Lonely Street Productions presents America’s premiere western singing group Sons of the Pioneers on Thursday, May 7 at 7:00 p.m. in the Madera Clubhouse Crystal Ballroom. Tickets are $27.50 each and a cash bar opens at 6:00 p.m.
For over 75 continuous years the Sons of the Pioneers have been “the premiere western singing group of all time,” (as described by the Western Music Hall of Fame.) Elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame, Cowboy Hall of Fame, Western Music Hall of Fame, Texas Swing Hall of Fame and designated a National Treasure by the Smithsonian Institution, the Pioneers have become as legendary as the American west they represent. Their signature songs Cool Water and Tumbling Tumbleweeds were placed in the Grammy Hall of Fame. Other songs, such as Ghost Riders in the Sky, have become part of the very fabric of the American west.
No other group in American history can boast:
Longest continuous performing group of all time
Over 3,000 compositions to their credit
Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Designated as National Treasure by the Smithsonian Institute
Founded by Roy Rogers and the gifted songwriters Bob Nolan and Tim Spencer, the group garnered national and international recognition through appearances in more than 90 films, radio shows, recording and television appearances. As each prior member retired there has always been a carefully selected replacement enabling the group to keep its identity continuous and unbroken. The sound today is still the sound which inspired the foundation of numerous other western singing groups that followed.
Trail boss of the six man group is forty year member Luther Nallie (baritone), a consummate musician who can sing any part, add a guitar riff, play bass or provide a Dixieland clarinet. Randy Rudd furnishes the clean lead vocals and rhythm guitar. As the 1983 World Champion fiddle player, Ricky Boen lends his version of Texas swing. Tenor Ken Lattimore also provides a second fiddle and mandolin. Mark Abbott sings bass as well as handling the upright bass. Tommy Nallie, who first joined the group in the 1980s, is now back with the group playing lead guitar and contributing yodeling parts. The group stays close to the legacy left by former members Roy Rogers, Tim Spencer and Bob Nolan.
The Sons of the Pioneers sell out across the country so be sure to get tickets early!