(Festus from Gunsmoke could SING!) "Breathless Shep Fields Ken Curtis Vocal"

YouTube ^ | 7/21/09 | YouTube

[Do Not Make Fun Of His Ears]

VIDEO HERE

[Do Not Make Fun Of His Ears]

Since the great James Arness died, I thought some fun trivia was in order.

Ken Curtis (Festus) was actually a great singer, who was hired by Tommy Dorsey to replace Frank Sinatra. But when Sinatra didn't leave, Curtis' contract was sold to Big Band leader Shep Fields.

Festus could SING!

[FrankR]

Ken Curtis was a member of the “Sons of the Pioneers” for a time as well.

[Do Not Make Fun Of His Ears]

Like Jim Nabors, he’s not remembered for what is thought of as his “true talent” but as a TV character.

Although both were favorite characters of mine.

[traderrob6]

Saw him in “The Searchers” yesterday, hard to believe it’s him.

Actually he was in several movies with John Wayne.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v517yhi3yms

[Do Not Make Fun Of His Ears]

I’ve never seen that movie, but it’s on my “bucket list.”

[greene66]

Heck, Ken Curtis even ‘starred’ in a series of little musical/western b-films for Columbia in the mid-1940s, alongside the Hoosier Hot Shots.

[blam]

Terry Bradshaw: I'm So Lonesome I could Cry

[stormer]

He was John Ford's son-in-law, so he was one of the ensemble in many of Ford's films. Ben Johnson, Harry Carry, Ward Bonds, etc. would probably be a pretty fun crowd to work with. I always like him as Festus, and that made it all the more fun when you saw him in old films in a "straight" role...

[rellimpank]

—in my name drop of the day, he was also my late father-in-law’s grade school classmate-—

[prisoner6]

Well, now you went and did it. I knew about Ken's singing and acting roles other than in Gunsmoke. Then I decided to check his bio, There was tons of stuff I knew about but had forgotten!

The foremost was that he co-starred in one of my fav shows when I was growing up..."RIPCORD." Also starring in that was Larry Pennell who played Dash Riprock in the Beverly Hillbillies!

Wife is sick of me trying to tell her about Ripcord, Whirlybirds and Stagecoach. All three were must sees for a 10 year old, LOL!

Another bit I found was that Ken's dad was a sheriff in Colorado.

[Tupelo]

“Sons of the Pioneers” especially the original “Pioneer Trio”.
My all time favorite vocal group. And instrumental group. And songwriter, Bob Nolan.

[Jack The Knife]

[chooseascreennamepat]

“He was John Ford’s son-in-law, so he was one of the ensemble in many of Ford’s films. Ben Johnson, Harry Carry, Ward Bonds, etc. would probably be a pretty fun crowd to work with. I always like him as Festus, and that made it all the more fun when you saw him in old films in a “straight” role...”

I was always a big fan of Ben Johnson. My wife came home from work one evening and said that he had been in her office to update his will and she witnessed it. Since I was only 3 blocks away in my office, she COULD have called me but Noooooo...

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

Here's another one...

Ken Curtis "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" Festus Country

[stormer]

I like Ben Johnson a lot too and was glad to see him get an Oscar for Last Picture Show. The best part about him was watching him ride in the old westerns - the guy was a bona fide cowboy and knew what he was doing on a horse; it really showed...

[brityank]

Two guys that had amazing voices - Gomer Pyle and Festus.

Found this one of Festus doing Tumbling Tumbleweeds solo in Germany.