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The Desert Sons
Link to The Desert Sons Web Site
The Desert Sons are: 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.
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 Desert Sons performing at the Arizona Folklore Preserve in 2007 and 2008 are: John ("Buck") Ryberg of Tucson, guitar and lead vocalist, Benny Young of Tucson, fiddle, Slim Tighe of Bisbee, bass, and Skelly Boyd of Safford, lead guitar.
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. In the 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. 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. Home Map, Directions, Information Performance Calendar Contact Us Reservations Dolan Ellis Guest Artists Meetings, Retreats & Private Parties Photo Gallery Ramsey Canyon Folklore Preserve In The News Newsletter Links About Us University of Arizona South
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Since
1989 The Desert Sons have been performing the traditional and contemporary
music of the American West. Their unique three- and four-part 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. 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.
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.
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.
