The Sons of the Pioneers numbered three in the beginning --- Bob Nolan, Tim Spencer, and Len Sly, the group's organizer and lead singer.  After Hugh and Karl Farr joined the group, Warners, Columbia, and Republic Studios expressed interest in the boys and put them in some westerns.  Later, Len Sly would leave the group to replace an unhappy Gene Autry.

It took three to replace Len Sly --- Lloyd Perryman, Ken Carson, and Pat Brady (who had been on General George S. Patton's staff during the war).  But before long, Len ---renamed Roy Rogers by Republic's boss man Herb Yates ---had the boys as his sidekicks in pictures, recordings, and personal appearances.

One appearance I'll never forget was at a jumping little club in L.A where pianist Freddy "Beat-Me-Daddy" Slack tore up the stage playing boogie woogie.  Fat boogie woogie.  The drummer was a guy they called Eight Beat Mack, but the rhythms laid down by "the daddy of 'em all" put audiences into a trance.  He put the eight beats to them like a steam drill.

And when he jammed with a bass and guitar, they hollered, "Oh, beat me daddy eight to the bar!"

Freddy Slack was a tough act to follow.

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