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Riders in the Sky Returns to Tweetsie Railroad Aug. 9 and 10; Quartet Treats Guests to Wacky Western Music

July 28, 2014. If you’re a fan of the Sons of the Pioneers, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, then make sure to mark your calendars for Aug. 9-10 when America’s Favorite Cowboys ride into Tweetsie Railroad. Riders in the Sky, the classic cowboy quartet known for an entertaining blend of Western harmony and comedy, will take the stage to perform “The Cowboy Way” each day at noon and 3 p.m.

For more than 30 years, Riders in the Sky has been entertaining audiences far and wide with a unique combination of acoustic music and outrageous comedu. Guitarist Ranger Doug, Governor of the Great State of Rhythm; upright bunkhouse bassist Too Slim; Woody Paul, King of the Cowboy Fiddlers; and Joey the CowPolka King delight listeners of all ages and all musical preferences with songs like Woody’s Roundup, the group’s Grammy-winning song from the movie Toy Story 2. When the group takes the stage at Tweetsie, guests will be treated to traditional Western favorites like Home on the Range and Tumbling Tumbleweeds as well as the original Tweetsie-Railroad-themed music from its 2002 CD Ridin’ the Tweetsie Railroad.

imgresRiders In The Sky is the only exclusively Western artist to have won a Grammy, and they’ve won two (in 2001 and 2003). In 1982, they became the first, and to date only, exclusively Western music artist to join the Grand Ole Opry. The quartet has made more than 6,100 concert appearances in all 50 states and ten countries, appearing in venues ranging from the Nashville National Guard Armory to Carnegie Hall, and from county fairs to the Hollywood Bowl. They have been guests on countless TV specials, documentaries and variety shows, appearing with everyone from Barney to Penn & Teller. In addition to being inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, Riders In The Sky is in the Western Music Association’s Hall of Fame, the Country Music Foundation’s Walkway of Stars and the Walk of Western Stars.

After Riders In The Sky puts you in the true Western spirit, leave time to experience the long ago era of cowboys and Indians for yourself at North Carolina’s first theme park. Hop aboard the train, pulled by one of the famed steam-powered Tweetsie locomotives for an unforgettable three-mile adventure through the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains. Explore the streets of a Western town, take a spin on exciting amusement rides, visit the animals at the Deer Park Zoo, and take a scenic chair lift ride to Miner’s Mountain and pan for gold.

Tweetsie Railroad is open seven days a week from May 30 through Aug. 17. The park returns to the weekend schedule from Aug. 18 through Nov. 2, including Labor Day Monday. The 2014 season ends Sunday, Nov. 2. The park’s regular hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., but will be open until 9:00 p.m. on July 4 for the Fireworks Extravaganza and July 5, 12, 19 and 26 for Cool Summer Nights. Daily admission to Tweetsie Railroad is $39 for adults and $26 for children ages 3 through 12. Children 2 and under are admitted free. The Ghost Train® Halloween Festival will take place Friday and Saturday nights September 26 through November 1 from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., when admission is $31 for adults and children. Tickets and Golden Rail Season Passes are available atTweetsie.com.

Tweetsie Railroad is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains on U.S. Highway 321 between Boone and Blowing Rock, North Carolina. For more information about the 2014 season at Tweetsie Railroad, visit Tweetsie.com or call 877.TWEETSIE (877.893.3874). Find Tweetsie on Facebook or follow Tweetsie on Twitter@TweetsieRR.