I read with keen interest Tom Wilmes's August/September article on The Sons of the Pioneers. However, I was disappointed to see no mention of my friend Rusty Richards, who sang on and off with the Pioneers for over 20 years.

Rusty was honored as a 2004 inductee into the Western Music Association Hall of Fame and is a true living legend. He fondly recalls and tells tales of his friendship with Bob Nolen, Lloyd Perryman and the others. He joined the group shortly after Ken Curtis, who was mentioned in your article.

At this year's Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival, Jack Hannah of the Sons of the San Joaquin, Don Edwards and other performers rightly acknowledged Rusty as an authentic bronc buster and a true Pioneer of western music. I really wish that American Cowboy had done the same.