Riding off into the Sunset

There’s country and western and there’s cowboy. The multi-Grammy Award-winning Riders in the Sky are the latter. The foursome rides into Morgan City’s Municipal Auditorium on Sunday, Oct. 21, at 3 p.m.

The performance is the first in the Community Concert Association of Morgan City’s 2007-2008 season.

The foursome – Ranger Doug, “Idol of American Youth”; Too Slim, “a Righteous Tater”; Woody Paul, “King of the Cowboy Fiddlers”; and Joey, “The CowPolka King” – have been traveling the country performing for over 30 years. Their legendary wacky humor and way-out Western wit teamed with their melodic Western tunes have earned the Riders in the Sky the monicher, “America’s Favorite Cowboys.”

With over 5,400 performances in all 50 states and 10 countries under their collective belts, Riders in the Sky has never shied from its wholesome cowboy charisma and wholesome comedic flair.

The voices behind “Woody’s Round Up” in “Toy Story 2,” the group took home its first Grammy Award for that score. Two years later, another Pixar flick helped Riders in the Sky rope in their second Grammy. The film was “Monsters, Inc.,” and the song was “Monsters, Inc., – Scream Factory Favorites,” a companion CD to the award-winning movie.

The only exclusively Western music artist to join the Grand Ol’ Opry, Riders in the Sky can also be heard weekly in “Ranger Doug’s Classic Cowboy Corral,” which airs on XM Satellite Radio on Channel 10.

Tickets to see the six-time winners of the Academy of Western Artists’ “Western Music Group of the Year” are included in the Community Concert series’ subscription. It is $45 for adults and $10 for students through grade 12.

The four-show series also includes Cirque Russe, a Russian circus ensemble Nov. 10; jazz pianist Michael Kaeshammer Feb. 17, 2008; “On Broadway!,” a revue of Broadway’s top shows; and “Revolution,” which comes to town April 26, 2008. A celebration of the Beatles, the production showcases the band’s greatest hits.

For more information, contact the association at P.O. Box 1515, Morgan City, LA 70381, or call (985) 385-2307.