Western Classics

Western Classics

Upcoming Events

The Wranglers will be performing at the

Bumbleberry Theater

in Springdale, UT, May 9th through October 24th, Tuesday through Saturday nights. Show times will be 7:30 PM.

Ticket prices are: Adults - $15.00 Seniors (62 +) $13.50 Kids 12 and under - $8.00. Seniors 80 and over are free (when accompanied by their parents). Call for information on group rates or mid-day matinees.

Due to other commitments, the Wranglers will not be performing on the following dates:

May 27 - 31, July 29 - 31 and August 16 - 23. For more information, call Russ @ (435) 879-0474 or (435) 632-7654 (cell).

Sometimes a recording session is more work than it is fun. However, this recording, singing all of our favorite Western Classics, was more fun than it was work.

Whether it was just observing Layne Benson's amazing talent on the guitar, or witnessing the great rendition of "The Auctioneer" by 'Mulee' Pete McMillan, or listening to the great tenor voice of Steve Downs, (especially his solo on "Lone Prairie") or welcoming the great fiddling by Seth Weil, to our group, this recording has truly been a pleasure to be a part of.

But there's more. What a privilege it is to have a special guest who has performed in the past with the likes of the "Spade Cooley Band" and "Tex Williams' Western Caravan" away back in the 1940's, sit in and do a few songs with you. Spade had a singing trio in his band called "Okie, Arkie and Tex" (Smokey Rogers, Dean Eacker and Tex Williams). They were the singers on "Detour" (1945) which became a big hit for the band. We are honored to have had Dean Eacker, 86 yours young, join us on the last 4 songs of this recording, one of the songs being "Detour". Since his part of the recording session with us was done in late 2002, that means he recorded the same song some 57 years apart! (Did you hear that, Mr. Ripley?) He sings the same lead vocal in the trio as he did back in 1945 (son Russ sings the solo verses that Tex sang so superbly on the original recoding, and Steve Downs handles the tenor part sung by Smokey Rogers). Dean also sings the solos on "Red River Valley" and "Ridin' Home", and lets us all know that he can still play the fiddle, as he and Layne team up to do a great version of "Sweet Georgia Brown". He also does the background fiddling on "Red River Valley" and "Detour".

No, this recording session hasn't seemed like work at all. And by the way, another reason that I, in particular, am so happy to have Dean Eacker on this recording with us, is that he happens to be my dad. That makes me pretty happy too.

Russ Eacker, Bar G Wranglers

For bookings or for more information, contact the Wranglers via e-mail: russ@bargwranglers.com,

or please call (435) 879-0474 or (435) 632-7654 (cellular).

Revised: April 01, 2008