Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE-The University of Wisconsin-Platteville will feature a unique holiday-themed family event as part of its Center for the Arts Performing Arts Series. The renowned, two-time GRAMMY Award winning Riders In The Sky will perform their 'Holiday Spectacular!' at 8 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 15 in the Richard and Helen Brodbeck Concert Hall of the Center for the Arts.

Some call it cowboy music; some call it folk music; some call it the best in western music. Call it what you like, but Riders In the Sky delivers pure and priceless entertainment. Since 1977, they have faithfully tended a musical tradition kindled by singing cowboy legends such as Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers. Throughout their collaborative career, Riders In The Sky have branded the genre of cowboy folk with their own mark, crafted from a well-balanced mix of both classical and original western songs, smooth harmony, hot licks and slapstick comedy. Over two decades, more than 4,000 shows, 200 national TV appearances, 200 public radio shows, 2.3 million miles on the road, three television series and dozens of albums down the trail, a group that began with a commitment to carry on an American musical tradition has itself become a national treasure.

Riders In The Sky's enthralling act centers around the expert musicianship of Ranger Doug (Idol of American Youth), Woody Paul (King of Cowboy Fiddlers), Too Slim (Insert Title of Your Choice Here) and Joey (the CowPolka King). The foursome combine refreshing acoustic music and a wide musical repertoire with outrageous comedy, delivering entertainment guaranteed to delight listeners, regardless of age or musical preference.

Riders In The Sky brings their music to the world with over 200 live performances each year. In addition, they've created and hosted Riders' Radio Theater, a radio program that's been broadcast by over 170 public and commercial stations since 1989. Riders In The Sky has recorded more than 20 albums. They have also starred in their own Saturday morning TV series for CBS, hosted Tumbleweed Theatre for four years on TNN; The Nashville Network, appeared multiple times on Austin City Limits, starred in their own television specials and are performing members of the Grand Ole Opry.

In 1999, Riders brought the singing cowboy back to the big screen in a new way as they provided music for Walt Disney/Pixar's "Toy Story 2" with their rendition of "Woody's Roundup." They then recorded a companion album for the movie: "Woody's Roundup featuring Riders In The Sky." The album landed Riders In The Sky a GRAMMY Award for Best Musical Album for Children in 2001. In 2002, Riders composed the original score to PIXAR Animation's Academy Award winning short film, "For The Birds." In 2003 Riders In the Sky won a second GRAMMY Award for Best Musical Album for Children for their Walt Disney Record's release "Monster's Inc. - Scream Factory Favorites."

The Riders In The Sky: Holiday Spectacular is full of great musicianship, wacky antics and wonderfully witty humor sprinkled with a dash of holiday spice. Based in the roots of the American cowboy tradition, Riders In The Sky add their own brilliance to some favorite holiday tunes as well as originals such as "Merry Christmas from Harmony Ranch" and "Side Meat's Christmas Goose." For quality family holiday entertainment and a chance to see GRAMMY award winning musicians, don't miss Riders In The Sky: Holiday Spectacular!

As with all events in the 2003-04 UWP Center for the Arts Performing Arts Series, there will be a pre-show dinner as well as a free pre-show discussion with members of the ensemble. The discussion will take place in the Center for the Arts beginning at 7 p.m. The pre-show dinner will begin at 6 p.m. in the Velzy Commons of the Ullsvik Center and will feature a 'Western Theme' for $12 per person. Dinner tickets should be purchased three days in advance of the show by calling the university box office at 608-342-1298.

All Performing Arts Series performances begin at 8 p.m. and tickets are available through the university box office in the Center for the Arts. Ticket prices for Riders In The Sky: Holiday Spectacular! are: UWP students $8; under 18 $14; senior citizens $21; UWP faculty/staff $22; general admission $24. The university box office is open Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and can be reached by calling 608-342-1298. The university box office is located in the lobby of the Center for the Arts on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville at 700 West Main St. More information on the Performing Arts Series can be found at http://www.uwplatt.edu/arts/cfa.