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| DCCA presents Riders In The Sky holiday performance "Christmas the Cowboy Way" at St. Clair Memorial Hall, Saturday, December 7 at 8 p.m. |
Prior to the performance, DCCA will offer a pre-show session at St. Clair Memorial Hall where Riders In the Sky will discuss the heritage of Western song as well as provide information about their personal influences and career history. This informal lecture which is free and open to the public begins at 7 p.m.
"Multi-Grammy Award winning Riders In The Sky's presentation of "Christmas the Cowboy Way" blends together a festive mix of western music classics, traditional Christmas music, and Riders' original yuletide carols in a holiday spectacular sure to delight all ages." shared Andrea Jordan, DCCA Executive Director. "Christmas the Cowboy Way" will feature Riders' unique "brand" of cowboy humor sprinkled with a dash of holiday spice which includes original songs like "Riding Home on Christmas Eve," "Deck the Bunkhouse Walls," and "The Last Christmas Medley You Will Ever Need To Hear." You will also be invited to join Riders in singing traditional holiday classics; and all this yuletide charm is augmented with the classic western favorites Riders have been singing for 30 years.
Riders In the Sky are known as “keepers of the flame,” performing music made famous by icons of the American West such as Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, and Sons of the Pioneers; but the musicians are also known for their wacky wit and ability to entertain audiences of all ages and varied demographics. The group is the only exclusively Western ensemble inducted into the Grand Ole Opry where they still perform regularly; they have also brought their unique brand of music and humor to various venues around the world including the Hollywood Bowl and Carnegie Hall. Riders In the Sky has earned Grammy Awards for their musical performances in Toy Story 2 and Monsters Inc. which also attracted a whole new generation of fans to the group's music.
“Christmas the Cowboy Way” is sponsored by Coppock-Hole Trust and Second National Bank. This presentation is supported by the Arts Midwest Touring Fund, a program of Arts Midwest that is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from the Ohio Arts Council and General Mills Foundation. Additionally, the Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. DCCA also receives operating support from the Harry D. and Esther Stephens Memorial as well as funding from the Ketrow Foundation, Lydia E. Schaurer Memorial Trust Fund.
Tickets for the concert by Riders In the Sky cost $25, and can be reserved by contacting DCCA at 937-547-0908 or purchased at DCCA's office located within Greenville Public Library, as well as online at www.CenterForArts.net. According to DCCA officials, plenty of good seats remain for this performance; however, they recommend that those interested in attending act quickly, as past Riders In the Sky performances have sold out prior to showtime.