Clayton Koff

Staff Writer

The two-time Grammy-award-winning Western group Riders In The Sky will headline a show at ISU on Feb. 28.

Riders In The Sky is a classic Western musical quartet that has been making music for the last four decades and has produced more than 30 albums. It’s the first contemporary-classic Western group to be inducted into the Western Music Association’s Hall of Fame.

The cowboy quartet will be performing at the Stephens Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m next week.

Ranger Doug, rhythm guitarist and co-founder of Riders In The Sky, spoke with The Bengal and answered a few questions about the group.

Q: How would you describe Riders In The Sky to someone who has never heard of them before?

A: Riders In The Sky is a classic Western group comprised of four members that was founded in 1977. American folk music is the best way I can describe what classic western is. Aside from that, we also have humorous routines that we incorporate organically where they are fitting. Overall, we are entertainers, and that’s what we do at all of our shows to the best of our ability.

Q: What were some of your greatest struggles as a band?

A: Honestly, we were very fortunate. Some people in the beginning didn’t really understand what we’re about, but most people did. When we first started out, we were part of the underground scene, which every music community has, until we filled in for this folk singer. Once we got up on stage, making people laugh, having a grand ol’ time we said to ourselves, “We gotta do this full time.”

Q: What were some of your greatest successes?

A: Well, the two Grammys were definitely a plus. Alongside that, our group was the only contemporary-classic Western band to be inducted into the Western Music Association’s Hall of Fame. At the time, only classics such as Roy Rogers and Gene Autry had that honor. We played the Hollywood Bowl with the Los Angeles Field Harmonic to 17,000 people. That was very cool.  In the ‘90s we had a children’s network TV show for a year called “Riders In The Sky” that aired form ‘91-’92. All of us had a lot of fun doing that. I would also say that one of the best successes for me personally was being able to put five kids through college on a musician’s salary.

Riders In The Sky approaches its 40th anniversary tour with the same lineup as when it was created back in 1977. Ticket prices are $20-$24.