Ken Curtis "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" Festus Country

[countrybumpkin64]

He is doing a great job with this song

[tomcat6680]

he shall live forever

[2joebyrne]

FESTUS ... can rock the Tumbleweed song !!

[paulj0557]

So Germans like Gunsmoke and we like Klaus Wunderlich so it all evens out

[lobo81865]

Actually he had a singing career before The Sons of the Pioneers. He took Frank Sinatra's place in the Tommy Dorsey Band when Sinatra left to go solo.

[Irishsquaw1951]

WOW! I'm over 60 y/o, and this is the FIRST time I've heard Ken Curtis sing! Like Jim Nabors, you would never guess they could sing like that from their TV characters! AWESOME voice! And, I LOVE songs from the Sons of the Pioneers! Cool Water, Tumbling Tumbleweed, etc!

[label1877]

@Irishsquaw1951 Me too! I am 50, watched Gunsmoke since '66 and I NEVER knew Ken had those pipes! Awesome it is!

[AgentMelton]

Ken Curtis was such a good singer. And you'd never guess that from his appearance on Gunsmoke!

[Thedrizzle404]

hes looks like the kind of guy thatd sit down and talk with you for hours at a time

[lforbus]

@baldy194859. Wiki says he died in 1991.

[55badbob]

What a smile, obviously loved to entertain.

[haverstock1888]

Such a great singer Thomas Haverstock

[ladycharsw]

I lovede Ken Curtis, and when he played Festus I am a young senior lady Fresno I love his voiceCal

[theoxley]

My mother went to school with Ken Curtis. He had a wonderful voice

[orangehornet57]

He was in the Sons of the Pioneers. A character he played on Have Gun, Will Travel was a forerunner of Festus. In his 2nd appearance, he got cleaned up and sang.

[backalleymomma]

for a scruffy old lookn dude he has a beautiful awesome voice.

[Redskin1040]

Marshall Dillon, Marshall Dillon! D'ya no I kin sang! Bless your heart Festus.

[SouthernFriedWays]

Remember chester ?

[SouthernFriedWays]

gaw durn you mathew !

[lforbus]

Man, I miss Festus.

[baldy194859]

@lforbus  he,s not dead is he ?

[meadowmoonwillow]

one of the original son's of the pioneers

[spiff2268]

Wow. Never saw this coming.

[kwilly54]

What a tremendous and pleasant surprise . He has a wonderful voice . God Bless him .

[michaelmohrmann]

Man, I had no idea the guy could sing. I'm impressed!

[coolanddark]

This doesnt sound like Festus! Sounds more like Perry Como! Sounds good though!

[SFCHonorGuard]

His singing voice is so powerful and strong you'd think he was lip synching after hearing him all these years as high pitched corny hillbilly Festus Haggin (or Haggen) on Gunsmoke. His comedy on Gunsmoke always kept me laughing..."DONT'CHA SEE?" Cheers to you Ken, good job! Rest in peace you ol' scudder!

Thanks for sharing Coockiestv

[spectre8969]

Always liked him, but I never knew he could sing!

[Canoe571]

This man sure brought a lot of joy to a lot of people. What a legacy!

[Jimmie475]

He passed in 1991 great actor/singer gone but not forgot RIP

[birds85us00000000000]

can anybody tell me if ken is still alive ?

[BY1NO1]

Ken Curtis was also a very prolific songwriter as well as a wonderful singer.

[leeperry2009]

Love the 'echt' fire-pit.

[jlbsr1959]

he came to the LaPorte Co fair in the 1070's and he blew us away he was awesome, first he came out as Ken Curtis thenhe came out as Festus and sang wow

[MrTommyheddenstomboy]

HE HA S SUCH AN AMAZING VOICE..LOVED HIM SO MUCH..

[ronetteloverz]

Rock on Festus!!!

[MrJimmybgood]

VARY NICE SONG THANK FESTUS.

[jojo2mag]

Ken Curtis was one of The Sons Of The Pioneers. Little known fact. Loved him.

[Bently100]

I had no idea. Thank you so much for posting this. Absolutely beautiful.

[tsulawmn]

I am so surprised! This was lovely. Thank you for posting this!

[trextrextrex]

Saw him sing it in person in Memphis 1967 or 68 at the rodeo at the Mid South Fair

[mH8675309]

That voice dont sound right comin outta Festus!

[drhooky]

another Jim neighbors ! great

[wolfva]

Little known fact; he took over Frank Sinatra's place in Jimmy Dorset's band when Sinatra left. Sad that all he's known for nowadays is the cranky, goofy sidekick.

[Gigolo59]

Ken was a member of the Sons of the Pioneers in the 50's.

[LucisFerre1]

@Gigolo59 He and "doc" were both members of the Sons of the Pioneers.

[patp464]

Beautiful rendition of a great wetern ballad. Ken Curtis sings it superbly with that classic balladic tone. We think of him as the bumbling Festus but he could sing with the cool drone.

[goldenoldiesPete]

Great singer, tremendous rendition of this song. I can't understand that 14 people didn't like it.

[scotnick59]

Can anyone NOT like this heart-felt rendition of a haunting song?

[Hawkswill]

Pretty sure he never sang on Gunsmoke but he did in an early Wagon Train episode. KP

[enterprise160]

What a great voice. I'll have to rent out Gunsmoke. That man had talent!

[Hawkswill]

He was around a long time. Married the daughter of the director, John Ford and acted in many of his movies. When Ward, Major Adams on Wagon Train, died, he sang at the funeral and was a pall bearer. He developed and used his Festus accent before Gunsmoke. I miss him! KP

[jor99912]

Saw James Arness Matt Dillon face go by in the memories on TCM channel. When we're that old, not likely a Typo on mine or another part.

[BUTCHESBOY]

Beautiful

[AxeNewkill]

his singing voice is NOTHING like his speaking voice! 

[BUTCHESBOY]

@AxeNewkill Hi there...Did a little research on his singing career a couple years ago....He created the voice of "Festus" He was just doing A GUEST SHOT ON GUNSMOKE AND THEY JUST WOULDN' LET HIM GET AWAY. oops....cap lock...oh well........read a wikipedia on Ken....His real life was really western......Very humble beginnings.......He died peacefully in his sleep in California...

[rodneytherock]

Tremendous voice and Ken Curtis was also one of "The Sons Of The Pioneers".

[ladycharsw]

I loved Ken Curtis, and i wanted to meet him. he was from Clovis, Cal, and i am in Fresno. I loved Matt, and Miss Kitty, and Doc, and all the crew !

[KennethKaniffFromCT]

"Way out west, there's a fella....a fella I wanna tell ya about. A fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski..."

[DrQuest44]

Such a talented man. Awesome !

[vermonter62]

I was always a fan of Ken Curtis as an actor, but didn't know he had a great voice!

[dajones2100]

No he pasted in 91 I think....

[12342321]

is he still alive ?

[dajones2100]

Ken was a good friend of my dads....He was a great person, and a great singer....I sure miss them both...When I heard this , it about made me cry...

[bamarama13]

wow! never knew this dude could sing! rock it bro!

[Gecko7291971]

Holy crap, that's Festus from Gunsmoke

[1950boots]

His Eyes Are to close together! Great Voice!

[johngrundon]

Yeah he played in a lot of John Wayne's movies. The man has a voice!!!! He's great!!!!

[LB9997]

Oh my Gosh. I never knew ken Curtis had a voice like this! He is like Jim Nabors.

They portray these real country, almost hillbillie-like characters but when they sing they are so elegant!

[steelblue1959]

Ken Curtis was one of the Original Sons of the Pioneers and a very good fiddler.

And one of my favorite actors off of Gun Smoke, especially with Doc.

[168waco]

Ken Curtis at one time sang with the Sons of the Pioneers.

[zeak62]

What 12 could not like this voice? Just not American.

[GrigoriZhukov]

Now that right there sure was some purty singing there pardnuh.

[swb060]

Unbelievable----BEAUTIFUL-----­- Sounds like "Roy"

[1kellymccartney]

ken curtis,hiding your singin' all these years...

[drh703]

that blew me away!!!-his singing voice is nothing like his speaking voice at all-knew that he sang with the sons of the pioneers before doing Festus, but never saw him sing until now to find out which voice was his

[MegaNothin]

@drh703 Watch the John Wayne movie, "The Searchers". Ken sang a crappy song fairly straightly in that movie.

[joyceandron]

@drh703 Ken Curtis was a young vocalist during the WWII years, quite some time before he got into acting. He replaced Frank Sinatra as lead vocalist for the Tommy Dorsey band in 1941, and from 1949–1953 was the lead vocalist for The Sons of the Pioneers.Signed with Columbia Pictures in 1945; was John Ford's son-in-law.

[zottelmischel]

Thank you

[waynetube58]

Wow he was great on Gunsmoke but man he should have gone into music.

As good as or better than any of the pop / country artist of his day.

[mlseedsower]

This was my UNcle by marriage's cousin. Neva new he could sing so good. wow.

[musicfreak1967]

a very nice quiet song. Ken Curtis had a great voice. R.I.P. "Festus" from Germany.

[Hermann29559]

A sore beautiful song and music however very beautiful. Thanks for the high chest of the video. Greetingses from Germany

[debifeb]

i want them boots

[dalet6363]

wow what a Voice

[jwentzien]

I met him in person as a kid ..1968...at the Fort Madison Rodeo..I was thrilled!!!

[wilcarr1]

Good guy great actor. RIP.

[wvaray2001]

wow I thought Festus was just Festus to but man he can sing!

[boothl232]

He was in the singing group Sons Of The Pioneers long before he was Festus. He replaced Frank Sinatra in the Tommy Dorsey band. He also produced a couple of old (cheapy) movies.

Multi talented to say the least

[roaringwaterbay]

i live 20 miles west of where Ken grew up, the Bent County (Colorado) Courthouse and jail.

[spudone1000]

Shock and Awe I am amazed !!!!!! I was looking for a laugh hearing Festus sing WOW !!!!!

[MegaNanny4]

@spudone1000

Me too!!!



[MegaNanny4]

Respond to this video... 

Wow!!!

[AgentMelton]

Whoa! I knew he could sing... saw him in The Searchers as Charlie. But this is really good!

[driger888]

wow, thanks god!

[Trinity4h]

I thought Festus was Festus, and that's all he ever did. BOY WAS I EVER WRONG!!! Thanks for uploading!

[CathieSoli]

@Trinity4h Me, too.

[wayne1king]

@Trinity4h Holy Crap! sign me up to your group. He is really good & I never knew it.

[Juliaflo]

@Trinity4h I knew who he was before he starred on Gunsmoke.

And don't try to figure out my age, LOLOLOLOLOL.

Merry Christmas.

[bubbah671]

@Juliaflo ill guess your 39.were all 39.happy holidays to you and yours friend.

[TBOwi]

@Trinity4h WOW What a voice.... Big shocker.. WOW

[4957ace]

@Trinity4h if you can find it on utube... look for ...."rip cord".... he did that before gunsmoke......Great guy and what a voice..

What a life he had, the movies, singing and friends he had...........He was far more then just Festus ... but he did that really well also...

[poetlindamae]

Awesome, I had no idea Festus could sing!

[HippoAN]

@poetlindamae I think he was leadsinger in the Tommy Dorsey Band before his career as an actor began

[AuggieDogProduction]

Awesome. Didn't he start out as a B movie director? I know he was in "The Killer Shrews" but does anyone know if he also directed or perhaps produced too? I could google it but I'm lazy

[boothl232]

@AuggieDogProduction He produced The Killer Shrews and The Giant Gila Monster, which were cheaply made but I loved both of them as a kid, and every now and then I still watch them/

[dogbhae]

the dude abides 

[garperful]

My parents used to go watch the Son's of the Pioneers before they got famous and were playing in bars, got to know them pretty well apparently. The difference in Ken's voice and his acting voice reminds me of Jim Nabors when he sang and his acting voice as Guber. This is a good rendition, you did well!

[spudone1000]

@garperful  You are correct great example

[booksbenji]

He sang w/The Sons of the Pioneers!!! Pvt Tryee, get my horse!!!!

[borntobewilder9]

Gotta love Festus. If you remember b4 he became a Matt's helper on Gunsmoke, his voice was strong without the twang. Great actor and singer.

[MrAmrguy]

Thank you for your reply re: his passing

The guy was a teriffic talent. Sorry I never had a chance to see him perform in person.

[MrAmrguy]

Does anywone know if Ken Curtis is still alive? If not, do you know the circumstance of his passing?

[moviegal57]

@MrAmrguy He died of natural causes 20 years ago at the age of 74.

[ramtuff2007]

i like him he is funny as fetus

[rosekraut]

w0w!!!!

[MrAmrguy]

now this guy is fun to watch go from Festus to a great singer

[TheMrELO]

What a great character actor! He sold me with that song TOTALLY!

[stephgp1]

Grew up believing Ken Curtis was Festus. I am so pleased to see how diverse and wonderful his talent really was. Loved him in The Searchers, my favorite film! And the theme song was great.

[SmokeBojangles]

Go Get 'em Fetus!

[levi501ish]

Go Festus! Go!....Good vocals.

[scotnick59]

He actually cut a record with tommy Dorsey in the forties!

[TheClevus]

Ken missed Nolan's intro to this song, and so does Marty in his rendition. The first paragraph starts and ends "I'm a roaming cowboy...... I ride alone and sing a tune"

If any contributors on the right side panel sing it, let me know please.

[MrSouthern500]

Lots of folks dont know it, but 'Festus' was chosen to be The Vocalist for the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, when Frank Sinatra left that posistion back in the 40s.

[militarychief]

Rex Allen, Jr. was also with the Sons of the Pioneers.

[TheMarkster1957]

Amazing hearing Ken sing like this after watching him on Gunsmoke,kind of like Jim Nabors as Gomer Pyle.

[bh5606]

His stage name was changed to the easier-sounding "Ken Curtis" when he temporarily replaced Frank Sinatra in Tommy Dorsey's band in 1941.

This from his biography from imdb.

[DWhite2280]

Everyones mouth fell open when Gomer sang too!!!!!!!!!!!

[barbarajful]

Wow, i am #10 of 11 siblings, eldest born in '32', youngest born in "52". grew up with the old Westerns, so the Sons of the Pioneers are not new to me, but I never realized that Festus was one of them. Could have knocked me over with a feather. What a wonderful voice.

[armetaleluster]

great job by a really nice guy

[402maypo]

@darthnemesis1 he was a member of the Sons of the Pioneers. One of the longest lasting Country groups. Not one of the best though. :) They play in Branson, Missouri now I guess.

[MrMooncusser]

@402maypo Sons of the Pioneers is not a country group they are a western group and the all time best.

[Dragonese1]

At one time he sang with the Tommy Dorsey band.

[VA24541]

@Dragonese1 Yes he did, in fact for a short time he was the featured vocalist, replacing Frank Sinatra when he quit the band.

[bananenaffe1337]

FEST HOS MANGE!!!

[saffitex1]

he was one of the Sons Of The Pioneers after all

[mcgarrettlover105]

omg! he has such a pretty voice! :)

[GeorgeVreelandHill]

Amazing man.

A lot of talent and great to be around.

George Vreeland Hill

[BamaDan197319]

He's good, Matthew! I GAR-UN-TEE ye tahT!

[PreacherofArrakeen]

Kinda like Jim Nabors and Gomer Pyle.... lol

[GildyGury]

WITHOUT FESTUS GUNSOME d LAST 5seasons a bestg!

[panabal]

Wow! My dad met Ken Curtis on an airplain and said that he was nothing like Festis. But said he was the nicest guy he had ever met. Its also shows what a great actor he was also. Wished he was stiil around so I could have the chance to meet him. Also heard yesterday that James Arness Passed. I loved him too.

[alneal100]

Wow! What a great talent, and a wonderful human being Ken Curtis was

[MrGruug]

Ken Curtis had an excellent voice. Heard him sing in many John Wayne westerns including The Searchers and Rio Grande. He was tapped to replace Frank Sinatra when Sanatra hit it big and left his big band gig. Curtis was considered to have just as good a voice as Sinatra at the time.

With the passing of James Arness, that leaves no more of the primary cast of Gunsmoke. An era has passed. Now we only have the memories in re-runs of Matt, Kittie, Doc, Festus and Chester.

[scorpio888]

@MrGruug Well, let's not forget poor Buck Taylor!

[knowhereman1]

I reckon this ol' feller done a right nice job.

[knowhereman1]

I reckon this ol' feller done a right nice job.

[AXESMI]

I had the pleasure of meeting Ken Curtis when I was young. He was staying at the same hotel we were.

[MrMegaFredzeppelin]

This is AWESOME!!!!!

[redifreddy14]

I did fall out of my chair ...

[KuyaBillRomjue]

This is not the Festus Haggan I know! WOW!!

[catholicpriest1]

Ken Curtis did have an acting and singing career before playing Festus.

[toonzguy]

Matthew would be PROUD! LOL!

[21536987]

@toonzguy what you mean would

[toonzguy]

@21536987

true true....James Arness IS still with us! My bad!

[24Rigoletto]

Ein Toller Song,gefällt mir !

[roadrunner531]

tumleweeds orginal is better

[jobedied]

what a singing talent Ken is.

[dogvandave]

This reminds me of the first time I heard Gomer Pyle break into a song.

[RayetWolf]

He's one of the original members of the Sons of the Pioneers,, him and Roy Rogers and pat Brady.

[bodryn]

@darthnemesis1 Well, he should sing well - he was with the Sons of the Pioneers back in the day.

[auggdogrules]

surprise surprise suprise....you sure that's not jim nabors voice dubbed in with festus lip syncing

[RogerHWerner]

Ken Curtis was so good that when Frank Sinatra left The Tommy Dorsey band they replaced Sinatra with Ken Curtis. Yes he was THAT good

[Quidamkid]

I just posted one of Ken Curtis' earliest singing performances - this may be hard to believe, but Ken started out as the back-up singer with the Tommy Dorsey band. He was signed to fill in on nigts when Frank Sinatra couldn't make it. After Frank left Dorsey for good Ken expected to get the job full time, but Dorsey hired Dick Haymes to replace Frank. Ken moved on to sing with the Shep Fields All-reed Band. My video is the only known copy of that. Enjoy!

watch?v=t6R1ajFRRfk

[OldTownSpringTX]

Just learned that Ken Curtis really does have a terrific singing voice~! Reminds me of another TV star ~ Jim Nabors ~ who could really sing although he acted more than he sang~! KUDOS Ken and Thanks for posting this music video which no doubt will be enjoyed worldwide thanks to the 'digital revolution' of the internet~!

[lqandcountry47]

I am 14 years old. I have recently fallen in love with Gunsmoke... I never in my dreams would have imagined Ken Curtis singing like this seeing the way he talks in Gunsmoke as Festus...I am shocked and it makes me love the show that much more =)

[ihavesexforhappymeal]

WOW ARE YOU KIDDING!

[Emily41162]

He has a beautiful voice

[Laylagirrl]

Festus was always my favorite Gunsmoke character, and I was aware that he was a singer...but this! Wow. Wasn't expecting him to be so good. What amazing variety of talent he really has. Now I have to catch up and go watch all of the Sons of Pioneers videos and so forth ... :)

[MrNailheadBuick]

The Pioneers had a TV show in the afternoon in Los Angeles and Ken Curtis was their lead singer....that was long before Gunsmoke and his character Festus, He always had a great voice

[zaaritha]

Never heard before!