This photograph
was taken in December 2001 when the Desert Sons were one of several guest
artist acts to fill in for Dolan while he recovered from elbow surgery. The
gentlemen pictured with Dolan are, from left to right, Slim Tighe (upright
bass), Benny Young (fiddle and occasional accordion), and John ("Buck") Ryberg,
rhythm guitar and lead vocals. The fourth member of the group, Skelly
Boyd, was unable to be at the AFP that weekend. The quartet made one
final major appearance, at the Cochise Cowboy Poetry & Music Gathering in
February 2002, where they received standing ovations at each of their performances.
Benny and John have now reestablished
the group with Bill Ronstadt on upright bass and Bill Ganz taking Skelly's
place on lead guitar. The new group have returned to the AFP several
times, and are among the most popular of all. Their official press
photograph is shown below. (L-R): Bill Ronstadt, Benny Young, Buck
Ryberg, and Bill Ganz.
No words can beat those from their press
package: "The Desert Sons have been performing
the traditional and contemporary music of the American West. Their unique
vocal harmony and classic instrumentation are combined with an energy and
stage presence that always engages the audience in a celebration of the West
and its music. They write and sing about what they live and love. The beauty
and excitement of their performances comes from more than musical talent;
it’s from the
soul and spirit that is unique to those who belong to the West.
"John (Buck) Ryberg, lead vocals
and rhythm guitar, has lived in Baja Arizona (Tucson) since 1951. Singing
cowboy songs around the campfire, wrangling at the family dude ranch, riding
and roaming the deserts and mountains of Arizona, remembering the stories
of the Colorado homestead where his Dad was born; all of this somehow weaves
its way into his music.
"Benny (BJ) Young, Fiddle and harmony
vocals, got his start in the Caprock country of Texas where his Great-Grandfather
was once a cowboy on the famed J A Ranch. Something of the rich tradition
of the cowboy and fiddle music of Texas took root in Benny and it finds
a sparkling expression in his performance on stage.
"Bill Ganz, lead guitar, lead and
harmony vocals, comes from the prairies of Nebraska where the Buffalo (and
Buffalo Bill) once roamed. Among other groups, Bill has been a part of
the fabled Reinsmen, and he is the leader of his own Western swing and
dance band: The Bill Ganz Western Band.
"Bill
Ronstadt was born a true son of the desert in Tucson, Arizona. His love
for the Sonoran Desert was nurtured with stories of the old family ranch, “Las
Delicias,” in
the Altar Valley. His love for music was an inevitable result of being
born in a family where songs, and singing together, were part of the
deal. Out of this rich Western and musical heritage, Bill brings precise,
warm vocals and the acoustic bass that anchors the sound of The Desert
Sons."
The photo above is from the new
group's first visit to the AFP, in November 2003.
The
Desert Sons have recorded four albums, all full of wonderful southwestern
music:
1.
Arizona Home - 1991. This was the Desert Son's first recording. The group consisted of Benny Young, John Ryberg
and Darrel Yarbrough. The title cut has become the "signature song" for
the group. This recording also has wonderful tunes such as "The
Arizona Waltz", "Adobe Hacienda" and Benny's original composition "Down
Off the Cap". Available in CD only.
2.
Heart of the West - 1996. A change in the group brought in two new
members. The group consisted of
Benny Young, John Ryberg, Slim Tighe and Skelly Boyd. This album includes
several of the group's own compositions as well as several classic
western songs such as "Ghost Riders in the Sky". Available in
cassette and CD.
3.
Where the Mountains Meet the Sky - 1999. This
is a collection of western standards including "Tumbling Tumbleweeds", "Cool
Water", "Man Walks Among Us" and many more classic tunes. Available
in cassette and CD.
4.
Ride Cowboy Ride - 2003. 15 contemporary
and classic western songs. This CD is the first with the current
group consisting of Benny Young, John Ryberg, Bill Ronstadt and Bill
Ganz. All members of the group are featured on the album. It
includes well known songs such as "Jingle Jangle" and "Wind", as well
as wonderful tunes such as "Song of the Sierras" and "Traildust" which
are not widely recorded. Available in CD only.
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