Ken Carson; Cowboy Singer With the Sons of the Pioneers

Ken Carson, 79, cowboy singer with the Sons of the Pioneers. He joined the group in 1942 after its founding member, Roy Rogers, left to make Western films. The tenor remembered for the phrase “cool, clear water,” Carson sang on “Cool Water” and “Tumbling Tumbleweeds,” the group’s two most famous records. Also a musician, Carson appeared in 22 of Rogers’ movies as a member of the musical group that backed up Rogers when he sang. Born in Coalgate, Okla., Carson moved to California as a child. On Thursday in Delray Beach, Fla., of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.