Sons Of The San Joaquin
Western Music & Cowboy Songs

Do you remember what it was like when you pulled on that brand new pair of custom-made Paul Bond boots that you'd saved for years to afford? Well, that is how it feels to listen to this latest album from Sons of the San Joaquin (SOSJ).
This is the album their dedicated fans have been waiting for, the one containing primarily original SOSJ music. Their previous albums established them as a fine western harmony group, singing the great songs of the 30s, 40s, and 50s which were made famous, mostly, by the Sons of the Pioneers.
The group is composed of members of the Hannah family - brothers Jack and Joe and Joe's son, Lon - from the San Joaquin Valley of California. For many years, they sang mostly for themselves, at family gatherings, church affairs, and community get-togethers.
In the late 80s, they tested their wings a bit, performing at Elko and at the Western Music Association Festival in Tucson, Arizona. That let the cat out of the bag. These fellows were far to good to have them simply singing to each other. Today they are considered by many to be the vary top western harmony group.
Jack Hannah is an incredible song writer. So good, in fact, that these original songs, along with a couple dozen others the group has yet to record, will likely become the classic western songs of tomorrow, just as the songs of Bob Nolan and Tim Spencer and Stan Jones are for cowboy singers today.
When Jack gets inspired, he just writes the song in his head, music and words coming to him all at once. Jack just files it away in his head, already memorized, until he has time to record it or teach it to someone else. He's a unique talent, and as more people become exposed to his music, he will become much more greatly appreciated for his abilities.
"From Whence Came The Cowboy" is the title cut on this collection. Originally a long poem that Jack Hannah wrote to help educate school children, it capsulizes the history of the cowboy, paying tribute to men on horseback from several eras and races. As the song says, "No matter his color, his glory's the same."
Another wonderful song is "I've Paid My Dues," listing many features of the outdoor lifestyle and concludes, "That's Why I Never Want To Be Anything But A Cowboy."
There are two ballads on this album which would also have to be called cowboy love songs. "Is it because" says "There's a treasure waitin' at the rainbow's end, I'm told. I don't need that rainbow now, I've found the gold." And "Prairie Girl" is a loving tribute to the woman who is making a home for her working cowboy husband.
Jack has collaborated with a couple cowboy poets on two songs - "Colorado Home," which is performed beautifully by Lon Hannah, has Darrell Arnold as the lyricist, and Baxter Black contributed his considerable talents to "Out Where The Cowboys Rope and Ride."
The song that perhaps tells the most about the Hannah's is "Night Herding Song." They sing this one a capella, proving what their fans already know; these guys make such fine music with their own melodious voices, that they really don't need instrumental accompaniment at all. AWESOME!!!
Joe Hannah gets to show off his operatic singing voice on "Wyoming On My Mind," an exceptional western song written by country music star Charlie Daniels. Listening to this one is close to being a religious experience.
The very knowledgeable Joey Miskulin, who backs the group up on accordion, is the producer of this exceptional effort, and he was supported by musicians Rich O'Brien, Ray Appleton, Craig Nelson, Rob Hajacos, and Mark Casstevens. And singer Mollie O'Brien provided some supporting vocals on "Prairie Girl."
Mention should also be made of engineer Gary Paczosa, who brought it all together in an album of rich and wonderful sound.
The best thing about this album is that Hannah's superior vocals are perfectly supported by the beautiful, but not overpowering, instrumental enhancement. This may be the top cowboy or western album of the year.