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I was not a fan of Westerns when I was young.  In fact, I wasn't a fan of Westerns until the last ten years or so.  I think what helped to pave the way for me was re-runs of THE LONE RANGER ( when I was in my mid-20's ) and, a little later, tv episodes and movies of HOPALONG CASSIDY.  The Lone Ranger I regarded more as a 'Superhero' type ( and I could relate to Superheroes ).  And Hoppy was more than just a 'cowboy' - he had real personality and charm. 

There were a few notable exceptions, however, when I was a kid.  THE RIFLEMAN was a western I would watch and enjoy.  Walt Disney's ZORRO, while not a western in its purest sense, was also a regular viewing experience.  And ROY ROGERS was a kid friendly tv series.

I enjoyed GUNSMOKE in its early B&W days ( with Chester ) but, when it initially went to color one-hour episodes I got bored with it.
BONANZA was another one that was fun - It had that iconic opening title sequence and the banter and bickering between Hoss and Little Joe!  I could sometimes get interested in DEATH VALLEY DAYS ( the title sounded more intriguing to me than the actual show ) and the opening theme to RAWHIDE was catchy. And oh, yeah... BAT MASTERSON.

When I was in my mid 20's I became very much a connoisseur of OLD TIME RADIO programs.  The GUNSMOKE radio series kind of softened me toward the characters on that show and helped me to become re-interested in the tv series again.  But I didn't actually embrace 'Westerns' as a whole until I was in my early-to-mid 40's.  

I never used to enjoy watching a John Wayne movie when I was a kid - but that has all changed now.

- GJS

Somehow I always think of Ken Curtis whenever I see that episode of Seinfeld where George Costanza's dad, Frank, celebrates his own winter Holiday with the unusual traditions.

- GJS