11th Annual Sonoran Symphony
featuring
Riders In The Sky  &  Phoenix Symphony Orchestra
 

It's been a while since the hills surrounding Cave Creek, Arizona, echoed with the

Cool, lonesome sounds of a cowboy crooning to his herd.

But it's time to polish up your boots and saddles, folks! The Riders in the Sky are whooping into town, and they've got the whole Phoenix Symphony hightailin' it behind 'em.

The outfit'll be camping under the stars at Rancho Manana on May 6, 2006, for an outdoor shindig featuring the great sound of the Phoenix Symphony and the authentic cowboy tunes of The Riders in the Sky. They'll be bringing the old west to life just for you.

The Sonoran Symphony is an event that has been created for you for the past ten years by the Desert Foothills Land Trust, a group dedicated to the protection and preservation of sensitive lands and species for the survival of the fragile Sonoran Desert. The Land Trust is
custodian of 530 acres of desert land in this area. Money raised by the Sonoran Symphony helps to provide for the careful stewardship of the all these preserved acres, our heritage for future generations.

Like the Land Trust, the Riders of the Sky believe in heritage - the rich traditions of legendary cowboy singers. This Grammy Award winning Western music group has single-handedly revitalized the entire genre since they formed in 1977. The four men - Ranger Doug (Idol of American Youth), Woody Paul (King of Cowboy Fiddlers), Too Slim ("a Righteous Tater"), and Joey (the CowPolka King) - have racked up over 5,000 fun-filled performances, as well as records, albums and original movies scores.

Their masterful musical talent is always in evidence. Guitarist Ranger Doug sings lead In his smooth baritone and is a yodeler of breathtaking technique. An award winning song writer, he is also a music historian with a published book on singing cowboys of the l930's. Woody Paul sings lead tenor and dazzles fans with his fiddle playing and intricate rope tricks. Accordionist Joey adds to the tunes on his "stomach Steinway," while bassist Too Slim beats out the rhythm for the group.

The Sonoran Symphony brings you the hi-jinks of these lighthearted cowboys onstage with the glorious sound of the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Michael Christie, plus a fabulous dinner beneath the stars created by Chef Eric Flatt of the Tonto Bar & Grill. The best reward of all is knowing you've helped preserve pristine Arizona desert forever.

Tickets may be purchased by calling the DFLT office at 480-488-6131 or the Symphony Reservation line at 480-517-6475. See ya'll there!