Ken Curtis ended up living his last years here in Clovis, CA. We have a statue of him in the center of town honoring him. 🙏
@TheSharron3 жыл бұрын
I just had to look it up...they did a real good job of capturing his spirit.
@rickhinojosa54553 жыл бұрын
@@TheSharron Hi. I didn't know he lived her till after he died. Maybe it wouldn't have made a difference as it's easy to say I'd do something when I cannot NOW, but I'd sure like to have thanked him for his high standards work on gunsmoke. I never would have dreamed he could sing so beautifully. He also sang a song on a show called "have gun will travel". It was awesome. He played, as usual, a very uncouth sort of fellow and then he got all purtied (that's purr-teed) up and sang a song for a lady and just astounded me. That was actually the first time I heard him sing. So then I looked him up "ken Curtis sings" and found he was famous for singing with the sons of the pioneers many years ago. Incredible! Here is a link to him singing on have gun will travel: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qV6oq3tti96BmM0 I hope you like it!☺️🙏
@TheSharron3 жыл бұрын
@@rickhinojosa5455 I saw that episode,about a year ago and he is perfection.Thanks for posting it again...I had forgotten about it. Edited to say...he was a purty man,when gussied up!🥰
@marylarrimore39503 жыл бұрын
That is so awesome! Thank you for sharing!
@rickhinojosa54553 жыл бұрын
@@marylarrimore3950 You're welcome!!!😃🙏
@cathybarthel84113 жыл бұрын
Ken Curtis has always been my favorite actor on Gunsmoke and what a beautiful voice he has! Very nice looking too.
@sarajanesmith38922 жыл бұрын
Ditto!
@anthonyherring52422 жыл бұрын
@@sarajanesmith3892 ppl zee a
@Nclght2 жыл бұрын
That he didn't win an emmy as Festus is a travesty.
@jerryvandiver72272 жыл бұрын
@@Nclght Ill second that.
@gerimaxwell71406 ай бұрын
He was gorgeous when he was young.
@jimtomczak73742 жыл бұрын
For him to have played Festus so very convincingly, what an actor!
@willuammorgan7809 Жыл бұрын
An excellent example of Sons of the Pioneers harmony and musicianship.
@normascheppmann4526 жыл бұрын
Ken Curtis was one of the best singers I have ever heard...So much smoother than today's "so called talent"...He didn't need tight pants or didn't need to be jumping all over the stage..I love listening to him sing....
@donizettidepaula82834 жыл бұрын
Ken Curtis tem talento em dobro !
@alicehenderson66304 жыл бұрын
Me to he had a great voice
@johnyoung98743 жыл бұрын
Ken replaced Frank Sinatra as lead singer in the Tommy Dorsey Band .
@janicesimmons6764 Жыл бұрын
So do I
@barbarabaldwin7120 Жыл бұрын
GUNSMOKE OVERLOOKED HIM!!!!!!!
@kerrytrout3 жыл бұрын
I never heard him sing until five minutes ago. And I’m a baby boomer who grew up watching Gunsmoke! What a beautiful voice!
@krisgreenwood51733 ай бұрын
Call me a sucker. I like this kind of music. The Sons of the Pioneers is an all time favorite.
@robertmitchell43767 жыл бұрын
Jo Stafford sang Tumbling Tumbleweed with the Pioneers backing her.When she found out they were looking for a new lead singer she recommended Ken and he recorded THIS with the Sons and they had a top 10 Country and pop hit with Ken's vocals.When Ms.Stafford was under contract to Tommy Dorcey and heard Sinatra was looking to leave Dorcey,she recommended Curtis to Dorcey and he did briefly replace Frank for 3 months until Sinatra returned after a contract dispute.Stafford heard Curtis when he sang as a staff radio singer.He was using his birth name Curtis Gates.Dorcey recorded 2 songs with him,one charted and had Gates change his name to Ken Curtis.With The Pioneers Curtis had a big pop and country hit with"I'll Take You Kathleen" from the Rio Grande soundtrack,from the John Wayne movie Rio Grande.The soundtrack produced a few other hit singles with Ken as lead singer.Room Full Of Roses was Ken's biggest hit record and with the Pioneers Ken performed featured vocalist and they were the 1st Country/Western group to perform at Carnegie Hall in 1950.Ken Curtis stated that was probably his greatest achievement in his show business career.Though as an actor he loved his Festus Hagen role on Gunsmoke.
@normanleach95875 жыл бұрын
Thanks man.
@davidritchie81724 жыл бұрын
Great singer good actor !
@susanlynn7703 жыл бұрын
Interesting. Thanks for sharing.
@h.calvert31652 жыл бұрын
He was a handsome man, as well as a fine actor & singer. Thanks for this fascinating information. Never knew the great Jo Stafford advocated so strongly for him. He really owed her a lot! 👏
@JudyOpelt2 ай бұрын
Thank you for the info
@TheShizue7778 жыл бұрын
There is no such thing as "too much Ken Curtis." Ken Curtis and The Sons of the Pioneers? Gorgeous. Thank you for posting this beautiful song.
@kencurtisfans5588 жыл бұрын
You're welcome!!
@rachelcampbell79546 жыл бұрын
I LOVED HIM AS FESTUS TOO.
@charlesmoore40466 жыл бұрын
pTheShizue777 p
@karennobwillsstatler72116 жыл бұрын
TheShizue777 📱syrupy has g6h
@dorothycoker88303 жыл бұрын
Don’t forget the many movies with John Wayne.
@tommysfather4 жыл бұрын
Man, Ken sure has a tremendous voice. He doesn't over project just him and THE voice.
@Drumulater16 ай бұрын
Yes
@cavendermary3954 Жыл бұрын
This is some of the best music I grew up with!! What a handsome cowboy... Ken Curtis!!
@dianalogas29702 жыл бұрын
Thank you for this video. My Uncle Tim Spencer is standing next to Ken Curtis. My Uncle Tim wrote the song, Room Full of Roses.
@debbieluther46855 ай бұрын
So cool!
@Halfgig573 ай бұрын
on which side of Ken is your uncle? At time 1:28 one guy is partly hidden by Ken and the other on the right you can see his belt buckle.
@johnwadd841225 күн бұрын
Tim Spencer does not appear in this video. The sons are…… Tommy Doss to the right of Curtis, Lloyd Perryman to the left of Curtis , Hugh and Karl Farr on violin and guitar, finally Shug Fisher on upright bass
@ruthnagarya20284 жыл бұрын
LOVE their harmony..nothing like several guys or gals singing in harmony
@philiplayman35803 жыл бұрын
That is Barbershop Singers too !
@christinemorrow85357 жыл бұрын
Ken's was raised in our town Las Animas Colorado. His dad was the sheriff. The sheriff lived downstairs and the jail cells were on the second story. The old jail is still here.
@leonarddonald20933 жыл бұрын
That's so cool
@robbinbruno23202 жыл бұрын
He was fabulous. His voice was dreamy and that fiddle player too. What a wonderful artist and character! Genius
@biscutsdad3 ай бұрын
"... that fiddle player" is Hugh Farr.
@MadamSarasin8 жыл бұрын
Gee! What a HUNK he was in those days (before he grew the beard)! And a voice that could melt stones! Accompanied with the great Sons of the Pioneers makes this an everlasting classic!
@kateallsop65725 жыл бұрын
True superb words a and music
@aprilcunningham72465 жыл бұрын
Very sexy man even with the beard. His voice is awesome....SWOON!
@misspad72822 жыл бұрын
I have to agree with you on that!
@collegeparkwhiteboy Жыл бұрын
Your captivating comment makes your sincere appreciation shine
@johnwagner409 Жыл бұрын
Beautiful. So much better than today's #$%@.
@terrymassie97966 жыл бұрын
He has me a fan whether he is singing or acting
@antoniograncino3506 Жыл бұрын
Curtis was in a league with Jim Nabors and Frank Fontaine, actors who talked funny but sang beautifully. Curtis was the best IMHO.
@jimdep654211 ай бұрын
Ken Curtis has to be one of THE finest actors of all time...and great singer / entertainer too.
@jaytaylor77406 жыл бұрын
What a delight. I'd never known...or had forgotten...that Ken Curtiss has been a singer. Thanks so much for sharing this.
@janicesimmons6764 Жыл бұрын
Another great song by a gifted group of singers. Especially Ken
@leelee677573 жыл бұрын
I’m swooning. I love, Ken Curtis both handsome and very talented.
@TheSharron3 жыл бұрын
Doesn’t he just make you melt?His voice is like butta!🥰
@misspad72823 жыл бұрын
I always loved the Sons of the Pioneers and never knew Ken Curtis was in the group. What an amazing voice he had and he sure could act too! And I forgot to mention that he was a very handsome man. I loved Festus in Gunsmoke, the best character if you ask me.
@garydeansmith4462 жыл бұрын
Before that he took Frank Sinatra's place with the Tommy Dorsey Band when Sinatra left to go solo.
@garryb19526 жыл бұрын
Great performance by the Sons of the Pioneers with Ken Curtis. Fantastic to see again.
@deepwater26523 жыл бұрын
Ran into Ken at our state fair many years ago - he was a true gentleman!
@summerz8867 Жыл бұрын
Saw him and Doc at a fair in Greeley, Colorado, many moons ago..good times! He was born and raised in Lamar, his Dad was the sheriff I think…💫
@user-iw9uo6ee3o2 жыл бұрын
Funny, my mom once said, Festus had a beautiful voice was quite the singer. I never realized he was part of the pioneers. He has such a beautiful timber to his voice. Hard to believe it is the same person. I am 55. I was probably in my 20's. Still learn something new every day.
@shelleywilliams649919 күн бұрын
Love Ken Curtis as singer and actor.
@cemarkell402911 ай бұрын
He's sooooo good! I can't get enough of him! I play his room full of roses over and over.
@joannadoherty42442 жыл бұрын
God really did bless Ken with the sweetest voice
@whalesong9993 жыл бұрын
Ken and The Sons of The Pioneers were the first real warmth in song I remember emitting from the radio back in the '40s when I was a wee one.
@tonyclarke96505 жыл бұрын
"well Matthew..i told you i could sing"...
@jerryfischer39883 ай бұрын
Good one 👍
@geraldcharles16243 жыл бұрын
Great singer, great actor .I have always enjoyed all of his performances.
@tigerman20282 жыл бұрын
Wow! I love Gunsmoke and did not know that Ken Curtis was ona singing group and could sing so well. I do remember my Dad singing Cool Water when he was alive. These songs make me miss my Dad so much. He was a great bass singer. He was also my hero.
@garydeansmith4462 жыл бұрын
He started out as a singer. When Frank Sinatra left the Tommy Dorsey Band to go solo, Ken Curis took his place. That was before he took Roy Rogers place when he left Sons of the Pioneers.
@johnnybeanz12964 жыл бұрын
I listened to a bunch of different singers do this song. Ken is the best.
@adrianahinestrosa2 ай бұрын
You are just wonderful . Thank you cowboy 🤠 ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
@BigBingFan6 жыл бұрын
Our 100+ year old tradition in Fort Worth, the "Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show" is held annually here, and when I was about 12, my folks took me to the Rodeo. (This was approx. 1969), and after some events, the lights lowered, a mike was dropped down, and a man in Cowboy duds came out, the spotlight hit, and I'll never forget that the announcer introduced, "Ken Curtis," of "Gunsmoke" fame on TV, of which my Dad was a huge fan of that show. I can't remember if he wore his "Festus" duds, but either way, once he began singing, (after a kid's view of his raggedy "Gunsmoke" persona, I will NEVER forget seeing "Festus" singing, well, actually Crooning. Best of my recollection now that I'm 60 is, that he didn't sing a C/W tune, but a popular ballad. Anyway, my remembrance of Ken Curtis.
@classychassie6584Ай бұрын
He was the voice in The Sons of the Pioneers, I loved hearing him sing & watching him act❤
@SlyTyler97 Жыл бұрын
Dang Ken can just sing like it’s nothing he would blow everyone out the water nowadays
@nancywood90277 жыл бұрын
Love this so much!
@patalexander37022 жыл бұрын
Beautiful music; Ken’s singing was outstanding.
@glennjohnson81707 жыл бұрын
Glenn Johnson Absolutely wonderful.You would just never believe he was Festus.Loved the Pioneers since i first heard them in the early 50`s and i dont know how many years it`s been since i`ve seen this film.Hope it`s available out there.Great to see Spade Cooley!Thanks for uploading this.
@susanwyatt7546 Жыл бұрын
Glenn Strange was Sam Noonan, the bartender, on Gunsmoke. Ken Curtis wss Festus Hagan. Loved them both!
@glennjohnson8170 Жыл бұрын
@@susanwyatt7546 Sure right there,Susan.Wonderful times.
@nordseeistmordsee3 жыл бұрын
I am speechless...and thrilled...😍
@smilespires2 жыл бұрын
This is Awesome! I had no idea he acted as Festus. I have listened to the Sons of Pioneers since I was a child.. My favorite song. Trees
@carolyntanner65173 жыл бұрын
Beautiful ❤😃👍🏼
@willtube612 жыл бұрын
One of many songs my dad used to sing. I’d forgotten about this one.
@lewisfrazier35063 жыл бұрын
They sang very well! My Grandmother loved these guys and she got me listening too!!
@pkagtr112 жыл бұрын
Velvet voice and so handsome! ❤
@BabyandLittleGuy5 жыл бұрын
I was a kid when I first saw him in "Gunsmoke," but I wasn't an avid fan of the show then. Now, thanks to the INSP network, I started seeing episodes of "Gunsmoke," and I became a huge fan! And thanks to the internet, I now know how very versatile he was! The Sons of the Pioneers are part of a musical genre which I haven't been drawn to before, but thanks to Mr. Curtis, my musical horizon has just widened. 😀 Lovely song!
@tedpeterson11564 жыл бұрын
"Cornbread & Buttermilk (And Good Old Greasey Greens) is my favorite
@phyllisboyse20244 жыл бұрын
The gentleman that just sat down is also a great country music musician - Spade Cooley. Watched his band back in the late 50s and early 60s. as well.
@tedpeterson11564 жыл бұрын
He died in prison. Killed his wife. Festus would never do that!
@chrismoreno1627 Жыл бұрын
Never knew festus was a singer WOW what a voice im gonna have to look up Ken's music now my favorite one on gunsmoke!!!
@michaelcurrie3049 ай бұрын
My mom was a real Fan of Spade Cooley. I grew up listening to him, Lawerence Welk, and Jackson Sinclair (The Polka Parade). Through my Grandparents, add to that Hilo Hattie!
@BigBingFan5 жыл бұрын
Great Trivia Quiz: What male crooner replaced Frank Sinatra at the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra? Answer: Ken Curtis. One and the same. Amazing. I was at the Great Exposition and Fat Stock Show, annual Fort Worth Big Event, and when I was 9 or 10, midway through the rodeo, the public speaker announced that "Festus" Ken Curtis from "Gunsmoke" was singing--don't remember the tune. But, to hear that Ken Curtis was to sing, it was like goofy Gomer Pyle, Jim Nabors, you'd NEVER know who can sing despite their theatrical persona.
@sabrinagrant55162 жыл бұрын
Growing up watching reruns of Gunsmoke I developed a crush on Ken aka Festus.
@df52952 жыл бұрын
I only knew Ken Curtis as Festus. What a great voice he has!
@barbarabaldwin7120 Жыл бұрын
HEY! HE WAS ON THAT WILD WEST SHOW--WHY DIDN'T THEY LET HIM SING?????
@thomasdrozd94712 жыл бұрын
Mr. Ken Curtis I love you on Gunsmoke. I loved your voice. You were great. You left this world too soon. Lv u P Drozd
@bama5393 жыл бұрын
What a talented man!
@paanne10133 жыл бұрын
OMG! That's Ken Curtis in front of Roy Rogers? WOW! I always loved that group.
@janmiechiels6926 Жыл бұрын
That’s Tommy Doss, not Roy Rogers behind Ken.
@lindalcoomesАй бұрын
@@janmiechiels6926 I think i see Roy also?
@debbieabbott87859 ай бұрын
He warms my heart
@jamesrburden95422 жыл бұрын
He is fantastic!!,
@buddyv34573 жыл бұрын
Excellent!!!
@jcnewton4619 Жыл бұрын
Good memories of my Mom ,she loved this song. Thank you.
@cimerti2 жыл бұрын
What an awesome singer! Finding out Festus is a good looking movie crooner was like finding out that George " the Animal" Steele was a college professor of English literature! Strange, but true!
@Roydolli Жыл бұрын
Fantastic!
@honeywolf18 жыл бұрын
i love ken loved him in gunsmoke roy rogers was my hero growing up
@carolkubiak38874 жыл бұрын
Great singing, was that also Spade Cooley?
@janmiechiels6926 Жыл бұрын
Yes, Spade
@countryboywilliams67557 жыл бұрын
WOW...didn`t know this song was that old
@summerz8867 Жыл бұрын
Saw him and Doc at a fair in Greeley, Colorado many moons ago, good times!!! He was born in Lamar, I think hid Dad was Sheriff there?💫✨
@3373-g8z3 жыл бұрын
Ken had so much talent. IMO. a good actor/actress can make you forgot all their other roles, as you watch them act. But Ken!- this guy can appear as 2 totally different men! I'm 50, so I didn't encounter him till Gunsmoke reruns, in the mid- 70s. Until the late 80s, I never knew he had a Golden Voice!
@johnellebaker37253 ай бұрын
I loved his voice! Wonderful singer and great actor.
@starclone42 жыл бұрын
Ken was absolutely Amazing !!!!
@evaheiser408311 ай бұрын
Ken Curtis, ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@claytoncoward13776 ай бұрын
Still had a great voice in his Gunsmoke days I believe in 1966 started off an episode singing at a funeral
@Dar-RR-292 ай бұрын
Love to hear him Sing 😊 Love watching him on Gunsmoke 😊
@randysmith70352 жыл бұрын
this song came on the radio once and my wife looked at me and said looks like they wrote your story. we both started laughing 😁
@rhondaboncutter58125 жыл бұрын
Ken was a really good looking man, how did he end up playing Festus on Gunsmoke!!
@waykno84784 жыл бұрын
$$$.
@teresaproaps83683 жыл бұрын
'cause he was also a consummate actor!!
@randallalan42213 жыл бұрын
@@teresaproaps8368 What a talented man he was!!
@johngray12533 жыл бұрын
By just being a great actor!
@johngray12533 жыл бұрын
@Endtimes are upon us please! he had a lot of talent
@lewie78203 ай бұрын
My Grandmother loved these fellas.......
@SamhainBe Жыл бұрын
He sang with The Pioneers - WOW!
@timcc0012 жыл бұрын
So smooth.
@pegatheetoo1437 Жыл бұрын
He was quite the actor. His whole look changed when he sang!
@RickMartin-x3h9 ай бұрын
My favorite KEN Curtis song Is Kool clear water such a voice
@violetbennett24072 жыл бұрын
He had a beautiful voice.
@tufanirfan3 жыл бұрын
legends never dies
@dreisternehof2 жыл бұрын
What a pretty precision!!!
@williamgstritzinger93403 жыл бұрын
Beautiful absolutely
@wesdoobner75212 жыл бұрын
That Pioneer family sure raised some talented sons. lol
@kevinw90734 жыл бұрын
Well done!
@ayersshawn5 жыл бұрын
I knew that for I am related to Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey. Tommy had a big problem on his hands. He had Buddy Rich and Frank Sinatra. Story goes. Frank was singing he couldn’t get the phasing down. Frank blames Buddy for playing it to fast. Buddy told Frank if he could sing he wouldn’t have a problem. Frank picks up a stainless steel bucket of ice throws it at Buddy’s head just missing him.Frank quits over contract dispute money. Tommy gets Ken Curtis. Frank hears Ken sing Frank comes back to Tommy to get his job back.I wished that I could remember the song. Then Tommy gets Mel Torme. That’s another story
@DanneyTanner10 ай бұрын
What years was Festus in the group?
@PennyBlack-km7wt6 ай бұрын
In case some don't know, but.he also sung in John Wayne's movie the Rio granda.
@terrysampson57592 жыл бұрын
What such talents Roy and Ken and the Rest I did not know Ken was with the Pioneers
@johnheinrich6907 Жыл бұрын
I was thinking that was Roy, but wasn’t sure. Thanks
@janmiechiels6926 Жыл бұрын
Looks a little like Roy, but I don’t think so. I believe Roy was out of the Pioneers for several years by the time Ken Curtis joined.
@janmiechiels6926 Жыл бұрын
That’s Tommy Doss next to Ken Curtis
@carolekohlschmidt68994 жыл бұрын
Ken curtis was a wonderful singer.
@gaildimick18312 жыл бұрын
Love the “SEARCHERS “. A-1 MUSIC
@eoinrobertson71803 ай бұрын
Was my late Father in laws favorite song.
@Emslander3 ай бұрын
What a shockingly pleasant revelation. Good old Festus.
@h.calvert3165 Жыл бұрын
Festus sure cleaned up good! 🤠
@loltubexd6362 Жыл бұрын
Ken Curtis has to be the best singer I have ever heard.
@jannettefairbanks8172 жыл бұрын
me and my huband doug injoy watching the gunsmoke reruns on inspirational channel festus our favorite charector
@alanhumphrey41983 жыл бұрын
Ken Curtis was in a tv series about skydivers called "Ripcord"....
@Rayorbrenda-eu8uv Жыл бұрын
One of the best
@davidholton9667 Жыл бұрын
So sorry for the infringe on your privacy. Beautiful song. How are you?