Tribute band to honor Gene Autry Saturday at Woodstock Opera House

Musician Gene Autry would have celebrated his 100th birthday this year and Riders In The Sky, the modern day standard bearers of the grand and sweeping western music tradition that Autry popularized, are seizing the opportunity to celebrate the singing cowboy's life and music with a "Centennial Salute to Gene Autry!"

The performances will be at 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 W. Van Buren St., Woodstock. Tickets are $23. Visit Web site at www.woodstockoperahouse.com or call (815) 338-4212 .

The nearly year-long festivities include a national tour and the re-release of their 1996 album, "Public Cowboy No. 1: The Music of Gene Autry."

Additionally, Riders In The Sky are guest artists on the tribute album, "Boots Too Big to Fill: A Tribute to Gene Autry" also featuring Vince Gill, Randy Owen, Glen Campbell, Charlie Daniels and Pam Tillis.

To commemorate this 100th birthday celebration, Riders In The Sky is offering a new, limited edition poster on its Web site, www.ridersinthesky.com, that features both Autry and the Riders in an old-style western movie poster design.

"Paying tribute to Gene on the 100th anniversary of his birth is certainly The Cowboy Way," said Too Slim, the Riders' bespectacled bunkhouse bassman.

"He was the first to embody Hollywood's unique melding of music, adventure and that most American of cultural icons, the cowboy."

The centennial celebration kicked off May 24 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum with Ranger Doug performing some of Autry's music and Holly George-Warren reading from her biography, "Public Cowboy No. 1: The Life and Times of Gene Autry."

Ranger Doug also signed copies of his books "Singing Cowboys" and "Singing in the Saddle: The History of the Singing Cowboy."

Then the Riders hit the road to rekindle the romance with America that Autry created through his singing cowboy persona that made him a star of radio, film and television.

The Centennial Salute to Gene Autry Tour landed at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles July 2-4. The Riders teamed with the LA Philharmonic to present some of Autry's most beloved hits including "Back in the Saddle Again" and "Ghost Riders in the Sky."

The tour makes a timely stop in Gene Autry, Okla., on Sept. 29, Autry's birthday, where the Riders will perform at the Gene Autry Film and Music Festival.