Show: Roy Rogers Jr.
Keyboards: Conrad Askland
Show Dates: 2001-2004
Number of Shows Performed: 65+
Roy Rogers was Hollywood’s “silver screen cowboy”, and along with his wife Dale Evans combined acting with cowboy music and his son, Roy Rogers Jr. (Dusty), carried on his father’s legacy with great respect and honor to traditional cowboy music. I had the honor or playing for a few years with Roy Rogers Jr. in the “Highriders” band recreating traditional cowboy and country/western music. We were heavily immersed in the traditional sounds of the Sons of the Pioneers and played for many Cowboy poetry gatherings throughout the United States.
At the time I lived in Victorville, CA and the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans museum was located there (later moved to Branson, MO and since closed). I got to spend some time with Roy Rogers, and Dale Evans did a recording session at my recording studio at the time. But it was really through Roy Rogers Jr. and the experience of seeing him interact behind the scenes that I got to appreciate the legacy of Roy Rogers. In Roy Rogers Jr. (Dusty), I have known no greater man with an appreciation for the preservation of the heartland of the United States.