Skip to content

Sons of the Pioneers

16 movies on Netflix

Biography

The Sons of the Pioneers are an American Western singing group that began in 1933 as the Pioneer Trio, formed by Leonard Slye, who later became Roy Rogers, along with Bob Nolan and Tim Spencer. Renamed after a radio announcer's remark, the group signed with Decca in 1934 and recorded Nolan's Tumbling Tumbleweeds, which became a staple of its repertoire, while its popularity spread beyond Los Angeles through syndicated radio segments. Known for close vocal harmony and its own songwriting, the group supplied music for Charles Starrett's Columbia westerns from 1935, then rejoined Rogers at Republic Pictures as supporting players. It appeared in 87 films between 1935 and 1984, among them Rio Grande (1950), and had its own network radio shows, including 10-2-4 Ranch and The Lucky U Ranch. Honors include a 1977 Smithsonian National Treasure designation and induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1980.

Movie Career

Films: 16
Career span: 8 years1942 to 1950

Genres

Western100%, 16 films
Drama63%, 10 films
Music63%, 10 films
Romance6%, 1 film

First and latest

Share

Did you know?!

Behind the camera
Bob Nolan wrote "Tumbling Tumbleweeds", which the Sons of the Pioneers recorded at their first August session. The song's original title, "Tumbling Leaves", was altered so it would have a western character.
A role that slipped away
In 1948, Republic Pictures president Herbert Yates let the Sons of the Pioneers go from their movie contract, swapping in a cheaper group, Foy Willing's Riders of the Purple Sage.
A role that slipped away
RCA Victor insisted that Bob Nolan rejoin the Sons of the Pioneers in 1955, since the label prized the group's sound with him and would not record them without him. His involvement stayed limited to RCA records through 1958.
Behind the award
In 1977 the Smithsonian Institution named the Sons of the Pioneers "National Treasures", a designation for artists who contributed to American arts and culture.

Sons of the Pioneers movies on Netflix

Rio Grande1950IMDb rating 7.0as Regimental Musicians
Under California Stars1948IMDb rating 5.6as Ranch Hands…
Bells of San Angelo1947IMDb rating 5.6as Sons of the Pioneers
Springtime in the Sierras1947IMDb rating 6.1as Musicians, Ranch Hands
Home in Oklahoma1946IMDb rating 6.1as Musicians…
My Pal Trigger1946IMDb rating 6.4as Musicians(The Sons Of The Pioneers)…
Roll on Texas Moon1946IMDb rating 5.9as Musicians, Ranch Hands
Under Nevada Skies1946IMDb rating 6.1as Musical group
Utah1945IMDb rating 5.6as Cowhands…
Cowboy and the Senorita1944IMDb rating 5.8as Musicians…
Hands Across the Border1944IMDb rating 6.0as Musicians
Lights of Old Santa Fe1944IMDb rating 6.0as Musicians
Song of Nevada1944IMDb rating 6.0as Musicians
The Yellow Rose of Texas1944IMDb rating 5.5as Musicians(Bob Nolan and The Sons of the Pioneers)
Man from Music Mountain1943IMDb rating 6.4as Musicians
Sunset Serenade1942IMDb rating 6.2as Ranch Hands…

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

Rio Grande1950 Romance, Westernas Regimental Musicians
IMDb rating 7.020K votes
Bells of San Angelo1947 Drama, Music, Westernas Sons of the Pioneers
IMDb rating 5.6441 votes
My Pal Trigger1946as Musicians(The Sons Of The Pioneers)…
IMDb rating 6.4565 votes
Lights of Old Santa Fe1944as Musicians
IMDb rating 6.0271 votes
The Yellow Rose of Texas1944as Musicians(Bob Nolan and The Sons of the Pioneers)
IMDb rating 5.5262 votes
Home in Oklahoma1946as Musicians…
IMDb rating 6.1299 votes
Song of Nevada1944as Musicians
IMDb rating 6.0143 votes
Springtime in the Sierras1947as Musicians, Ranch Hands
IMDb rating 6.1253 votes

Most often with

Joseph Kane directed six of these films, William Witney five and Frank McDonald three. Two actors appear in fifteen of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

George 'Gabby' HayesJoseph KaneDirector, 6 films William WitneyDirector, 5 films Frank McDonaldDirector, 3 films

Films together

Roy Rogers15 films together, 1942 to 1948
Roy Rogers's page
- Under California Stars1948IMDb rating 5.6Pioneers as Ranch Hands…Rogers as Roy Rogers
- Bells of San Angelo1947IMDb rating 5.6Pioneers as Sons of the PioneersRogers as Roy Rogers
- Springtime in the Sierras1947IMDb rating 6.1Pioneers as Musicians, Ranch HandsRogers as Roy Rogers
- Home in Oklahoma1946IMDb rating 6.1Pioneers as Musicians…Rogers as Roy Rogers
- My Pal Trigger1946IMDb rating 6.4Pioneers as Musicians(The Sons Of The Pioneers)…Rogers as Roy Rogers
- Roll on Texas Moon1946IMDb rating 5.9Pioneers as Musicians, Ranch HandsRogers as Roy Rogers
- Under Nevada Skies1946IMDb rating 6.1Pioneers as Musical groupRogers as Roy Rogers
- Utah1945IMDb rating 5.6Pioneers as Cowhands…Rogers as Roy Rogers
- Cowboy and the Senorita1944IMDb rating 5.8Pioneers as Musicians…Rogers as Roy Rogers
- Hands Across the Border1944IMDb rating 6.0Pioneers as MusiciansRogers as Roy Rogers
- Lights of Old Santa Fe1944IMDb rating 6.0Pioneers as MusiciansRogers as Roy Rogers
- Song of Nevada1944IMDb rating 6.0Pioneers as MusiciansRogers as Roy Rogers
- The Yellow Rose of Texas1944IMDb rating 5.5Pioneers as Musicians(Bob Nolan and The Sons of the Pioneers)Rogers as Roy Rogers
- Man from Music Mountain1943IMDb rating 6.4Pioneers as MusiciansRogers as Roy Rogers
- Sunset Serenade1942IMDb rating 6.2Pioneers as Ranch Hands…Rogers as Roy Rogers
Bob Nolan15 films together, 1942 to 1948
Bob Nolan's page
- Under California Stars1948IMDb rating 5.6Pioneers as Ranch Hands…Nolan as Bob
- Bells of San Angelo1947IMDb rating 5.6Pioneers as Sons of the PioneersNolan as Bob
- Springtime in the Sierras1947IMDb rating 6.1Pioneers as Musicians, Ranch HandsNolan as Bob Nolan
- Home in Oklahoma1946IMDb rating 6.1Pioneers as Musicians…Nolan as Bob - Leader Sons of the Pioneers
- My Pal Trigger1946IMDb rating 6.4Pioneers as Musicians(The Sons Of The Pioneers)…Nolan as Bob Nolan
- Roll on Texas Moon1946IMDb rating 5.9Pioneers as Musicians, Ranch HandsNolan as Bob
- Under Nevada Skies1946IMDb rating 6.1Pioneers as Musical groupNolan as Bob
- Utah1945IMDb rating 5.6Pioneers as Cowhands…Nolan as Bob
- Cowboy and the Senorita1944IMDb rating 5.8Pioneers as Musicians…Nolan as Bob - Sons of the Pioneers
- Hands Across the Border1944IMDb rating 6.0Pioneers as MusiciansNolan as Bob Nolan
- Lights of Old Santa Fe1944IMDb rating 6.0Pioneers as MusiciansNolan as Bob - Leader Sons of the Pioneers
- Song of Nevada1944IMDb rating 6.0Pioneers as MusiciansNolan as Bob
- The Yellow Rose of Texas1944IMDb rating 5.5Pioneers as Musicians(Bob Nolan and The Sons of the Pioneers)Nolan as Singer(Bob Nolan and The Sons of the Pioneers)
- Man from Music Mountain1943IMDb rating 6.4Pioneers as MusiciansNolan as Bob Nolan
- Sunset Serenade1942IMDb rating 6.2Pioneers as Ranch Hands…Nolan as Bob Nolan
Trigger14 films together, 1943 to 1948
Trigger's page
- Under California Stars1948IMDb rating 5.6Pioneers as Ranch Hands…Trigger as Trigger
- Bells of San Angelo1947IMDb rating 5.6Pioneers as Sons of the PioneersTrigger as Trigger
- Springtime in the Sierras1947IMDb rating 6.1Pioneers as Musicians, Ranch HandsTrigger as Trigger - Roy's Horse
- Home in Oklahoma1946IMDb rating 6.1Pioneers as Musicians…Trigger as Trigger
- My Pal Trigger1946IMDb rating 6.4Pioneers as Musicians(The Sons Of The Pioneers)…Trigger as Trigger(Trigger The Smartest Horse in the Movies)
- Roll on Texas Moon1946IMDb rating 5.9Pioneers as Musicians, Ranch HandsTrigger as Trigger, Roy's Horse(The Smartest Horse in the Movies)
- Under Nevada Skies1946IMDb rating 6.1Pioneers as Musical groupTrigger as Roy's Horse(Trigger The Smartest Horse in the Movies)
- Utah1945IMDb rating 5.6Pioneers as Cowhands…Trigger as Trigger
- Cowboy and the Senorita1944IMDb rating 5.8Pioneers as Musicians…Trigger as Trigger
- Hands Across the Border1944IMDb rating 6.0Pioneers as MusiciansTrigger as Trigger
- Lights of Old Santa Fe1944IMDb rating 6.0Pioneers as MusiciansTrigger as Trigger
- Song of Nevada1944IMDb rating 6.0Pioneers as MusiciansTrigger as Trigger, Roy's Horse
- The Yellow Rose of Texas1944IMDb rating 5.5Pioneers as Musicians(Bob Nolan and The Sons of the Pioneers)Trigger as Trigger(Trigger Smartest Horse in the Movies)
- Man from Music Mountain1943IMDb rating 6.4Pioneers as MusiciansTrigger as Trigger - Roy's Horse
Dale Evans10 films together, 1944 to 1947
Dale Evans's page
- Bells of San Angelo1947IMDb rating 5.6Pioneers as Sons of the PioneersEvans as Lee Madison
- Home in Oklahoma1946IMDb rating 6.1Pioneers as Musicians…Evans as Connie Edwards
- My Pal Trigger1946IMDb rating 6.4Pioneers as Musicians(The Sons Of The Pioneers)…Evans as Susan Kendrick
- Roll on Texas Moon1946IMDb rating 5.9Pioneers as Musicians, Ranch HandsEvans as Jill Delaney
- Under Nevada Skies1946IMDb rating 6.1Pioneers as Musical groupEvans as Helen Williams
- Utah1945IMDb rating 5.6Pioneers as Cowhands…Evans as Dorothy Bryant
- Cowboy and the Senorita1944IMDb rating 5.8Pioneers as Musicians…Evans as Ysobel Martinez
- Lights of Old Santa Fe1944IMDb rating 6.0Pioneers as MusiciansEvans as Marjorie Brooks
- Song of Nevada1944IMDb rating 6.0Pioneers as MusiciansEvans as Jennie Barrabee
- The Yellow Rose of Texas1944IMDb rating 5.5Pioneers as Musicians(Bob Nolan and The Sons of the Pioneers)Evans as Betty Weston
Pat Brady8 films together, 1942 to 1948
Pat Brady's page
- Under California Stars1948IMDb rating 5.6Pioneers as Ranch Hands…Brady as Pat - Bass Player, Sons of the Pioneers
- Bells of San Angelo1947IMDb rating 5.6Pioneers as Sons of the PioneersBrady as Bass Player Pat - Sons of the Pioneers
- Springtime in the Sierras1947IMDb rating 6.1Pioneers as Musicians, Ranch HandsBrady as Pat - Bass Player - Sons of the Pioneers
- Home in Oklahoma1946IMDb rating 6.1Pioneers as Musicians…Brady as Bass Player - Sons of the Pioneers
- Roll on Texas Moon1946IMDb rating 5.9Pioneers as Musicians, Ranch HandsBrady as Pat - Member, Sons of the Pioneers
- Under Nevada Skies1946IMDb rating 6.1Pioneers as Musical groupBrady as Singer(Sons of the Pioneers)
- Man from Music Mountain1943IMDb rating 6.4Pioneers as MusiciansBrady as Pat Brady- Sons of the Pioneers
- Sunset Serenade1942IMDb rating 6.2Pioneers as Ranch Hands…Brady as Pat Brady - Member, Sons of the Pioneers
George 'Gabby' Hayes7 films together, 1942 to 1946
George 'Gabby' Hayes's page
- Home in Oklahoma1946IMDb rating 6.1Pioneers as Musicians…Hayes as Gabby Whittaker
- My Pal Trigger1946IMDb rating 6.4Pioneers as Musicians(The Sons Of The Pioneers)…Hayes as Gabby Kendrick
- Roll on Texas Moon1946IMDb rating 5.9Pioneers as Musicians, Ranch HandsHayes as Gabby Whittaker
- Under Nevada Skies1946IMDb rating 6.1Pioneers as Musical groupHayes as Gabby Whittaker
- Utah1945IMDb rating 5.6Pioneers as Cowhands…Hayes as Gabby Wittaker
- Lights of Old Santa Fe1944IMDb rating 6.0Pioneers as MusiciansHayes as Gabby Whittaker
- Sunset Serenade1942IMDb rating 6.2Pioneers as Ranch Hands…Hayes as Gabby
Joseph KaneDirector, 6 films, 1942 to 1944
All films by Joseph Kane
- Cowboy and the Senorita1944IMDb rating 5.8Pioneers as Musicians…
- Hands Across the Border1944IMDb rating 6.0Pioneers as Musicians
- Song of Nevada1944IMDb rating 6.0Pioneers as Musicians
- The Yellow Rose of Texas1944IMDb rating 5.5Pioneers as Musicians(Bob Nolan and The Sons of the Pioneers)
- Man from Music Mountain1943IMDb rating 6.4Pioneers as Musicians
- Sunset Serenade1942IMDb rating 6.2Pioneers as Ranch Hands…
William WitneyDirector, 5 films, 1946 to 1948
All films by William Witney
- Under California Stars1948IMDb rating 5.6Pioneers as Ranch Hands…
- Bells of San Angelo1947IMDb rating 5.6Pioneers as Sons of the Pioneers
- Springtime in the Sierras1947IMDb rating 6.1Pioneers as Musicians, Ranch Hands
- Home in Oklahoma1946IMDb rating 6.1Pioneers as Musicians…
- Roll on Texas Moon1946IMDb rating 5.9Pioneers as Musicians, Ranch Hands
Frank McDonaldDirector, 3 films, 1944 to 1946
All films by Frank McDonald
- My Pal Trigger1946IMDb rating 6.4Pioneers as Musicians(The Sons Of The Pioneers)…
- Under Nevada Skies1946IMDb rating 6.1Pioneers as Musical group
- Lights of Old Santa Fe1944IMDb rating 6.0Pioneers as Musicians

Awards

One award and honor.

Sons of the Pioneers's awards and nominations, grouped by award
Year	Award	Film	Result
Other honors
	Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame		Honored

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.