Riders in the Sky receive honor

Riders In The Sky have been keepers of the flame passed on by the Sons of the Pioneers, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, reviving and revitalizing Western music.

The Society for American Music presents an honorary membership each year to a well-known, prominent figure who has made important contributions to the field of American music. John Graziano, President of the Society for American Music, said, "For the past 30 years, Riders in the Sky have concertized and recorded, presenting the traditional songs of the American west. That their success has continued for three decades is proof of the joy their performances of these songs and ballads bring to American audiences. For me, their excellent recordings provide a welcome continuity of the songs I learned and sang growing up."

Riders In The Sky attend the conference to receive the honor.

The Society for American Music was founded in 1975 to promote the study and performance of American music. Originally named the Sonneck Society, in honor of Oscar G. T. Sonneck (1873-1928), the first critical scholar and bibliographer of American music, and the second chief of the Music Division of the Library of Congress, the Society changed its name in 2000. Since its inception, the Society has named 29 honorary members who reflect the diversity of American music, including Bill Monroe, John Cage, Leonard Slatkin and Oscar Peterson.