John Fullerton

Lead & Harmony vocals / rhythm guitar / Band historian

John Fullerton is the band’s baritone singer, rhythm guitar player, and expert historian. When John was seven years old his grandmother took him to see the Sons of the Pioneers and also introduced him to their 1959 RCA “Cool Water” album. Right then and there John decided to make Western music his life's career, and in particular he developed a passion for the Sons of the Pioneers’ music and history that continues to this day. He began by learning all the vocal and instrumental parts to every Pioneers song he could find, and he has never stopped learning. Today John is known as the ‘Walking Pioneer Encyclopedia.’ Name a Sons of the Pioneers song and he can tell you how it was arranged and who sang which part each time it was recorded. John has also assembled a widely recognized collection of Sons of the Pioneers memorabilia. Joining the band was a dream come true. John says, “I’ve spent my entire life preparing for this opportunity to join the Pioneers.”

John has been performing professionally since 1994 and has appeared with a number of western acts, including Roy Rogers Jr. and the High Riders, Three Trails West, Miss Devon & the Outlaw, and Riders in the Sky. John’s own western band has performed for years in various Branson venues. In addition to rhythm guitar he is an accomplished mandolin and bass player.

John comes from a long family background in the horse and cattle business and is distantly related to cowboy legends Rex Allen and Tex Ritter.