Harken Hall to Host America’s Favorite Cowboys, Riders In The Sky: Celebrating 48 Years The Cowboy Way – November 8
Nashville, Tenn. (October 2, 2025) – Harken Hall is hosting a special tribute to America’s Favorite Cowboys and Grand Ole Opry members Riders In The Sky on Saturday, November 8 to celebrate 48 years of The Cowboy Way. The doors open at 5:00 p.m. for guests to enjoy special activities for little buckaroos and adults alike. At 7:00 p.m. the concert will start with Riders In The Sky and special guests.
Riders In The Sky were the first group to play last summer at the opening of Harken Hall. The band has been the keepers of the flame passed on by Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, revising and revitalizing Western music for decades. While remaining true to the integrity of the genre, they have become modern-day icons by branding it with their own legendary wacky humor and Western wit.
Ranger Doug, Too Slim and the late Windy Bill Collins played their first date in 1977 at Herr Harry’s Frank N’ Stein Rathskeller in Nashville in a small listening room. By the next year, demand was building and while Windy Bill left, Woody Paul joined, and the true professional beginnings of the band began at the Kentucky State Fair where the trio played ten days for $2,500.
Their first wave followed including appearances on Austin City Limits, recording contracts with Rounder, then MCA followed by Columbia. They had guest appearances on the Grand Ole Opry leading to their membership in 1982 as well as a three-year run on The Nashville Network with a show called Tumbleweed Theater. That led to a seven-year run on public radio with Riders Radio Theater. People Magazine, interested in the Riders Phenomenon, ran a story which happily caught the eye of a Hollywood producer.
That instigated a second wave sending the cowboys to Hollywood to star in Riders In The Sky on CBS for a year on Saturday mornings, introducing them to another generation. More recordings, endless show dates and television appearances followed for a decade before them to sign a tune called “Woody’s Roundup” in the movie “Toy Story 2.” By now the group was joined by Joey the Cowpolka King to form a quartet. Thus, the third wave began, highlighted by a number of projects for Disney, including two albums, both which won Grammy Awards. The band has recorded 42 albums.
Satellite radio has given them a new platform as they continue to produce episodes of the award-winning Classic Cowboy Corral on Sirius/XM.
Moo Country, a western inspired attire boutique in the heart of Leiper’s Fork, Tenn. with a second location in Bozeman, Mont. will host a fashion show “Glitter & Glam Cowgirl Style” prior to the concert. The guests will likely recognize some of the “models.” There will be a coloring book station for little buckaroos along with a lasso and yodeling exhibition.
A Western themed photo booth will be featured in the Hall along with free face painting and coloring books for kids. Commemorative Riders In The Sky posters will be available for sale along with other merchandise.
Special activities for the little buckaroos include lasso lessons, yodeling exhibition, Coloring books, face painting and The Cowboy Way photo booth.
Tickets are on sale now at $35, $55 and $65 online at https://www.harkenhall.com/shows. Each ticket supports The Magic Mission – a nonprofit working to end pet overpopulation and improve animal welfare in Central America through spay/neuter campaigns and education. The Mission’s founder co-wrote Riders in the Sky’s Trail of Tears, making this partnership truly personal.
Harken Hall is located at 514 Madison Station Blvd, Madison, TN 37115, with complimentary parking. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
ABOUT HARKEN HALL
Harken Hall is a premier event venue and production facility in Madison, Tennessee, designed for concerts, corporate events, weddings, and media production. The venue opened Fall, 2024 with a capacity of 922 standing or 576 seated guests in the Main Hall, plus additional outdoor space, it offers a versatile setting for unforgettable experiences. Featuring state-of-the-art AV and lighting, two recording studios, A 4K multi-camera video studio, and a commitment to sustainability, Harken Hall is a hub for music, celebration and innovation.
