The Prescott Playboys--Western Swing: The Band

Fred Spears-Bass/Band Leader

In 2001 Fred decided to get back into playing country music after not picking up a guitar in about 30 years. After jamming around town for about 6 months he came up with the idea of doing a Tribute to Bob Wills CD. He talked
to Ken Heide on rhythm, Warren Davis on

Steel guitar, Leroy Simms on Fiddle, Larry McCord on lead Guitar, Mason Cleveland on Bass, Roger Thompson on Drums. The CD turned out great and that was the start of the Prescott Playboys. Fred started playing the electric bass after Mason Cleveland left the group.

Fred says this has been an enjoyable experience being able to entertain people and have fun at the same time. He says that they play mostly around the Prescott area except for a few times to Texas, Mesa and Tucson.

Ken Heide-Guitar

As the oldest member of a five-piece Country Western dance band in the 1950’s Ken took a “hiatus” when the lead guitarist was drafted and two other members left to attend collage. This lasted 30 years while family responsibilities became a more important part of Ken’s life.

After retiring, Ken took his guitar out of the closet and returned to the path he loves to travel and that is playing good Country/Western Swing Music. Ken is an original member of the Prescott Playboys.

Jerry Johnson-Guitar

Jerry Johnson started his career with ”The New Establishment” Colgems recording group. The band also toured with Fess Parker, Michael Landon and Doug McClure. While in the Army, he toured Vietnam with his own Special Services 5-piece rock band.

After the Army, he spent 5 years on the Navada Casino circuit with “The Judy Bell Show”. In 1977 he formed “Tapestry”, a 4-piece group who traveled the Holiday Inn, Ramada Inn, and Red Lion circuit. This group added 2 players and became “The Midnight Riders”, Academy of Country Music’s Band of the year (non-touring for 1979.

Jerry free-lanced until 1992 when he began a 6 year stint as “Wild Bill” at the Buena Park, CA, dinner show of the same name. He called it quits in 2000 until meeting the Prescott Playboys in 2007

Ray Gardner-Fiddle

Ray Gardner’s musical career started when he was about 12 years old. He ask his dad if he could play his fiddle and his dad said, “son help yourself, but don’t expect me to listen to you”. But he helped him for the rest of his life. His Ma was a very fine piano player.

Ray was a fiddler for “Bob Sweren and the Sons of the Rockies” at Fort Collins, CO. for many years. He played for “Shoedens Playboys” in Mesa, AZ for many years. He Played at Reata Pass in Humboldt, AZ for 10 years. He was state Champion Fiddler for Colorado and Arizona at different years. For the last few years he has played the fiddle for the Prescott Playboys

Bobby Parks-Drums

Bobby began his drum career about fifty years ago. He had the joy of setting in with Duke Ellington & Armon Jamar and played a little jazz. He hooked up with the Four Jacks, a Country group and rubbed elbows with some of the greats.

Then he moved to Calif. and got a job playing with a few country bands. He played at Knots berry Farm with Roy Clark and at Disneyland he got to sit in with Ray Stevens. He played after hours & had the privilege of backing many stars. He played for Roger Miller while he went on tour. During the 70's & 80's he played drums with Ray Gardner at Reata Pass in Humdbolt, AZ