Continuing to soar in his career, Ken Curtis took center stage as the lead singer of The Sons of the Pioneers from 1949 to 1953. This esteemed group, recognized by the Country Music Hall of Fame, had previously been led by the talented Roy Rogers, Bob Nola, and other legendary cowboys. With Curtis at the helm, The Sons of the Pioneers produced chart-topping hits like “Ghost Riders in the Sky” and “Room Full of Roses.”
Throughout the 1950s, Curtis became one of Ford’s favorite actors, featuring in renowned films such as John Wayne’s “Rio Grande,” “The Searchers,” “The Wings of Eagles,” “The Quiet Man,” “How the West Was Won,” and “The Horse Soldiers.” He even shared the screen with Wayne in the timeless classic “The Alamo.”
Adding to his connection with the Ford family, Curtis married Barbara Ford, Ford’s daughter, and their union lasted from 1950 to 1964. Additionally, Curtis established his production company, which released a series of golden age sci-fi B-films, including “The Giant Gila Monster” and “The Killer Shrews.”
