Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

RIDERS in the SKY

Modern cowboy/western trio formed '77 by Ranger Doug (Douglas B. Green, leader, vocals, guitar), Woody Paul (Dr Paul Chrisman, vocals, fiddle, accordion, mandolin, harmonica) and Too Slim (Fred LaBour, vocals, bass, guitar, accordion). Green was a country historian/journalist from Michigan, editor of the Country Music Foundation Press and Journal Of Country Music, one-time member of Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys. Paul had PhD in theoretical plasma physics, worked for AEC in Oak Ridge TN; played fiddle for Loggins and Messina; LaBour, the group's comic, was a one- time member of Dickey Lee's band. They began playing a weekly gig at now-defunct Nashville bluegrass club Wind in the Willows, signed to Rounder Records '79. Hosted TNN's Tumbleweed Theater '83--6; appeared in films Sweet Dreams and Wild Horses '85--6; Saddle Pals was named Independent Labels' Children's Album of the Year '85; moved to MCA '87 with album The Cowboy Way; launched Riders In The Sky Saturday-morning series on CBS- TV '91--2 and signed to Columbia. Re-creation of the singing cowboy genre gained a following around the world with zany stage act and Sons of the Pioneers-styled vocal harmonies; they were back on Rounder '95. Albums incl. Three On The Trail '79, Cowboy Jubilee '81, Prairie Serenade '82, Weeds And Water '83, New Trails '86, Always Drink Upstream From The Herd '96 all on Rounder; Riders Radio Theater '88, Riders Go Commercial '89, Horse Opera '90 all on MCA; Harmony Ranch '91, Merry Christmas From Harmony Ranch '92 on Columbia.