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Fine Wesrtern Folk story, song and humor with a little magic thrown in for fun. The Sons of the Oregon Trail have entertained many Western families and Cowboy enthusiasts all over the West. Since we have a number of recordings, our music and stories have been heard on redio and TV world wide.

Skip Bessonette has spent most of his life in the great Northwest. He was born in Medford and raised in Ashland, Oregon, but spent many summers working on his Grandfather's ranch in Washington. Skip developed his beautiful baritone voice by singing in bands starting in Junior High School and since then he has sung many kinds of music including rock, country, show tunes, sacred and western. He has performed as a single entertainer for many years to enthusiastic crowds all over the West. This singer/songwriter never fails to please audiences when singing about miners, cowboys, or just songs of our great land and the people living here. He is truly a master at relating Western Folk music of our times and days of yore. Skip can be heard regularly singing the Gospel at churches in our valley as well as leading the performances of the Sons of Oregon.

Butch Martin from farm boy to corporate exec to horse rancher. From the farm lands of the mid-west to a ranch in Wyoming, then to somewhere in the vineyard lands of Oregon Butch has learned much of people, places, horses, cattle and mules. He brings to the stage cowboy poetry from his own pen along with recitations penned by some of the masters of bygone days. Along with his poetry, Butch has produced three music albums, (Received four (4) first round grammy nominations) and has performed on many stages around the western U.S. A. and appeared locally with Skip Bessonette and The Sons of Oregon.


Rick Arens who is affectionately known as "The Rickster" has been living in Oregon most of his life. He has played the bass guitar since he was a little buckaroo having performed with Bing Crosby, Roger Miller, Bobby Gentry to name a few. Rick has been in electronic repair and sales for a number of years and now enjoys retirement and welcoming folks to the Rogue Valley. Rick is a new grandfather and this is a joyful exciting time for him and his only daughter Donna. You'll find Rick, most days, hamming it up on his ham radio and making great sounds with his "green" bass guitar. You will have an opportunity to hear Rick, when he joins his long time friend Skip, in concert with the Sons of Oregon.


Syd Ainsworth is our newest member and hails from the big island of Hawaii and Ashland, Oregon. What fun it is to have him performing with us. Syd does spend part time in his wife's home of Hawaii (we are all jealous, of course). We get him in the summer time and feel lucky! Syd is such a talent. He plays almost any instrument you can place in front of him, having been a High School music teacher until his retirement. Most of the time he plays lead guitar, synthesizer keyboard and flute. Syd is also a gifted harmony, lead singer and song writer. Welcome Syd to our concerts and recordings with the Sons of Oregon.