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Tim Spencer was one of
the founders of the sensational western group called “The Sons
of the Pioneers,” a singing group formed in the throes of the
Great Depression era of the early thirties.
Tim was born Vernon
Spencer, July 13, 1908, in Webb City, Missouri. He moved to
California and finally, during hard times, got a job with
Safeway, a grocery company. At this time, Tim came in contact
with Leonard Slye (later, Roy Rogers) and Slumber Nichols. The
men formed a trio, but were unsuccessful in their efforts.
Eventually, the group broke up with Slye and Spencer trying to
make it with other western bands.
In 1933, Tim was
approached once again by Leonard. They added Bob Nolan and
formed “The Pioneer Trio,” making their debut on radio station
KFWB in Los Angeles. Spencer and Nolan wrote a lot of the
songs sung by the trio. A fourth member was added in 1934,
fiddle player Hugh Farr, who also doubled on bass.
According to the Roy
Rogers and Dale Evans’ website, Happy Trails, the name, “Sons
of the Pioneers” was born accidentally. “On
one broadcast the station’s announcer introduced them as
The Sons of the Pioneers. Asked why he’d done this, the
announcer gave the excuse that they were too young to have
been pioneers, but that they could be sons of pioneers. The
name seemed to stick, it fit well, and as they were no longer
a trio, it made sense.”
Tim left the group in
1936, but returned in 1938 (I was privileged to see the
“Pioneers” in 1940 when they appeared at the Rialto Theatre in
Flint, Michigan). 1946 to 1948 were considered to be the
“Golden Years” of the Sons of the Pioneers, with the group
making several movies with Roy Rogers and enjoying big record
sales on RCA Victor. Their hits on the Country singles chart
included “Stars and Stripes on Iwo Jima” (1945), “No One to
Cry To” (1946), “Baby Doll,” “Cool Water,” and “Tear Drops In
My Heart” (all top five in 1947), “Tumbling Tumbleweeds” and
“Cool Water” (both 1948), “My Best To You” and “Room Full Of
Roses” (both 1949).
Tim Spencer wrote
several western songs that have been recorded by many cowboy
singers and groups. His most beautiful and enduring song was
“Room Full Of Roses.”
Tim developed on-going
problems with his voice and left the Pioneers in 1949. He was
replaced by Ken Curtis, who years later created the character
“Festus” for Gunsmoke. Tim continued to write songs for
the group, but turned down several invitations to sing with
the Pioneers because of his throat condition.
In 1971, Tim Spencer,
along with his friend, Bob Nolan, was inducted into the
Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame. Five years later the “Sons
of the Pioneers” were elected to the Country Music Hall of
Fame.
On April 26, 1974, Tim
Spencer died of a stroke. Within four years, three more
members of the “Sons of the Pioneers” passed away: Lloyd
Perryman, May 31, 1977; Hugh Farr, April 17, 1980; and Bob
Nolan, June 16, 1980.
In my opinion, there was
something unique and magic about the sound produced by the
voices of Tim Spencer and Bob Nolan. We haven’t heard it since
the group’s last recording.
Dusty Owens
TCM Radio News
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