Riders in the Sky win Spirit Award
Tuesday, April 8, 2008 – Riders in the Sky won the National Festival of the West Cowboy Spirit Award, recognizing those setting the example of Western heroes with the integrity, strength of spirit, and moral character depicted by the American cowboy. Riders in the Sky is a western/cowboy music group that has been making music for decades. The trio and actor John Wayne were the recipients for 2008.
More news for Riders in the Sky
CD reviews for Riders in the Sky
Public Cowboy #1: A Centennial Salute to the Music of Gene Autry (reissue)
Gene Autry would kiss his horse to hear this sweet sounding re-issue by Riders in the Sky of a recording that was already grand enough the first time around when released in 1996. Tribute albums can be sketchy, especially when they're a compilation of other people's recordings of one man's music, but here the combined talents of the irrepressible Riders more than does the master justice. Renditions of songs sung and written by Gene (and others like Ray Whitely and Billy Hill) will »»» |
Xmas the Cowboy Way
The Riders in the Sky have always been a loopy band, and this album is no exception. Songs like "The Prairie Dog Christmas Ball" and "Sidemeat's Christmas Stew," in which one of the Riders puts together a nasty sounding concoction and feeds it to the others, will likely appeal more to small children than to adults.
One of the most entertaining songs for young and old alike, however, is "Let It Snow / The Last Christmas Medley You'll Ever Need to Hear." The Riders assert that every Christmas song »»» |
Public Cowboy #1: The Music of Gene Autry
Gene Autry, the original Singing Cowboy, was always our idol, ready to save the day. While heroes like that have tumbled into the sagebrush with the last of the tumbleweeds, Riders in the Sky have been keeping the legends alive. They've incorporated much from Autry in their routines, from his repertoire to their variation on his Cowboy Commandments, "The Cowboy Way. "
It's no surprise that they'd record his songs as they've done here. Nor is it a surprise that they'd be true to Autry's »»» |
Editorial: American Idol's Carrie Underwood can sing –
If anyone saw the Super Bowl – what a great great game that was – they would have heard American Idol winner and country superstar Carrie Underwood sing the National Anthem. Underwood did with her voice what Kelly Clarkson did last week with her written words – give it to Scott Borchetta, the head of Big Machine Records,, who tried defending Taylor Swift by knocking American Idol performers. »»»
Concert Review: McBride, Adkins shine sometimes –
As Martina McBride pointed out, the pairing of the country singer with Trace Adkins on their current jaunt was surprising. After all, she's of diva-quality voice, petite, non-controversial unless you call singing songs that empower women controversial. Adkins, on the other hand, has not been afraid to speak his mind with a kick butt attitude.... »»»
Concert Review: Eilen Jewell wears her musical hats well –
Eilen Jewell wears a lot of musical hats. The Idaho native, who now lives in Boston, fronts the Eilen (ee-lin) Jewell Band, a pretty much traditional country band. She's a member the Sacred Shakers, an octet doing gospel country with a country beat. And she has yet another project, Butcher Holler, covering Loretta Lynn songs.... »»»
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Here it is the top 30 for 2009. This isn't authoritative in case you thought otherwise. It's just one man's opinion about his favorite CDs of the year, which seemed a cut above everything else. It was incredibly hard figuring out a number one CD for the year between the Avett Brothers, Brad Paisley and George Strait. All three were great albums from different perspectives of country and roots music, and at any one time over the past few days, each was my favorite. Come back in a few days, and who knows? Maybe the order will change.... »»»
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