The Sons of the Pioneers are coming to the TransCanada Theatre as a part of the famous western music band's 85th anniversary tour on June 18 with the show starting at 7:30 p.m.
At 72 years old, Dusty Rogers (Roy Rogers Jr.) -- the son of famed actor and singer Roy Rogers -- takes the stage to join the long-running group that his father was a founding member of as the lead vocalist.
Rogers says he has always seen it as his job to lengthen his father’s shadow rather than just simply stand in it.
“It’s always been my job. Ever since I was a young kid, my dad taught us all to treat people right and pretty much everything that I learned from him I learned by watching him,” Rogers said. “So very early on I had a huge respect for Dad and, and not only for his love for people and children but also his respect and patience.”
Rogers joined the group a year and a half ago despite being in retirement from performing with his own band The High Riders.
“I had retired. I didn’t really want to do any more shows,” he said. “I’ve been doing it with my own group for a lot of years and spent several years here in Branson, Missouri, doing shows but I just kind of wanted to retire.”
However, the Trail Boss of the group, Tommy Nallie, came to Rogers and asked if he’d be interested in joining as the lead singer. After checking with his wife, Rogers joined.
“For me it was a great honour and I’ve really enjoyed it. Now it’s been a year and a half so I feel comfortable with it now,” Rogers said.
Nallie has nothing but praise for Rogers and is glad to have him be a part of the long history of the group.
“He has a beautiful voice. That’s what he brings and of course having the name Roy Rogers a lot of people would like to talk to him.
“He’s a great asset, a great, great vocalist and he just considers himself one of the guys and he’s welcome and we’re glad to have him,” said Nallie.
Rogers said he’s looking forward to bringing the group to places they’ve never performed before in Alberta such as Red Deer, Medicine Hat, High River and of course Olds.
“Those are folks that we haven’t met yet, so we’re really looking forward to meeting them, and because it’s our 85th year and this is going to be really special for us,” Rogers said.
Nallie says audiences can expect to hear that famous pioneer sound that they’ve been known for.
“They’re going to hear that old vocal harmony that they’ve been used to all these years. They’re going to hear good musicians and good music.
“It’s not like some groups, they’ll take an old song and change it up so much that you hardly recognize it.
“We’re going to sound the way we’re supposed to sound. We have good music, good harmony, good vocals and throwing in a little comedy and just having fun,” Nallie said.
As a part of the tour, the group is partnering with the Ronald McDonald Houses in Alberta by setting up a raffle for a guitar at every centre they play in and all the money from the raffles will go to the charity.
“We’re thrilled to be tied in with Ronald McDonald House and help them by doing whatever we can do like raise money for it and raise awareness of it too,” said Rogers. “There is that special location that you can get some help family-wise when you need it, they supply that and that’s why we’re involved with them.”
Tickets for the Olds show are currently available at ticketpro.ca or you can access them through sonsofthepioneers.org.
