Jack Hannah is well-versed in the Cowboy Way. He’s been singing about it for the past 30 years as part of the western band The Sons of the San Joaquin. But his fascination with cowboys began long before the trio — made up of brothers Jack and Joe, and Joe’s son Lon — made its debut at a family birthday party in 1987; long before Jack became a cowboy himself. Since then, the group has traveled the world, produced more than a dozen albums and earned a spot in the pantheon of the great western music groups of all time.
But, a few years ago, it was an encounter with a cowboy whose heart is as big as a ten-gallon hat, that moved Jack to pursue another endeavor. After only a few passes around Guy Adams’ Heart of the Horse therapy ranch in the foothills east of Clovis, the Valley’s most famous singing cowboy knew he had to get involved. Offering equine therapy to children and adults with disabilities for the past six years, the non-profit ranch has helped hundreds of clients. A member of the ranch’s board of directors, Jack says he can’t put his finger on why the horses have such an positive effect on clients, but he just knows they do. He’s seen it first-hand.
The Sons’ touring days may be behind them, but they’ve still got songs left to sing. And sing they will at a fundraiser for Heart of the Horse to be held at People’s Church on May 19. See the flyer below for details on the event and how to buy tickets.
Here, Jack talks about how the Sons got together and what it’s been like playing western music around the world for 30 years; his first impressions of Guy Adams and the Heart of the Horse ranch; and why playing at the fundraiser is different than any other gig the Sons have played.
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