Sons of the San Joaquin
The Sons of the San Joaquin sound first took shape in the Great Central Valley of California, in the shadow of the mighty Sierra Nevada's. That's where the Hannah family migrated to during the Depression, from Missouri. "There were some prominent cattle ranches there," remembers Jack, "and that's where our romance with cowboys began. Our dad became a fan of The Pioneers back in the "30's and he'd sing a lot of those songs at home. We learned our first ones from him, singing in church, and soon were in great demand in the Central California as a vocal duo.
The trio got its big break after Lon met cowboy singer Gary McMahon at a Western Music Association convention and the trio was invited to perform at the 1989 Elko, Nevada Poetry Gathering. Their appearance there caused a sensation. In the space of a weekend, they vaulted from total obscurity to sharing the main stage with Michael Martin Murphey, who immediately invited them to join him on his Cowboy Songs Album. Since then, they have appeared on the Grand Ole Opry, Austin City Limits, and Nashville Now and appear in Randy Travis' music video," Cowboy Boogie". They currently offer a "Sons With Symphony" program, which combines western music with orchestral accompaniment. A lifetime of family singing, an uncanny vocal blend and a true love of cowboy music makeany performance by the Sons of the San Joaquin a rich, unforgettable experience.