Orthacoustic Symphonies of the Sage

1941

“Orthacoustic” was an RCA Victor trademark for its recording process and sound quality—a brand name for a physical recording process. RCA Victor owned the National Broadcast Company, better known as NBC.

During an extended stay in Chicago from mid-1940 until September 1941, the Pioneers recorded more than 200 songs on transcription for NBC's Orthacoustic Recording Division. The series was released under the title “Symphonies of the Sage,” the label reading “Produced by Roy Rogers, Inc.’ “ Rogers had initially lent money to the Pioneers to make the recordings. They soon repaid Rogers, and later pressings of the discs omitted his name, according to music historian Larry Zwisohn.

These recordings featured the group that came to be known as the “classic” Sons of the Pioneers and “The Aristocrats of the Range”: Bob Nolan, Tim Spencer, Lloyd Perryman, Pat Brady, Hugh and Karl Farr. This was the group that America saw and heard on the Columbia Charles Starrett movies in the late 1930s. This was the group when it reached the peak.

Bob Nolan felt that, because the Pioneers could select and arrange the songs and provide their own instrumentation, these transcriptions were the best examples of how the Pioneers sounded at that time. The transcription recordings of Nolan’s songs are also considered the closest to what he intended when he wrote them and had them published in American Music's song folios, Bob Nolan's Folio of Original Cowboy Classics No. 1 & 2.

Many of the recordings from Symphonies of the Sage were later re-released by NBC as part of their Thesaurus collections. See the NBC Thesaurus Transcriptions page for more information.

SONS of the PIONEERS mid-February 1941, Chicago
Bob Nolan, Tim Spencer, vocal; Lloyd Perryman, vocal & guitar; Hugh Farr, fiddle & vocal; Karl Farr, guitar; Pat Brady, bass

059250
1A
WHEN PAYDAY ROLLS AROUND (Bob Nolan)
LOVE SONG OF THE WATERFALL (Bob Nolan/Carl Winge/Bernard Barnes)
JIM JAM JIGGIN' (Karl Farr)
BEAUTIFUL DREAMER (Stephen Foster)
YIPPI-YI, YIPPI-YO (Glenn Spencer)
CHANT OF THE WANDERER (Bob Nolan)

059251
1B
SAGEBRUSH SYMPHONY (Glenn Spencer)
COTTAGE IN THE CLOUDS (Bob Nolan/Lloyd Perryman)
SWINGIN’ THE BOW (Hugh & Karl Farr)
GET ALONG, PINTO PONY (Tim Spencer)
WEST IS IN MY SOUL (Bob Nolan)
A COWBOY HAS TO SING (Bob Nolan)

SONS of the PIONEERS late March 1941, Chicago
059426
2A
DON JUAN (Tim & Glenn Spencer) 2:37
HE'S RIDIN' HOME (Ridin’ Home) (Bob Nolan) 2:27
CIELITO LINDO (Carlos Fernandez) 2:15
FAR - AWAY BLUES (Hugh & Karl Farr) 2:05
LONE BUCKAROO (Bob Nolan) 1:45
SPRINGTIME ON THE RANGE (Tim Spencer) 1:20

059427
2B
YOU AIN'T HEARD NUTHIN' ‘TIL YOU HEAR HIM ROAR (Bob Nolan) 1:40
COOL WATER (Bob Nolan) 2:00
LISTEN TO THE MOCKINGBIRD (Alice Hawthorne aka Septimus Winner/Dick Milburn) 2:25
OLD PIONEER (Tim Spencer) 2:15
WAGONS WESTWARD (Bob Nolan/Tim Spencer) 1:55
CAJON STOMP (Hugh Farr) 1:50

SONS of the PIONEERS late March 1941, Chicago
059460
3A
THE TOUCH OF GOD'S HAND (Bob) 2:40
THE TIMBER TRAIL (Tim Spencer) 1:35
YOU DON'T LOVE ME BUT I'LL ALWAYS CARE (Lou Wayne) 2:50
RIDIN’ DOWN THE SLEEPY RIO GRANDE (Len Slye aka Roy Rogers) 2:00
RIDING THE ROCKY RANGE (Tim Spencer) 2:00
THE CRICKET HOP (Hugh & Karl Farr) 1:45

059461
3B
CURLY JOE FROM IDAHO (Tim Spencer) 2:45
RIDIN' DOWN THE CANYON (Smiley Burnette/Gene Autry) 2:00
THERE'S A RAINBOW OVER THE RANGE (Tim Spencer) 2:25
ROUND UP TIME IS OVER (Bob Nolan) 1:40
CAMPFIRES IN HEAVEN (Bob Nolan) 2:00
DANCE OF THE DOGIES (Hugh & Karl Farr) 2:20

SONS of the PIONEERS early April 1941, Chicago
064053
4A
HELLO, WAY UP THERE (Bob Nolan - Lloyd Perryman) 2:08
CRAWDAD HOLE (Traditional) 2:30
RISE AND SHINE (Bob Nolan) 1:35
THE BOSS IS HANGIN’ OUT A RAINBOW (Bob Nolan) 2:05
YIPPI YI YOUR TROUBLES AWAY (Tim & Glenn Spencer) 1:55
CACTUS SWING (Hugh & Karl Farr) 2:05

064054
4B
THE CHEROKEE STRIP (Tim & Glenn Spencer) 2:05
BOUND FOR THE RIO GRANDE (Bob Nolan) 1:45
TRAIL HERDIN' COWBOY (Bob Nolan) 1:45
TRAIL DREAMIN' Bob Nolan) 2:25
PIONEER MOTHER (That Pioneer Mother of Mine) (Tim Spencer) 2:25
SOUTH IN MY SOUL (Hugh & Karl Farr) 1:45

SONS of the PIONEERS early April 1941, Chicago
064059
5A
NOW OR NEVER (Hugh & Karl Farr) 1:35
HOPPIN' HIGH (Hugh & Karl Farr) 2:10
HEART TO HEART Hugh & Karl Farr) 3:30
I SAID GOODBYE (Hugh & Karl Farr) 2:20
FARR INTO THE NIGHT (Hugh & Karl Farr) 1:15
DREAMY REVERIE (Hugh & Karl Farr) 1:15

SONS of the PIONEERS early April 1941, Chicago
064062
5B
SUNSET ON THE TRAIL (Tim Spencer) 2:10
HANGIN' BLUES (Bob Nolan) 2:35
WHISTLE AND WAIT FOR KATIE (Michael Nolan) 2:15
COW ACROSS THE ROAD (Hugh & Karl Farr) 2:00
IT'S A COWBOY'S LIFE FOR ME (Glenn Spencer) 1:50
ROCKY ROADS (Bob Nolan) 1:25

SONS of the PIONEERS mid-April 1941, Chicago
064072
6A
WHERE THE RIO ROLLS ALONG (Tim Spencer) 1:30
COME AND GET IT (Tim & Glenn Spencer) 1:30
THE NEW FRONTIER (The New Frontier) (Tim Spencer) 1:40
HE'S GONE UP THE TRAIL (Tim Spencer) 2:30
COMIN' THRU THE RYE (Robert Burns) 1:40
RIDIN' THE RANGE WITH YOU (Tim Spencer) 2:32

064073
6B
RIDIN' ON THE SUNSHINE TRAIL (Tim Spencer) 1:20
LORD, YOU MADE THE COWBOY HAPPY (Bob Nolan) 2:15
CODY OF THE TEXAS EXPRESS (Bob Nolan) 1:30
THE TEXAS CRAPSHOOTER (Traditional) 1:45
SO LONG TO THE RED RIVER VALLEY (Glenn Spencer) 2:30
DON'T YOU WISH YOU HAD SOMEONE (Hugh & Karl Farr) 2:20

SONS of the PIONEERS mid-April 1941, Chicago
064076
7A
BLUE PRAIRIE (Tim Spencer/Bob Nolan) 2:50
HOLD THAT CRITTER DOWN (Bob Nolan) 1:52
GOLDEN WEDDING WALTZ (Tim Spencer) 2:15
INDIAN SCOUT (Hugh & Karl Farr) 1:50
STARLITIN' TIME IN TEXAS (Bob Nolan) 1:35
MEMORIES IN BLUE (Karl Farr) 1:55

SONS of the PIONEERS mid-April 1941, Chicago
064090
7B
I GRAB MY SADDLE HORN AND BLOW (Bob Nolan) 1:25
I BELONG TO THE RANGE (Glenn Spencer) 2:30
THE HOWLIN' PUP (Hugh Farr) 1:35
MOONLIGHT ON THE TRAIL (Tim Spencer) 1:50
WHEN THE PRAIRIE SUN CLIMBS OUT OF THE HAY (Tim & Glenn Spencer) 1:45
BLUIN' THE BLUES (Hugh & Karl Farr) 1:25

SONS of the PIONEERS mid-April 1941, Chicago
064093
8A
I'M HEADIN’ FOR THE HOME CORRAL (Tim & Glenn Spencer) 1:45
ON THE RHYTHM RANGE (Bob Nolan) 2:15
DARK EYES (Traditional) 1:55
CLOSE TO HEAVEN (Bob Nolan) 2:10
ONE MORE RIDE (Bob Nolan) 2:15
THEY DREW MY NUMBER (Tim Spencer) 1:50

064094
Supplement 1
WHAT WONDERFUL JOY 2:15
YOU MUST COME IN AT THE DOOR (Traditional) 1:30
LEAD ME GENTLY HOME FATHER (Will L. Thompson) 2:20
WHEN I LEAVE THIS WORLD BEHIND (Bob Nolan) 2:10
HEAR DEM BELLS (David S. McCosh) 1:50

SONS of the PIONEERS early May 1941, Chicago
064352
9A
ROCKY MOUNTAIN EXPRESS (Harry & Charles Tobias/Albert Von Tilzer) 1:45
COYOTE'S SERENADE (Bob Nolan) 2:50
ANNIE LAURIE (William Douglas/Lady John Scott) 2:00
BLOW, WIND, BLOW (Glenn Spencer) 2:10
NE-HA-NEE (Nay-Hah-Nee) (Bob Nolan) 2:05
OPEN RANGE AHEAD (Bob Nolan) 1:40

064353
9B
SONG OF THE BANDIT (Bob Nolan) 2:20
THIS AIN'T THE SAME OLD RANGE (Bob Nolan) 2:45
FIDDLIN' AROUND (Hugh & Karl Farr) 1:15
FOLLOWIN' THE SUN ALL DAY (Bob Nolan) 2:35
LAZY (Bob Nolan) 2:35
MORE FRIED CHICKEN, UNCLE JOE (Hugh & Karl Farr) 1:00

SONS of the PIONEERS mid-May 1941, Chicago
064381
10A
SHE'S THE LILY OF HILLBILLY VALLEY (Tim Spencer) 2:20
WHEN THE PRAIRIE SUN SAYS GOOD MORNIN’ (Bob Nolan) 2:10
KEEP A LIGHT IN YOUR WINDOW, TONIGHT (Lester McFarland/Robert A. Gardner/Happy Jack Turner) 2:55
WHISTLIN' RUFUS (Kerry Mills) 1:55
WHISP'RIN' WIND (Tim Spencer) 3:00

064382
10B
BY A CAMPFIRE ON THE TRAIL (Tim Spencer) 1:50
RED RIVER VALLEY (Traditional) 2:05
BLUE FOR YOU (Karl Farr) 2:45
HAPPY COWBOY (Bob Nolan) 2:05
ECHO FROM THE HILLS (Echoes from the Hills) (Bob Nolan) 1:40
BOGGY ROAD TO TEXAS (Hugh & Karl Farr) 1:40

SONS of the PIONEERS mid-May 1941, Chicago
064392
11A
JUBILATION JAMBOREE (Glenn Spencer) 1:30
OVER THE SANTA FE TRAIL (Tim Spencer) 2:50
LONG, LONG AGO (Thomas Haynes Bayly) 1:50
BLUEBONNET GIRL (Blue Bonnet Girl) (Glenn Spencer) 2:45
SEND HIM HOME TO ME (Bob Nolan) 3:30

064393
11B
GREAT BIG TATERS IN THE SANDY LAND (Hugh & Karl Farr) 1:30
I WONDER IF SHE WAITS FOR ME TONIGHT (Bob Nolan) 3:10
BY THE LAKES OF PONCHARTRAIN (Traditional) 3:00
AT THE OLD BARN DANCE (Tim Spencer/Carl Winge) 2:30
DOWN THE TRAIL (Glenn & Tim Spencer)
BISCUIT BLUES (Bob Nolan) 2:15

SONS of the PIONEERS mid-May 1941, Chicago
064397
12A
WAY OUT THERE (Bob Nolan) 2:50
MY BONNIE LIES OVER THE OCEAN (J. T. Wood/H. J. Fulmer) 1:30
BLUE EYED LITTLE NELL OF NARRAGANSET BAY (Bright Eyed Nell of Naraganset Bay) (Wurzel aka George Frederick Root) 2:20
NO GOOD SUN OF A GUN (Bob Nolan) 2:30
HILLBILLY WEDDING IN JUNE (Freddie Large/Frankie More) 1:30

SONS of the PIONEERS late May 1941, Chicago
064412
12B
I LOVE THE PRAIRIE COUNTRY (Glenn Spencer) 2:00
MOONLIGHT MELODY (Glenn Spencer) 2:30
SHADOWS OF THE WILDWOOD (Bob Nolan) 2:25
LITTLE BROWN JUG (R. A. Eastburn aka Joseph E. Winner) 1:50
SADDLE YOUR WORRIES TO THE WIND (Bob Nolan) 2:15

SONS of the PIONEERS mid-June 1941, Chicago
064442
13A
THE DEVIL'S GREAT GRAND-SON (Bob Nolan) 1:40
ROCKY ROAD IN THE ROCKIES (Glenn Spencer) 2:40
WHAT YOU GONNA SAY TO PETER (Bob Nolan) 3:10
COMIN' THRU THE KORN (Hugh & Karl Farr) 1:40
CATTLE CALL RONDOLET (Glenn Spencer) 1:10

064443
13B
SONG OF THE PIONEERS (Tim Spencer) 1:40
I AIN'T A-WORRIN' (Tim Spencer) 3:05
WHEN THEY RING THOSE GOLDEN BELLS (Dion DeMarbelle) 2:15
CLIMBIN’ UP THE GOLDEN STAIRS (Spiritual) 1:45
ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT (Traditional) 2:05
THE OLD RUGGED CROSS (George Bennard)

Note: Some pressings of Disc 13 list "Song of the Pioneers" as track six on side A even though it is the first track on side B of the disc.

SONS of the PIONEERS mid-June 1941, Chicago
064446
14A
HILL COUNTRY (Glenn Spencer) 1:40
BLUE MOUNTAIN SWEETHEART (Glenn Spencer) 2:45
WHEN THE MOON COMES OVER SUN VALLEY (Tim Spencer) 2:55
WHOOPIE TYE YI YO (Whoopee Ti Yi Yo) (Traditional) 2:50
A COWBOY'S PRAYER (Tim & Glenn Spencer) 2:05

064447
14B
Seeing Nellie Home (Aunt Dinah’s Quilting Party) (James Fletcher/Francis Kyle) 2:20
WIND (Bob Nolan) 2:50
MOVE ON YOU LAZY CATTLE (Bob Nolan) 1:45
SALLY GOODIN' (Traditional) 1:30
FOLLOW THE STREAM (I Follow the Stream) (Bob Nolan) 2:15

SONS of the PIONEERS mid-June 1941, Chicago
064452
8B
WHEN WE GET OLD AND GRAY (Glenn Spencer) 2:20
TUMBLEWEED TRAIL (Bob Nolan) 2:40
I STILL DO (Bob Nolan) 2:45
NIGHT FALLS ON THE PRAIRIE (Bob Nolan/Lloyd Perryman) 1:50
WENDIN' MY WAY TO WYOMIN’ (Bob Nolan) 2:45

064453
Supplement 2
LOCH LOMOND (Traditional) 2:05
BELIEVE ME IF ALL THOSE ENDEARING YOUNG CHARMS (Thomas Moore) 3:15
AULD LANG SYNE (Robert Burns) 1:20
I'LL TAKE YOU HOME AGAIN, KATHLEEN (Thomas P. Westendorf) 2:00
KELLY WALTZ (Hugh Farr) 2:10

SONS of the PIONEERS late June 1941, Chicago
064456
Supplement 3
WHEN A COWBOY STARTS TO COURTIN' (Tim Spencer) 2:10
JUANITA (Caroline Norton) 2:40
LI'L LIZA JANE (Traditional) 1:55
SWEET AND LOW (Alfred Lord Tennyson/Joseph Barnby) 2:40
SPANISH CAVALIER (William D. Hendrickson) 3:05

064457
Supplement 4
THE CAPITAL SHIP (Charles E. Carryl) 2:40
DARLING NELLIE GRAY (Benjamin Russell Hanby) 2:33
IN THE GLOAMING (Annie Fortesque Harrison/Meta Orred) 2:45
WHEN YOU AND I WERE YOUNG MAGGIE (James Austin Butterfield/George W. Johnson) 3:05
ALL AT ONCE (Lloyd Perryman) 1:30

SONS of the PIONEERS late June 1941, Chicago
064468
Supplement 5
THE GYPSY'S WARNING (Henry A. Goard) 2:10
WONDER VALLEY (Fred Howard/Nat Vincent) 2:35
WHERE IS MY WANDERING BOY TONIGHT (Rev. Robert Lowry) 2:15
THE LITTLE ROSEWOOD CASKET (Traditional) 3:15
SOLDIER'S JOY (Traditional) 1:20

064469
Supplement 6
GENTLE NELLIE MOORE (Gentle Nettie Moore) 2:50
SONG OF THE PRAIRIE (Bob Nolan) 2:30
BRING YOUR ROSES TO HER NOW (John Ennis/Lem Giles/Freddie Large) 3:55
WE SAT BENEATH THE MAPLE ON THE HILL (Gussie L. Davis) 2:45
BON - TON SCHOTTISCHE (Hugh & Karl Farr) 1:00

064470
Supplement 7
THE ROSE OF TRALEE (Charles W. Glover/C. Mordaunt Spencer)
MY PRETTY QUADROON (Mary Dodge/Fred Howard/Nat Vincent)
ROCK ME TO SLEEP IN MY ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOME (Fred Howard/Nat Vincent/Billy Hill/William Raskin)
UNDER THE WILLOW SHE'S SLEEPING (Stephen Foster)
STILL WATER POOL (Bob Nolan)
FRANKIE AND JOHNNIE (Traditional)

SONS of the PIONEERS late June 1941, Chicago
064485
Supplement 8
SILVER THREADS AMONG THE GOLD (Hart Pease Danks/Eben E. Rexford)
HARD TIMES COME AGAIN NO MORE (Stephen Foster)
WITH SOMEONE LIKE YOU (Glenn Spencer)
"A" RAG (Hugh & Karl Farr)
FIRE ALARM BLUES (Hugh & Karl Farr)
TOM AND JERRY (Trad.)

Sons of the Pioneers' Supplement to Symphonies of the Sage. Orthacoustic Radio Recording. 14 March 1944. Transcription Disc TR-854

Side One: Supplement Three.

Side 1:1. "When a Cowboy Starts to Courtin'," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 1:2. "Juanita," (Caroline Norton) Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 1:3. "Li'l Liza Jane," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 1:4. "Sweet and Low," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 1:5. "Spanish Cavalier," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side Two: Supplement Four.

Side 2:1. "The Capital Ship," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 2:2. "Darling Nellie Gray," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 2:3. "In the Gloaming," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 2:4. "When You and I Were Young Maggie," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 2:5. "All at Once," Sons of the Pioneers.

Sons of the Pioneers' Symphonies of the Sage. Orthacoustic Radio Recording. Program 1A-1B. 5-6 June 1944.

Transcription Disc TR-855

Side One: Program 1A. 5 June 1944.

Side 1:1. "When Payday Rolls Around," (Bob Nolan) Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 1:2. "Love Song of the Waterfall," (Bob Nolan) Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 1:3. "Jim Jam Jiggin' Jive," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 1:4. "Beautiful Dreamer," (Stephen Foster) Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 1:5. "Yippi Yi, Yippi Yo," (Glenn Spencer) Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 1:6. "Chant of the Wanderer," (Bob Nolan) Sons of the Pioneers.

Side Two: Program 1B. 6 June 1944.

Side 2:1. "Sagebrush Symphony," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 2:2. "Cottage in the Clouds," (Bob Nolan/Lloyd Perryman) Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 2:3. "Swingin' the Bow," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 2:4. "Get Along Pinto Pony," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 2:5. "The West is My Soul," (Bob Nolan) Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 2:6. "The Home Corral," Sons of the Pioneers.

Sons of the Pioneers' Symphonies of the Sage. Orthacoustic Radio Recording. Program 5A-5B. June 1944. Transcription Disc TR-856

Side One: Program 5A. June 1944.

Side 1:1. "Now or Never," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 1:2. "Hoppin' High," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 1:3. "Heart to Heart," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 1:4. "I Said Goodbye," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 1:5. "Farr Into the Night," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 1:6. "Dreamy Reverie," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side Two: Program 5B. June 1944.

Side 2:1. "Sunset on the Trail," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 2:2. "Hangin' Blues," (Bob Nolan) Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 2:3. "Whistle and Wait for Katie," (Michael Nolan)Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 2:4. "Cow Across the Road," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 2:5. "It's a Cowboy's Life for Me," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 2:6. "Rocky Roads," (Bob Nolan) Sons of the Pioneers.

Sons of the Pioneers' Symphonies of the Sage. Orthacoustic Radio Recording. Program 7A-7B. June 1944. Transcription Disc TR-857

Side One: Program 7A. June 1944.

Side 1:1. "Blue Prairie," (Tim Spencer/Bob Nolan) Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 1:2. "Hold That Critter Down," (Bob Nolan) Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 1:3. "Golden Wedding Waltz," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 1:4. "Indian Scout," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 1:5. "Starlightin' Time in Texas," (Bob Nolan) Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 1:6. "Memories in Blue," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side Two: Program 7B. June 1944.

Side 2:1. "Grab Your Saddle Horn and Blow," (Bob Nolan) Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 2:2. "I Belong to the Range," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 2:3. "The Howlin' Pup," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 2:4. "Moonlight on the Trail," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 2:5. "When the Prairie Sun Climbs Out of the Hay," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 2:6. "Bluin' the Blues," Sons of the Pioneers.

Sons of the Pioneers' Symphonies of the Sage. Orthacoustic Radio Recording. Program 11A-11B. June 1944. Transcription Disc TR-858

Side One: Program 11A. June 1944.

Side 1:1. "Jubilation Jamboree," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 1:2. "Over the Santa Fe Trail," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 1:3. "Long, Long Ago," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 1:4. "Blue Bonnet Girl," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 1:5. "Send Him Home to Me," (Bob Nolan) Sons of the Pioneers.

Side Two: Program 11B. June 1944.

Side 2:1. "Great Big Taters in the Sandy Land," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 2:2. "I Wonder If She Waits for Me Tonight," (Bob Nolan) Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 2:3. "By the Lakes of Pontchartrain," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 2:4. "At the Old Barn Dance," Sons of the Pioneers.

Side 2:5. "The Biscuit Blues," (Bob Nolan) Sons of the Pioneers.