Sons of the Pioneers perform during the normal Branson, Missouri season at historic Shepherd of the Hills homestead. A chuckwagon supper is served prior to each two hour show. It was an extraordinary meal of tender beef brisket, a roasted chicken quarter, a whole roasted ear of corn, dinner rolls, roasted potatoes and apple cobbler
For over 75 years the Sons of the Pioneers have been proud to perform the music of the American West celebrating the West, its awesome landscape, its people, its culture and the American Cowboy. Certainly, many of the songs they originally introduced and which have been their signature, such as Tumbling Tumbleweed, Cool Water and Ghost Riders in the Sky, have become forever entwined into the very fabric of the West. They embrace that heritage and strive to honor it. “Country western” artists may sing about pickup trucks or their girlfriends. Their songs are unabashed love songs to the West. That’s one of the things that makes them different.



As we went in they took our picture, the lighting is off and we look like we had been out in the sun.


Gary LeMaster (stripped shirt) has been with the band for 30 years. His tenor voice is used both on harmony and solos. His lead guitar provides the key intros and turnarounds for each song.

Ken Lattimore (in the yellow) a tenor provides the higher harmonies and delights the audiences with his fiddle solos and duets.


Luther Nallie has over 40 years in the group. He was tutored by the architect of the “Pioneer Sound”, Lloyd Perryman, learning the trademark voicing and famous harmonies that still today distinguish the Pioneers from all other groups. As “Trail Boss” he serves as curator of that sound guaranteeing fans they will hear “The Pioneers” at every performance. He plays guitar, base, clarinet, saxophone and keyboards.

Randy Rudd has the baritone voice and is the “lead” singer of the group. He plays the rhythm guitar.

Ricky Boen is one of the top Western style fiddle players and has won the titles of Texas State Fiddle Champion and World Fiddle Champion.
            
This is Mark Abbott anchors the lower registers with his bass voice and upright string bass.