Betty Fowler (1925–2017)

Betty Fowler was a popular Arkansas entertainer who was a television personality, a musician, and a mentor to young people on a children’s television show that was broadcast in Little Rock (Pulaski County). As a singer, she led a professional quartet called the Betty Fowler Four, served as music director for the Miss Arkansas Pageant from 1960 to 1984, was a voice and acting coach, and worked as musical director for productions by Little Rock’s Community Theater. In addition, she was music director for two iconic Arkansas-based theatrical stage shows, the Farkleberry Follies, presented by the Arkansas Press Association, and the Gridiron, produced by the Arkansas Bar Association.

Betty Lynne Hunter was born in Wynne (Cross County) on September 17, 1925, to Harry Willis Hunter and Elizabeth Sands Hunter. She had a sister, Mary Elizabeth, and two brothers, Wilson and David. She began taking piano lessons at age nine, developing a lifelong love for music, and she won a talent contest at age eighteen.

In 1944, she graduated from Little Rock Junior College (which later became the University of Arkansas at Little Rock). She married William H. (Bill) Fowler Jr., and the couple had a son, Bill Fowler III. They resided in Little Rock, where Betty Fowler became well known as a popular musician and television entertainer.

Fowler began her career in radio in various capacities before moving to the new technology of television in the early 1950s as a personality on what became KATV Channel 7 in Little Rock. There, she became well known for her children’s TV show, Betty’s Little Rascals, which went on the air in May 1955. One of the children whom she mentored on the after-school show was actor Daniel Davis, who went on to enjoy a successful career, appearing on such television programs as The Nanny and Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Fowler co-hosted the Little Rock Today Show on KARK Channel 4 with Bud Campbell, where she played piano and presented live commercials. She also interviewed celebrities who came to Little Rock, including Red Buttons, Sammy Davis Jr., Robert Goulet, Bob Hope, and Liberace.

In addition, she regularly entertained for civic groups and women’s clubs. She gave vocal coaching lessons, taught piano, and had a recording studio in her home, where she made accompaniment tapes for many aspiring performers.

Housed in the archives of the University of Central Arkansas in Conway (Faulkner County) are dozens of boxes and files pertaining to Fowler’s career. The collection includes sheet music running from “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” (1911) to “We’ve Only Just Begun” (1970). There are cartoons, drawings, and photos of Fowler, along with a scrapbook covering the Miss Arkansas Pageant from 1966 to 1974 and 1976 to 1985 that includes newspaper clippings and programs covering the event. There are items of memorabilia from Betty’s Little Rascals, including clubhouse mementos, photos, and membership cards starting in May 1955. There are several files on one of the young performers who was then called “Danny Davis,” later actor Daniel Davis.

Among the recordings at the UCA archives are those by her vocal group, the Betty Fowler Four, including “New York, New York” and “Night and Day,” as well as solos by Fowler singing “I’ve Got a Crush on You” and “Just One of Those Things.” There are also books, cassette tapes, performance videotapes and CDs, a record album by the Betty Fowler Four, and the Betty Fowler logo that appeared on bandstands. Also included are plaques awarded to Fowler by the Baptist Medical Center and the UALR Society of Philanthropy.

Fowler died on April 15, 2017, at Good Shepherd Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Little Rock.

For additional information:
Betty Fowler Collection (M04-07). University of Central Arkansas Archives. Torreyson Library. University of Central Arkansas, Conway, Arkansas. Finding aid online at https://uca.edu/archives/m04-07-betty-fowler-collection/ (accessed October 10, 2025).

“Former KARK Host and Longtime Arkansas Musician and Entertainer Betty Fowler Died Saturday.” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, April 18, 2017. https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2017/apr/18/former-kark-host-arkansas-entertainer-dies-91/?print (accessed October 10, 2025).

Obituary of Betty Fowler. Arkansas Democrat Gazette, April 18, 2017. https://www.arkansasonline.com/obituaries/2017/apr/18/betty-fowler-2017-04-18/ (accessed October 10, 2025).

“Remembering Betty Fowler.” Little Rock Culture Vulture, April 17, 2017. https://lrculturevulture.com/2017/04/17/remembering-betty-fowler/ (accessed October 10, 2025).

Williams, Helaine. “‘Big Rascal’ Betty Fowler Celebrates 89th with Friends.” Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, September 14, 2014. https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2014/sep/14/big-rascal-betty-fowler-celebrates-89th/   (accessed October 10, 2025).

Nancy Hendricks
Garland County Historical Society