Riders in the Sky (band)

Riders in the Sky
Riders in the Sky appearing at the Ponca Theatre in Ponca City, Oklahoma on September 29, 2007 at a concert commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Gene Autry. From left to right are Joey the Cow Polka King, Woody Paul, Ranger Doug and Too Slim.
Background information
Origin	Nashville, TN
Genres	Western swing, Children's music, Country
Years active	1977–present
Labels	Rounder, MCA, CBS, Epic, Disney, Rykodisc
Website	www.ridersinthesky.com
Members	Douglas B. Green Paul Chrisman Fred LaBour Joey Miskulin

Riders in the Sky is an American Western music and comedy group which began performing in 1977.^[1]
Their style also appeals to children, and they are sometimes considered a children's band. They have won two Grammy Awards and have written and performed music for major motion pictures, including "Woody's Roundup" from Toy Story 2 and Pixar's short film, For the Birds.

Contents

• 
  1 History
  
  
  
  • 
    1.1 Early Years (1977–1979)
    
  
  
  • 
    1.2 Rise In Popularity (1980–1989)
    
    
    
    • 
      1.2.1 Induction Into The Grand Ole Opry (1982)
      
    
    
    • 
      1.2.2 Tumbleweed Theater (1983–1988)
      
    
    
    • 
      1.2.3 Sweet Dreams (1985)
      
    
    
    • 
      1.2.4 Riders Radio Theater (1988–1995)
      
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • 
    1.3 1990–Present
    
    
    
    • 
      1.3.1 CBS Children's Show (1991)
      
    
    
    • 
      1.3.2 Toy Story 2 And Grammys (1998–2002)
      
    
    
    • 
      1.3.3 In Animated Form (2003–2015)
      
    
    
    • 
      1.3.4 YellaWood Spokesmen (2009)
      
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  


• 
  2 Members
  
  
  
  • 
    2.1 Current
    
  
  
  • 
    2.2 Former
    
  
  
  
  


• 
  3 Awards
  


• 
  4 Discography
  


• 
  5 Notable Filmography
  


• 
  6 Books
  


• 
  7 References
  


• 
  8 External links
  

History

Early Years (1977–1979)

The Riders first performed on November 11, 1977 at Herr Harry's Franks and Steins in Nashville, TN. For this first performance, the Riders consisted of Deputy Doug (Douglas B. Green), Windy Bill Collins, and Fred LaBour. Happy with the crowds reaction, the Riders performed for the second time at Herr Harry's the next evening. Between the second and third performances, the band still didn't have a name, but that changed in December 1977, when Fred LaBour found a copy of The Sons of The Pioneers album: Riders In The Sky. When LaBour saw the album, he immediately called Green and told him that Riders In The Sky should be the band's name. Green agreed and from their third performance on, they were officially billed as Riders In The Sky. In 1978, Bill Collins left the Riders shortly after "Tumbleweed Tommy" Goldsmith joined. Shortly after Collins left, "Woody Paul" Chrisman also joined the band. In mid-1979, Tommy Goldsmith left the Riders shortly before the recording of their first album, which would become Three on The Trail, though Goldsmith would perform on the album, but not as a member of the Riders.

Rise In Popularity (1980–1989)

Induction Into The Grand Ole Opry (1982)

In 1982, Doug Green wrote a letter to then Opry manager Hal Durham telling him the Riders would like to join. Durham responded and said western music was under-represented in the Opry, and it wouldn't conflict with the other materials and performances already in the Opry. On June 19, 1982, the Riders were officially inducted into the Opry. Prior to being inducted, the Riders had performed twenty six times on the Opry stage.

Tumbleweed Theater (1983–1988)

Main article: Tumbleweed Theater

In late 1982, the Riders were approached by Steve Arwood and Randy Hale to host a television show on The Nashville Network (which had not begun broadcasting yet) called Tumbleweed Theater. The premise of the show was that their 90-minute program would show heavily edited public domain "B-Westerns" of the 1930s and 40s with Riders In The Sky performing skits and songs before, in between, and after the films. After screening the movie that would be featured in the episode, Arwood and Fred LaBour wrote the sketches that played between the films, with many of the skits carrying over to the Riders' live shows and albums. Tumbleweed Theater premiered March 7, 1983, the same day TNN began broadcasting and continued for five seasons overall, the last two consisting of repackaged skits and songs.

Sweet Dreams (1985)

In late 1983, the Riders made their Hollywood debut when the trio landed parts in Sweet Dreams, a biographical film about the life of Patsy Cline. The Riders played The Jordanaires, although in the film they are never mentioned by name.

Riders Radio Theater (1988–1995)

Main article: Riders Radio Theater

Beginning in 1988, Riders In The Sky were the stars of Riders Radio Theater, a weekly radio show written by Fred LaBour and Steve Arwood (now going by the stagename Texas Bix Bender) that was essentially the Tumbleweed Theater television show minus the "B-Western" films. The half-hour show was taped at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville, but later moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. The weekly show was canceled in 1995, but later came back as occasional specials beginning in 1998.

1990–Present

CBS Children's Show (1991)

Main article: Riders in the Sky (1991 TV series)

In 1990, CBS approached the Riders to do a Saturday morning television show that would later be described as "Pee-Wee's Playhouse meets the wild west". Only airing for one season (a total of 13 episodes) due to low ratings and weekly schedule changes, the show was written by George McGrath instead of the Riders themselves. Fred LaBour reflected on the show, saying "Everything we've had a hand in writing had been a success, we didn't have a hand in that, and it wasn't." The show premiered on September 14, 1991 as Riders In The Sky (although it has also been referred to as Saturday Mornings With Riders In The Sky).

Toy Story 2 And Grammys (1998–2002)

In 1998, Ash Brannon recommended to Disney and Pixar executives that Riders In The Sky be the performers of "Woody's Round-Up" for their upcoming film Toy Story 2. The executives were so impressed with the Riders' performance, they had the Riders create a tie-in album around the characters of Toy Story 2 called Woody's Roundup: A Rootin' Tootin' Collection of Woody's Favorite Songs. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Album for Children at the Grammy Awards of 2001.

After the success of the Woody's Round-Up album, the Riders were called back into Pixar in 2002 to do another tie-in album, except based on Pixar's latest film: Monsters Inc. The album, titled Monsters, Inc. Scream Factory Favorites, won the Riders a second Grammy Award for Best Musical Album for Children at the Grammy Awards of 2003.

In Animated Form (2003–2015)

The Riders made their animated debut in 2003, in the Warner Bros. animated series Duck Dodgers, where they played a robot band modeled after themselves. Their second animated appearance was in Disney's direct-to-DVD animated adventure children's film titled Stanley's Dinosaur Round-Up. Their most recent animated role was in the Kickstarter-funded film Cartoon Cowboys by WonderVista Studios. Cartoon Cowboys borrows heavily from Riders Radio Theater, including characters from the show and the Riders having the same personalities as their radio counterparts.

YellaWood Spokesmen (2009)

The Riders appeared as musical spokesmen in a series of YellaWood commercials, which re-united the Riders with Steve Arwood (once again playing Texas Bix Bender) and featured a set similar to the one seen on Tumbleweed Theater (complete with a blue Studebaker pickup truck and the Riders performing on a Bunkhouse porch). The Riders also performed the theme song for YellaWood's The Adventures of Yella Fella and make cameos in the first episodes of seasons one and two.

Members

Current

• Ranger Doug (Douglas B. Green) – Guitar, Vocals (Since 1977)


• Too Slim (Fred LaBour) – Bass, Vocals (Since 1977)


• Woody Paul (Paul Chrisman) – Fiddle, Vocals (Since 1978)


• Joey The Cow-Polka King (Joey Miskulin) – Accordion, Vocals (Started performing with the Riders in 1988, but didn't become an official member until early 1990s)

Former

• Windy Bill (William "Bill" Collins) – Guitar, Vocals (1977–1978)


• Tumbleweed Tommy (Thomas Goldsmith) Guitar, Vocals (1978–1979)

Awards

Ranger Doug (Douglas B. Green) performs at the Poncan Theatre in Ponca City, Oklahoma on November 7, 2008

Woody Paul (Paul Woodrow Chrisman)

Too Slim (Fred LaBour)

Joey the Cowpolka King (Joey Miskulin)

Riders in the Sky were named Western Music Group of the Year during the Academy of Western Artists 2006 Will Rogers Awards.

• 
  Cowboy Jubilee
  
  
  
  • This CD was featured on The New York Times' Best Ten List for 1982.
  
  
  • Best Independent Country Album of the Year
  
  
  
  


• 
  Saddle Pals
  
  • Best Independent Children's Album of the Year
  
  


• 
  Always Drink Upstream from the Herd
  
  • 1995 Cowboy Hall of Fame Wrangler Award for Outstanding Western Recording!
  
  


• 
  Woody's Roundup: A Rootin' Tootin' Collection of Woody's Favorite Songs
  
  • 2001 Grammy Award Winner: "Best Musical Album For Children"
  
  


• 
  Monsters, Inc. Scream Factory Favorites
  
  • 2003 Grammy Award Winner: "Best Musical Album For Children"
  
  

Discography

Title	Type	Release date	Label
Three on the Trail	studio	1979	Rounder Records
Cowboy Jubilee	studio	1981	Rounder Records
Prairie Serenade	studio	1982	Rounder Records
Weeds & Water	studio	1983	Rounder Records
Riders in the Sky, Live	live	1984	Rounder Records
New Trails	studio	1986	Rounder Records
Saddle Pals	studio	1987	Rounder Records
Best of the West (album)	best of	1987	Rounder Records
Best of the West Rides Again	best of	October 25, 1990	Rounder Records
The Cowboy Way (album)	live	1987	MCA
Riders Radio Theater (album)	studio	June 27, 1988	MCA
Riders go Commercial	studio	June 19, 1989	MCA
Horse Opera	studio	1990	MCA
Harmony Ranch	studio	1991	CBS
Merry Christmas from Harmony Ranch	studio	1992	CBS
Saturday Morning with Riders	best of	1992	MCA
Cowboys in Love	studio	1994	Epic Records
Always Drink Upstream from the Herd	studio	October 31, 1995	Rounder Records
Cowboy Songs	best of	20 August 1996	Rounder Records
Public Cowboy #1: The Music of Gene Autry	tribute	October 20, 1996	Rounder Records
Yodel the Cowboy Way	best of	1998	Rounder Records
Great Big Western Howdy!	studio	July 14, 1998	Rounder Records
Christmas the Cowboy Way	studio	October 5, 1999	Rounder Records
Woody's Roundup: A Rootin' Tootin' Collection of Woody's Favorite Songs	studio	August 29, 2000	Disney
A Pair of Kings	studio	February 19, 2002	Oh Boy Records
Ridin' the Tweetsie Railroad	studio	2002	Self Released
Monsters, Inc. Scream Factory Favorites	studio	August 27, 2002	Disney
Silver Jubilee	studio	2003	Acoustic Disc
Riders in the Sky Present: Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier	studio	August 3, 2004	Rounder Records
Riders in the Sky Live from the Golden Age of Riders Radio Theater	studio	2006	Riders Radio Records
Riders in the Sky "Lassoed Live" at the Schermerhorn with the Nashville Symphony	live	2009	Nashville Symphony
The Land Beyond The Sun	studio	2011	Riders Radio Records
America’s Favorite Cowboy Songs	studio	2012	Cracker Barrel
Home On The Range	studio	2013	Riders Radio Records

Notable Filmography

Year	Film	Role	Notes
1982	Twilight Theater	Guest Performers	Performer: "That's How The Yodel Was Born" Miscredited as: "The Rider's In The Sky"
1983–1988	Tumbleweed Theater	Themselves/Various Characters	TV Series
1985	Sweet Dreams	The Jordanaires	Credited as "Opry Band"
1985	Wild Horses	Band at Dance	TV Movie
1989	Hee Haw	Guest Performers	Season 22, Episode 5 (10/14/1989)
1990	Christmas The Cowboy Way	Themselves/Various Characters	TV Special
1991	Riders In The Sky	Themselves	TV Series (13 Episodes)
1993	A Riders In The Sky Christmas	Themselves/Various Characters	TV Special
1995–1996	Riders Radio Theater: The Television Show	Themselves/Various Characters	Series of TV Specials (Four Episodes)
1998	Barney & Friends	Themselves	Performer: "How Does He Yodel" Episode: "Howdy, Friends!"
1999	Toy Story 2	(No On-Screen Appearance)	Performer: "Woody's Round-Up"
2001	For The Birds	(No On-Screen Appearance)	Performer: "Big High Wire Hop"
2003	Country Music: The Spirit of America	Themselves
2003	Duck Dodgers	Saloon Robot Band	Episode: "The Wrath of Canasta"
2005	Stanley's Dinosaur Round-Up	Themselves	Performer: "Stanley Rides Again"
2015	Music City U.S.A.	Themselves

Books

• 
  Cusic, Don (2003). It's the Cowboy Way!: The Amazing True Adventures of Riders in the Sky. University Press of Kentucky. 306pp. ISBN 9780813128825..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"""""""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg/12px-Wikisource-logo.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#33aa33;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}
  

References

1. 
   ^ Show 189 of the WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour. The answer to when they first began performing is November 11, 1977 (given 19 minutes into the video). Video includes conversation and performance; taped January 7, 2002. Audio also available at this archive page. Archived March 20, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
   

External links

• Official website


• 
  Riders in the Sky at AllMusic
  

v t e Riders in the Sky
Current members	Douglas B. Green Paul Chrisman Fred LaBour Joey Miskulin
Studio Albums	Three on the Trail Cowboy Jubilee Prairie Serenade Weeds & Water New Trails Saddle Pals Riders Radio Theater Riders go Commercial Horse Opera Harmony Ranch Merry Christmas from Harmony Ranch Cowboys in Love Always Drink Upstream from the Herd Public Cowboy #1: The Music of Gene Autry Great Big Western Howdy! Christmas the Cowboy Way Woody's Roundup: A Rootin' Tootin' Collection of Woody's Favorite Songs A Pair of Kings Ridin' the Tweetsie Railroad Monsters, Inc. Scream Factory Favorites Riders in the Sky Present: Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier
Live Albums	Riders in the Sky, Live The Cowboy Way Riders in the Sky "Lassoed Live" at the Schermerhorn with the Nashville Symphony
Compilation Albums	Best of the West Best of the West Rides Again Saturday Morning with Riders Cowboy Songs Yodel the Cowboy Way Silver Jubilee Riders in the Sky Live from the Golden Age of Riders Radio Theater
Television	Tumbleweed Theater Riders in the Sky (TV series)
Radio	Riders Radio Theater
Film	Sweet Dreams Toy Story 2 For the Birds

v t e Members of the Grand Ole Opry

Roy Acuff Trace Adkins David "Stringbean" Akeman Bill Anderson Jack Anglin Eddy Arnold Ernest Ashworth Chet Atkins DeFord Bailey Kelsea Ballerini Bobby Bare Bashful Brother Oswald Humphrey Bate Dierks Bentley Binkley Brothers' Dixie Clodhoppers Clint Black Margie Bowes Rod Brasfield Garth Brooks Jim Ed Brown The Browns Carl Butler and Pearl Archie Campbell Bill Carlisle Martha Carson The Carter Sisters Maybelle Carter Johnny Cash June Carter Cash Roy Clark Terri Clark Zeke Clements Patsy Cline Jerry Clower John Conlee Stoney Cooper Wilma Lee Cooper Cowboy Copas Dailey & Vincent Charlie Daniels Skeeter Davis The Delmore Brothers The DeZurik Sisters Diamond Rio Little Jimmy Dickens Joe Diffie Danny Dill Jimmy Driftwood Roy Drusky The Duke of Paducah Holly Dunn The Everly Brothers Lester Flatt Red Foley Curly Fox Lefty Frizzell Larry Gatlin Crystal Gayle Don Gibson Vince Gill Billy Grammer Jack Greene The Gully Jumpers Theron Hale Tom T. Hall George Hamilton IV Sid Harkreader Emmylou Harris Hawkshaw Hawkins George D. Hay Hoot Hester Goldie Hill David Houston Jan Howard Ferlin Husky Alan Jackson Stonewall Jackson Sonny James Chris Janson Norma Jean Jim & Jesse Johnnie & Jack George Jones Grandpa Jones The Jordanaires Doug Kershaw Hal Ketchum Bradley Kincaid Pee Wee King Alison Krauss Little Big Town Hank Locklin Lonzo and Oscar Bobby Lord The Louvin Brothers Charlie Louvin Ira Louvin Patty Loveless Bob Luman Dustin Lynch Loretta Lynn Uncle Dave Macon Rose Maddox Barbara Mandrell Kerry Marx Martina McBride Del McCoury Mel McDaniel Reba McEntire McGee Brothers Jesse McReynolds Ronnie Milsap Bill Monroe Montgomery Gentry Craig Morgan George Morgan Lorrie Morgan Moon Mullican Willie Nelson Jimmy C. Newman The Oak Ridge Boys Old Crow Medicine Show Osborne Brothers Brad Paisley Dolly Parton Johnny Paycheck Minnie Pearl Stu Phillips Webb Pierce Ray Pillow Ray Price Charley Pride Jeanne Pruett Rascal Flatts Del Reeves Jim Reeves Riders in the Sky Tex Ritter Marty Robbins Darius Rucker Johnny Russell Rusty and Doug Earl Scruggs Jeannie Seely Blake Shelton Ricky Van Shelton Jean Shepard Ricky Skaggs Mississippi Slim Carl Smith Connie Smith Fiddlin' Arthur Smith Mike Snider Hank Snow Red Sovine Ralph Stanley Marty Stuart Texas Ruby B. J. Thomas Uncle Jimmy Thompson Mel Tillis Pam Tillis Tompall & the Glaser Brothers Randy Travis Travis Tritt Ernest Tubb Justin Tubb Josh Turner Carrie Underwood Keith Urban Leroy Van Dyke Porter Wagoner Billy Walker Charlie Walker Steve Wariner Kitty Wells Dottie West Mark Wills The Whites Slim Whitman The Wilburn Brothers Don Williams Hank Williams Boxcar Willie The Willis Brothers Chubby Wise Del Wood Marion Worth Johnnie Wright Tammy Wynette Trisha Yearwood Chris Young Faron Young

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