades Now. I can't think of a better ambassador or supporter for the State of Tennessee than Bill Dance.
Bill in his own way is good for kids and education to ground people and important things in life like family and friends and not getting too serious about yourself to stop and have a good time. And he just to me, Bill makes everybody happy. Bill Dance joined some good company in UT history. The University has awarded just 21 honorary doctorates.
Past recipients include Senator Howard Baker, Vice President Al Gore, Jim Herbert who's given generously to the UT Herbert College of Agriculture, actress Dale Dickey, and singer, actress, businesswoman, and philanthropist, and pretty much everyone's favorite Tennessean, Dolly Pardon. Now you can add the man with the power tee on his ball cap and rod in real close at hand. Degree in hand, Bill Dance will keep doing what he loves, sharing his knowledge and joy for the outdoors and forever grateful for this honor. Landing this award was one of the greatest catches of my life.
Thanks for listening. I'm Charles Denny.