RIDERS IN THE SKY, 1997

at Buck Lake Ranch

Sometimes I wish I had a memory!!! If I did, I could tell you all the history of the Venue RITS performed at yesterday. There was probably literature available there which I could have obtained explaining that history, --- I didn't get any. ------ But it was a booking that showcased our cowboys at their best!

Located east of Angola Indiana, Buck Lake Ranch is an OLD outdoor theater with the wooden bleacher type seats built into a hill. Active as an attraction is the 40's and 50's - with stars such as Gene and Roy, it is now slowly being brought back to life. RITS were the perfect act, and it was a perfect day. There was only one thing missing ------- Joey, the Cowpolka King, was not there!!! The kids were really upset when they counted microphones, and Joey's was missing!!

Jessica, James, their Aunt Sarah and I left here at 10am, -- arriving at Buck Lake Ranch around 1pm. The show didn't start until 2pm, so we had ample time to look around and get the feel of the Ranch. When we went to find out seats, however, we ran into a little difficulty. ---- WE HAD NONE! Although we had purchased the top notch fifth row seats, unfortunately our seats had not been allocated to us. --- Our names were nowhere to be found on the seating chart! With tickets in hand, however, the owner graciously moved some of his friends into the bleachers, and gave us their forth row seats. I allowed these folks to be moved, --- because I had purchased our tickets in advance, -- and driven 3 hours. ----- Bleachers were not for us!!!!!!

Jessica, 4, was captivated by the opening act, - a sister and brother family act called the "Little Fiddlers". Jessica danced in the aisle to the wonderful rags and other spirited songs that were played. And she was especially please when someone took a picture of HER, dancing!!! As much as she loved their playing, however, her attention was totally diverted when she noticed her hero, Woody Paul, - approaching the stage area!!! She got so excited I thought she was going to blow up!!!! --- And THEN she saw Too Slim! After that she never even looked at the stage! All of her attention was directed towards the area from which her Cowboys had approached, --- And after that I was not allowed to look at the stage, --- I too had to watch for RANGER DOUG!!! By the time RITS took the stage, Jessica was so excited she couldn't sit still!!! This was her 6th RITS concert, -- and her love for the guys grows with each one!

James also had a wonderful time. He does not like riding in the car, since he easily gets car sick, but since Al stayed home this time, James was able to sit in the front seat of the van, thereby reducing that effect. When the show ended, his first questions was "Where are they next time?"

James is extremely shy, and has always had a hard time meeting the guys after the shows,- but at his last two shows we have eliminated that effect by letting him take our camcorder, and video the after show autograph session. This has proven to be a perfect solution. It distances him enough from the event that he can be there and enjoy it, without the emotion withdrawal he usually suffers, and he came up with some REALLY nice videos of the rest of us with RITS this time! Instead of taking photos with RITS, we just posed and waved at the camera. The only drawback here, is that the lighting failed us, and many shots had the sun in the camera, - darkening the images,---- but I should be able to get a few still for the web page off of it!

James has reluctantly gone onstage with RITS a number of times, but this time he chose to sit and watch as Jessica and Sarah went for the Kids number. It was the first time for both Jessica and Sarah and the stage was full of kids. After a little maneuvering, Jess and Sarah ended up, happily, right behind Woody Paul, which made for some very nice pictures of the three of them. But, whenever Woody looked at Jessica, she would bury her face under her arm. ---- ( I don't know if shyness is genetic or not, but I sure can relate to how the kids feel!!!! I was painfully shy, as a child, and missed many experiences because I had to hide from them. ) Fortunately, Slim, on the other side of the stage, was the one wielding the microphone, and Jessica was not confronted with a mike in her face, and she was able to just sing along at her own pace.

I didn't keep track of the songs that were played. In whole they were the usual numbers --- except for the fulfillment of one request. That was Woody Paul's rendition of "In My Adobe Hacienda", which woke up every critter within 10 miles with high notes that were here to fore never heard by this cowgirl! Jessica was happy, because her favorite song, "You Are My Sunshine" was played during the encore. All in all it was just another "Fantastic" show!!!

Watching a show myself, is one of the greatest pleasures I have in life, ------ But watching my grandchildren watch RITS has to be at the very top of the list! Sitting is a beautiful outdoor theater, with my arm around my Jamie, and my Jessica on my lap --- The three of us singing along softly with our Cowboys, is a memory I will always cherish!!! It is so wonderful having something that I can share with a 4 year old girl, an 8 year old boy, and even their aunt, 17, and have everyone thoroughly enjoy it. RITS audience truly has no age limit! From the youngest, to the oldest, ----- Folks loves them!!!!!! After shows, talking with others who's lives have been impacted by RITS, has taught me that I am not alone in the deep feelings I have for these guys. That's why you are all reading this!!! RITS have given so many of us something to hold onto! I truly love "Riding the Winds of the West" with Riders in the Sky.