"Bob Nolan probably started the "Sons". He was an excellent songwriter, his tune "Way Out There" is a yodeling classic."

Sure, Bob sorta kinda started the Sons of the Pioneers. Len Slye (Roy Rogers) was the founder really and truly because he's the one that had hired Bob for a different band a few years earlier. Bob, Len and Tim Spencer (whom they'd dragged out of a secure job at Safeway) formed "The Pioneer Trio", soon adding Hugh Farr as a fiddler, then Hugh's younger brother Karl, an excellent guitarist. In 1937 Roy left the Pioneers to become "Roy Rogers". He suggested Bob O'Brady for his replacement--so the Pioneers brought O'Brady in as Len (Roy)'s replacement. But since Bob (or "Pat" as he began calling himself) was accustomed to singing comedy, his voice did not fit in with the Pioneer's harmony, so they brought in Lloyd Perryman as their tenor. That lineup of Bob, Tim, Lloyd, Pat, Karl and Hugh became the classic Sons of the Pioneers. They worked together until 1943 when Lloyd had to go fight in WWII. They then brought in Hugh Flatt (Ken Carson), a popular singer located in Chicago. Ken was with them until 1947, when Lloyd returned.

*laughs* I didn't really mean to give a history of the Pioneers, but when I get on that subject, I can't stop! They sure were swell. I'm doing a research project on Ken Carson right now-- pity he wasn't more recognized, because he was very, very talented. He was on the Garry Moore Show from 1950-1957 or so--some people remember him from that.

Long live the Silver Screen cowboy! Rex Allen, Tex Ritter, Charles Starrett, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Hopalong Cassidy, Lash LaRue, Hoot Gibson......all them chaps. A lot more people than we think still remember them. :) Even the young'uns!