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Riders in the Sky show #3808 Wild West days, Well saddlepals....I've finally gotten around to reviewing the 3,808th performance in their long and checkered career! For those who are unaware (which probably means virtually everyone on this list but me! :-)) Viroqua is located about 40 miles southeast of LaCrosse, Wisconsin. It is around 7 miles away from Westby, which is where I stayed with a relative this past weekend. Anyway, here we go....(BEWARE: This is a long post! I get wordy sometimes.) The concert was scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. (according to the ticket), so I left Westby around 7:00. While driving there, I was somewhat alarmed to look in my rearview mirror to see nothing but black sky behind me, following me down the road! I did manage to make it into the arena before the deluge began (yay!). At this point, when I approached the arena, I could start a rant about the sloppy parking arrangements, but something neat happened because of it! Lemme explain: As I came upon the fairgrounds, I saw (along with others) a sign that said "Wild West Days - Parking" with an arrow pointing up a dirt road onto the fairgrounds. I drove up, but it was obvious that what I (and others) had driven into was the performer parking area! As I was waiting to talk to someone about where to go, someone nearby my car who was practicing his golf swing showered my car with dirt and grass a couple of times. It turned out to be none other than (drum roll) Woodrow himself! He was dressed in a dark green short sleeved shirt and tan shorts, and when he realized what was happening, he good naturedly smiled and apologized! With that, I had no choice but to turn around and go park in the correct spot :-(. Well, I did find the right place to park and wandered into the arena. There was quite a nice crowd (probably close to 2,000) and lots of folks were dressed in period costumes (did I mention this was Wild West Days?). An appropriately costumed young lady showed me to my seat and I made it just in time....for the opening act!!! (which I didn't know about) A couple of minutes after I sat down (around 7:30) the lights suddenly went out and a trio called K.G. and the Ranger came on and performed for 45 minutes. They weren't too bad, but I must admit that I rarely care to sit through an opening act, so this was quite a surprise. There were some announcements during the 15 minute intermission then it was time for America's Favorite Cowboys! At 8:30 on the dot, the concert started and this is what they played: (they played for 45 minutes, had a 15 minute intermission and played for 45 minutes+ afterwards, with a brief encore)
Texas Plains As usual, the concert was marvelous and they received a standing ovation from all in attendance! Joey's dad was introduced in the audience just before Texas Sand (which Joey sang for him). This arena that they were in (a new ice hockey arena) was large enough to take in this crowd, the stage and the Riders RV! I was sorely tempted to sneak over and try to take a peek inside.... I did take some pictures, but they didn't turn out too good. Hopefully the pictures I took (with Al's help!) at Baraboo on Sunday are better! That concert was wonderful also and even though it was hotter and muggier there, it was a smaller venue which allowed more contact with the guys after the concert. They signed my 20th anniversary poster, which I am looking to get framed! I was wondering: has Woody started adding a crown above his autographs? He did that on the poster, but he didn't do that last year... I didn't get a chance to stay and talk to the guys after Viroqua, because by the time I got over to where they were, there was already a line of at least 35-40 people waiting (and it was 10:30 p.m. and I was tired and hungry, so I figured I could wait til Sunday). Well, a million words later, my review is done. I don't know much else to tell you, but it was a wonderful evening! Dannielle (headin' on down the trail) |
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