Ranger Doug, Too Slim, and Woody Paul have been performing together as Riders In The Sky for fifteen years. Ranger Doug, country music historian and Western Music , gathered a couple of friends to harmonize with him in a Nashville night club in 1977. The even proved to be so enjoyable that by early 1978 the group had christened itself Riders In The Sky, Too Slim having selected the band’s name from an old Sons of the Pioneers album. Each member of the group ha his own special talent: Ranger Doug, the group’s guitarist, provides his remarkable yodeling talents and smooth baritone lead vocals; Too Slim, bassist and master of characters, adds his varmint and comedy skits; Woody Paul plays his fiddle and entertains with his rope tricks. Together they z exquisite three-part harmonies.
As performers, Douglas B. Green, Fred LaBour, and Paul Chrisman have devoted 15 years to advancing the tradition of true Western Music. In addition to one-of-a-kind albums an eagerly anticipated live performances, the Riders have hosted their own weekly award-winning radio program (“Riders’ Radio Theater”) since 1988 on National Public Radio across America, have starred in their own weekly Saturday morning children’s program on CBS-TV, have just celebrated their tenth anniversary as members of the legendary Grand Ole Opry. Most recently, they are subjects of a collection of skits and biographical information, RIDERS IN THE SKY: THE BOOK.
Being the youngest ever to be inducted into the Western Music Hall of Fame, they are none the less considered to be the biggest influence on modern Western Music.
Awards:
- 2010 Best Collaboration
- 2010 Entertainer of the Year
- 2007 Entertainer of the Year
- 2005 Entertainer of the Year
- 2005 Traditional Album of the Year
- 2004 Entertainer of the Year
- 2003 Duo or Group of the Year
- 2003 Entertainer of the Year
- 2002 Entertainer of the Year
- 2002 Traditional Album of the Year
- 2001 Entertainer of the Year
- 2000 Duo or Group of the Year
- 1993 Hall of Fame Inductees
Nominations:
- 2023 Traditional Album of the Year Nominee