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In 1939, the
Sons of the Pioneers began a one-page
mimeographed fan publication called "Prairie Prattler" which they
quickly expanded to
eight pages and renamed "Tumbleweed Topics", a name chosen by one of their fans. Each of
the men - plus Roy Rogers - had his own column and fans could keep track
of the activities of the popular group. The fanzine was humorously and simply written, appealing to younger fans as well as the adults. Some of it was pure invention but Hugh
Farr's column was informative, detailing schedules and describing the
actual movie-making part of their lives. Free photographs were offered and their songbooks were
advertised.
Their intention was to publish monthly but it was
impossible to keep to that schedule due to their own full slate of performances
on stage, radio and film. Number 16 may be the last issue of "Tumbleweed
Topics". In 1943, the Pioneers (through their fans, "The Pioneer Pals-Stetson
Gals", led by Martha Retsch and Virginia Gallick) began a one-page mimeographed
fan publication called "Prairie Prattler". Martha and Virginia continued this
publication until 1946.
Calin
Coburn and John Fullerton have scanned their own personal copies of "Tumbleweed
Topics" and
we have also created print versions for your records. Unfortunately, we do not have
Number 9 which may be the final issue.
Click on the picture of
the issue you'd like to read. The print version buttons are at the bottom of the
page.
Tumbleweed Topics Vol. 1, No. 8, June, 1940
Tumbleweed Topics Vol. 1, No. 10, 1941
Tumbleweed Topics Vol. 1, No.
11, 1941
Tumbleweed Topics Vol. 1, No. 12, June, 1941
Tumbleweed Topics Vol. 1, No. 13, December, 1941
Tumbleweed Topics Vol. 2, No. 14, January, 1942
Tumbleweed Topics Vol. 2, No. 15, September, 1942.
Tumbleweed Topics Vol. 2, No. 16, November, 1942.
PRINT VERSIONS
The print versions were created with Microsoft Word. Click
issue number and wait until the document opens fully. Print.

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