From Baxter Black to the Powwow Idol

Riders in the Sky

Fred “Too Slim” Labour has mercifully taken a break from playing a tune on his cheeks to tell True West what Riders in the Sky is up to this year. He’s personally cooking up a new joke, which he will unveil sometime this Autumn. Ranger Doug, “keeper of statistics,” as Too Slim calls him, says that, as of June, the group is 50 shows shy of its 6,000th appearance—that works out to roughly a show every other day for the past 33 years!

Rollicking audiences of folks ready to be entertained is enough to energize this cowboy quartet, yet Too Slim does envision show number 6,000 as being something “special.” He’s also looking forward to the group’s appearance in Utah with the Salt Lake City Symphony on November 1, as it will celebrate the latest CD release, Lassoed Live at the Schermerhorn, backed by the Nashville Symphony Orchestra.

Beyond the group singing cowboy classics like “Tumbling Tumbleweeds” and “Ghost Riders in the Sky,” Too Slim says this year’s fans can expect to hear original tunes such as Woody Paul’s “The Arms of My Love,” Ranger Doug’s “That’s How the Yodel Was Born,” Joey’s polkapalooza stylings and sidekick Sidemeat’s “I’ve Cooked Everything.”

Who else is swearing allegiance to the “Cowboy Way” that we should be paying attention to? Ranger Doug says Grace, Sophia and Hulda of the Quebe Sisters Band is, through their Texas-style fiddling and three-part harmonic stylings. Ironically, the sisters count among their favorite events the Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering. You can catch them celebrating the show’s 20th anniversary on October 22-23, as well as at other venues throughout the country.

Live Western music you can dance to, sing to and even swoon to (if you’re that type) will be kickin’ at the following music festivals.

 

Grand Teton Music Festival

Now through August 14, 2010 • Wilson, WY

307-733-3050 • GTMF.org

 

The Next Act: Cut a rug at the Stagecoach Cafe in Wilson, known by locals as the “Coach.” Sunday nights are full of dancing cowboys and live Country music, if you didn’t already get your fill of that at the Grand Teton Music Festival.

 

TEN SLEEP MUSIC FESTIVAL

August 13-15, 2010 • Ten Sleep, WY
307-431-2022 • NoWoodstock.com

 

The Next Act: Re-apply sunscreen and hike, bike or climb in Ten Sleep Canyon’s red rock cliffs. Reward yourself with a dip in the serene Meadowlark Lake.

 

Moab Music Featival

September 2-13, 2010 • Moab, UT
435-259-7003 • MoabMusicFest.com

 

The Next Act: Owner and guide Mike of Magpie Cycling Adventures reveals Moab’s natural beauty at Canyonlands National Park, Kokopelli Trail and the Grand Canyon’s North Rim—from a mountain bike. The half-day ride on the Baby Step Trail is recommended for all skill levels.

 

Walnut Valley Festival

September 15-19, 2010 • Winfield, KS
620-221-3250 • WVFest.com

 

The Next Act: Chow down on chicken nachos served at Neives Mexican restaurant; then take a driving tour of all the outdoor murals that earned this city its claim as the mural capital of Kansas. Wrap Around Winfield and English Cottage are just a few of the murals that have beautified otherwise drab buildings.

 

National Gospel and Harvest Celebration

September 29-October 30, 2010 • Pigeon Ford, TN
800-365-5996 • Dollywood.com

 

The Next Act: Order the Buffalo Chicken Pizza at the Smoky Mountain Brewery. Wash it down with the Tuckaleechee Porter or the local favorite Black Bear Ale.

 

Tombstone Western Music Festival

November 5-7, 2010 • Tombstone, AZ
520-457-2295 • TombstoneWesternMusicFestival.org

 

The Next Act: All the True West editors would love it if we could start each day off with a meal at Bisbee Breakfast Club in nearby Lowell (practically Bisbee). BBB swears by the Harvest Omelet.

 

2011 Western Music Festivals

Kamloops Cowboy Festival
March TBA, 2011 • Kamloops, BC, Canada
888-763-2224 • BCCHS.com

Genoa Cowboy & Music Festival
April-May TBA, 2011 • Genoa, NV
775-782-8207 • GenoaCowboyFestival.com

CMA Music Festival
June 9-12, 2011 • Nashville, TN
800-262-3378 • CMAFest.com

Riverbend Festival
June TBA, 2011 • Chattanooga, TN
423-756-2211 • RiverbendFestival.com

Big Horn Mountain Music Festival
July TBA, 2011 • Buffalo, WY
307-672-3325 • BigHornMountainFestival.com