Singer, songwriter, actor and poet, Bob Nolan was instrumental in creating "Western" music, a uniquely North American art form. Cool Water and Tumbling Tumbleweeds are two of his best-known songs but they are only the tip of the iceberg. Many of his songs were not influenced by European Folk as were the "Cowboy" songs. They were entirely original, often pure poetry set to unusual melodies. An admirer once told Bob that he painted the west and his brush was music.

The new sound caught the imagination of the public. Contemporary musicians began to imitate, western movies picked it up and the genre was popular for thirty years.

This website introduces over 150 of Bob Nolan's songs. You can also sing along with the Sons of the Pioneers and others while you read the lyrics.

The site also opens a very small window into the life of this private man by using slide shows, video clips from his films and hundreds of photos from his own personal collection. Learn more about his famous brother, Earl Nolan.

His friends and co-workers recall Bob Nolan in "Recollections". Read what his fans say about him in "Reflections".

Listen to Bob's solos plus some duets in Spanish with Ken Carson.

Any and all copyright laws apply. This site is provided for your private study or reference only. Thank you.