Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" (Roy Rogers and The Sons Of The Pioneers)

Welcome to Tuesday and Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  This is the place where the trivial meets the Triune, the singers meet the saints, and the lyrics meet the liturgy!!!  It's the time and it's the day so let's get started on our next great adventure together!  It's Tuesday!!! Yeehaw!!!


"Tumbling Tumbleweeds and Don't Fence Me In" - Roy Rogers and The Sons Of The Pioneers

80 years ago, a legendary popular Western group was born.  It included an Ohio born truck driver/fruit picker, a Canadian born yodeler, and a Safeway Grocery Warehouse worker.  Their names individually were Leonard Slye, Bob Nolan, and Tim Spencer.  You might know them better by their stage name....The Sons of The Pioneers.  In fact, you probably know Leonard Slye much better by HIS stage name of Roy Rogers. They appeared in 87 films between 1935 and 1985, including the film clip above from the movie Hollywood Canteen 1944.  "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" (originally "Tumbling Tumble Leaves") would become their trademark tune.  Their early success would pave the way for Roy Rogers to launch the singing cowboy craze of the 40's, which would later feature the likes of Gene Autry and Tex Ritter. 

There have been 41 members of the Sons of The Pioneers.  Included in this roster (1949-1953, as lead vocalist) is Ken Curtis who later became Matt Dillon's sidekick, "Festus",  in 239 episodes of the long running TV western Gunsmoke. 

The Sons Of The Pioneers continue to tour and make music today making them one of the longest recording bands in modern musical history.  They stuck to their guns and rarely changed the style of music that they played and sang...nothing at all like a tumbling tumbleweed.

Next week marks the beginning of the school year in many educational institutions across the United States.  This is an event that Christian parents should bathe in prayer.  We should pray that our student's teachers are prepared, kind, courteous, and have a passion for the education of students.  We should also pray that they have a relationship with Jesus.  This will meter the way they teach and what they teach to a certain degree.  We should also pray for those who will have influence over our students who are not educators.  Every one from the janitorial staff to the Superintendent of Schools, has the potential to direct a student's future.  This is a very large responsibility that we give to these folks and one that we must also give to God for His leadership and guidance.  Finally, we must pray for our students.  If they have been redeemed, we must pray that they will not be swayed and tempted by the enemy.  We must pray that they will remain steadfast in their faith and that they will be a shining light and example to other students.  

The apostle Paul stated this well in the 4th chapter of his letter to the church at Ephesus.  Take a moment and receive encouragement from this ancient letter as we read the entire chapter:

Ephesians 4 - Holman Christian Standard Bible/The Message Parallel

The beginning of the chapter starts out with challenging us to live out our calling in life.  What does that look like?  What or how are you called to live out your Christianity?  In verse 11, Paul begins to layout what some of those callings may look like in the church.  Then in verse 14 he tells us that we will remain steadfast, rock solid in our faith if we do the things that he lists above.  In other words, we won't let the winds of popular belief or world views cloud what we know as truth.  We won't be "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" when it gets a little windy in our world.  We won't be tossed to and fro with what is the newest thing on the horizon.  We will be equipped and firm in our convictions and profess truth as we go.  

If you are an educator, please know that you are being prayed for.  If you are a school employee, please know that you are being prayed for.  If you are the parent of a student, please know that you are being prayed for.  And as this school year starts, if you are a student, please know you are being prayed for.  If you are a Christian student, please accept this challenge to saddle up your horses, you have a great adventure ahead of you this year!

"The Great Adventure" - Steven Curtis Chapman

Serving HIM by serving You,

Randy