An 80s Western music comic group, Riders in the Sky are the winners of two Grammy Awards for their great performances in famous motion films: For the Birds by Pixar and Toy Story 2. At first, Riders in the Sky had only three members, Tom Slim (Fred LaBour, Woody Paul (Paul Woodrow Chrisman) and Ranger Doug (Douglas Green). The group was joined by Joey the Cowpolka King (Joey Miskulin, in the 90s, and he became the accordion player. The Riders in the Sky have been incredibly active over the years, and their impact on the public has not diminished, on the contrary, respect and popularity just added up to their fame.
The Riders in the Sky distinguish themselves not only by their artistic skills but also by the high education level of the group members: Ranger Doug has a Master degree in literature, Too Slim in Wildlife Management and Woody Paul a PhD in theoretical plasma Physics. {If that is not an impressive array of diplomas, then what is?That really is great academic education!} Even so, Riders in the Sky built personal professional lives not many other groups had the chance to accomplish; in their twenty-five year history, they have taken part to more than 300 television shows, 5,200 live performances, 200 radio acts and marked more than 700 Grand Ole Opry participations, not to mention the making of the three TV series in which they appeared. Add thirty albums to the list and you get the summary of a lifetime dedicated to art.
Other activities of Riders in the Sky include the appearance in CBS morning shows on Saturdays from 1991 to 1992 as well as dozens of winter holiday events organized for television purposes. As for their music, Riders in the Sky remain authentic and faithful to the cowboy and Western songs they perform. Music and comedy often combine in their shows in some of great parody sows. The old American spirit is addressed with respect and wit, according to the values consecrated by tradition.
The tours and general agenda of the Riders in the Sky are posted on the web page of the group for fans to consult. You can also consult the group’s biography and check with their awesome hall of fame. After all, Riders in the Sky did win the title of Entertainers of the Years seven times as well as Traditional Group of the Year and Traditional Album of the Year on multiple occasions too. These being said, it goes without saying why Billboard magazine calls them a major chapter in the history of American music.