RRT99

dj speaks!

Well, it's about time I took keyboard in hand and tried to capture some of the magic moments from the most recent Riders' Radio Theater tapings at the Emery Theater in Cincinnati, Ohio (Oct. 1 & 2, 1999). So without further ado, let's saddle up and join Riders in the Sky for more thrilling programs of high yodeling adventure!

The weekend started on Thursday for me. That's the day I picked up Tiff at the airport. After the BCF gathering fiasco, Tiff's good judgement caused her to eschew TWA as a carrier this time. Flying in on United, she had no problems and arrived happy, luggage in hand! Since she arrived right at evening rush hour, we poked around in the airport terminal for about an hour (what else? shopping!), until traffic died down, then made the drive home.

Within half an hour of arriving home with Tiff, who pulls into the driveway but Jackie! No side trips to explore local ditches or anything this time! (Although, throughout the weekend, each time we passed "the ditch," we had to stop and say "Hi!")

We started the weekend by watching the entire 4-hour video of A4K that Tiff taped at Puyallup (at the request of the Riders' office!). Clips from the video appeared on This Week in Country Music, complete with credit for Tiff in the show's end credits! WAHOO, Tiff!

Next morning we were up early for breakfast at Bob's (Bob Evans restaurant, that is!) with Cyberpal Ellen. We sat and gabbed for a long time, then Ellen had to leave to go to work *groan* and I had to leave to go home and wait for the plumber double *groan*! The hot water heater picked this weekend to expire. (Fortunately, Clermont Plumbing not only responds quickly to an S.O.S., they also do a great job!) Tiff and Jackie went shopping for the guys. When they got back home, the plumber had taken care of the water heater, and it was time to start gathering our paraphernalia for the show! I had to take my hardbound copy of Country Roots: The Origins of Country Music, by famous author Douglas B. Green, hoping for an autograph from the author (I got it!), we had to gather our light sticks (which are quickly becoming a tradition during "Happy Trails"), we had to get cameras and film ready, and I had to pack a plastic trash bag full of elkhound fur for Janet (who had very kindly offered to spin it into yarn for me so I could have a permanent keepsake of my elkhound friends). Oh, yeah! And Tiff and Jackie had found these wonderful keychains for the guys, made just like the animal cracker boxes that look just like aaa circus train! Then we stopped to pick up the cake to celebrate Anne Marie's birthday!

Anyway, with everything gathered and packed, we left for the Emery, arriving at about 6:30 P.M. so we could wait in the lobby and pass out tickets to the Cyberpals as they arrived. We also managed to pick up a herd of "Pony Pals" from the Merc, plus our copies of the Christmas the Cowboy Way CD and the new video, Live at the Sasparilla [sic] Saloon. And the new little humor books Grit and Gumption: A Cowgirl's Guide by Gladiola Montana and Horse Sense: Pure and Simple and Wahoo! Cowboys in Love by Texas Bix Bender. And a new Texas Bix T-shirt! And Good thing I told Beth ahead of time to send extra Pony Pals. They almost ran out the first night, and that after she added an extra case to the Merc for that weekend at my behest!

How did we have enough time to clean out the Merc? Well, the out-of-town Cyberpals had a hard time finding the Emery, so after waiting almost until the show started, we had to leave tickets at the Merc for them and go on in and find our seats. Imagine my joy on finding that Friday's guest was Janis Ian! I always knew she was a marvelous singer and songwriter, but who knew she was such an incredible guitarist? "Everybody knew!" I hear the thunderous response! Well, everyone but me. She was absolutely awesome. I've never heard anything like the songs she played at half-time. Wow! Ya shoulda been therethat's all I can sayyou shoulda been there!<P>

The Riders took the stage for appearance #4010 (#111 for me) to thunderous applause and a sold-out crowd (yes, the other Cyberpals got there in time for the show!). With a large Toy Story Woody adorning the stage right in front of our Woody, they did a short set of favorites. I'm sorry I didn't write down the play list, but they started with "Texas Plains" and the did include "Woody's Round-up" and Too Slim's list of milestones on their way to A4K. Then at long last the "O-O-OOOOOOOO" rang out loud and clear, then click-click, BANG! and Riders' Radio Theater was on the air once again! Please excuse the lack of a complete play list or a list of RRT bits. I was too caught up in the moment, and so was everyone else. The show the first night was "Titanic II," wherein Sidemeat wrangles a job on board the Titanic II as an escargot chef, and has a passionate affair with Rose, who ends up creating a sculpture of Sidemeat, who is modeling only his greasy apron and his hat turned up in the front. (Now ain't that a picture?)

Joey's fan club was there, although we weren't wearing our fan club shirts Friday. We saved those for Saturday! But we made ourselves know with the cry of the polkaholic: "Jo-EY! Jo-EY! Jo-EY!" At one point, when we didn't start the chant, Ranger Doug did! It was absolutely wonderful!

We left in a state of euphoria Friday night, only to do it all again Saturday! The guys noticed the Joey Fan Club and mentioned that Joey's fans were here--all four of 'em (there were more than that!). Even Amy, who had driven up from Louisville that morning, was wearing her Joey shirt! The guest for Saturday night was the New Mr. Wizard, a.k.a., "Jake." He had some hysterical experiments to show the crowd, including a balloon and penny gyroscope, an air gun made of a bucket with a hole in the bottom and a drum head stretched over the top, and a box that blew smoke rings (and kept blowing smoke rings out onto the stage, even after Mr. Wizard handed the box offstage. Nothing like a stagehand trying to steal the show, huh?)

The serial Saturday night (Riders' 4011th appearance, #112 for me!) was "War of the Worlds," wherein Tumbleweed valley is invaded by what seems to be aliens from Marsor are they? Once again, Ranger Doug's number 3 yodel is necessary to save the day, but he's stricken with "anti-yodeling gas" (there really is such a thing, too! It's sulfur dioxide, which works exactly the opposite of helium when it's inhaled. Mr. Wizard tried it out on Woody during half-time. What a hoot! The low voice is just as low as it is high when you inhale helium!). So did Ranger Doug manage to save the day? What do you think?

Faithful saddlepal Alan (of Louis the Florist fame) was there both nights, providing absolutely gorgeous long-stemmed red roses for Joey's lovely wife Patti, attending her first RRT taping (and a yellow rose for his daughter Katie, too!). Joey presented the roses to Patti and Katie from the stage, after the warm-up and before the show. And Joey did "The Fastest Accordion in the West" for his fan club during the warm-up! Since they'd never done that bit in Cincy, it was received with thunderous applause.

After all the fun, we simply couldn't just leave, so the Cyberpals all headed over to Frisch's Big Boy by the Quality Hotel Central in Norwood, Ohio, to cool down from the really hot shows. Amy, Tiff, Jackie and I were there first, and after a few minutes, who should come walking in but Joey's family! What a bonus to the evening! We went over the shows again and again, made plans for future shows, welcomed Alan to the group (although he still doesn't have a computer!), and said tearful goodbyes. Then Tiff, Jackie, Amy and I had to leave because Amy had to drive back to Louisville that night, and it was already 11:45 P.M. We got home, Amy left, Jackie and I took Tiff to the airport the next morning, then Jackie began her trip home to NJ. It was a sad occasion, after all the good times that weekend, but it was a good kind of sad, if you know what I mean. Cyberpals Janet, her mom Bobbie, Donna N., Jill, our leader Bobbie, Al, Jamie and Jess, Jackie, Tiff, Ellen, Amy, myself and my husband Ed met and welcomed new Cyberpals Jan and Ed, Mary Rose, and Alan, and in general had a wonderful time! And as an extra added attraction, my dear friends Stan and Kathy, who had planned to be there Saturday night, couldn't come (and this is good how? Well, I'll tell ya!) because their daughter gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Bailey that afternoon! It was a wondrous weekend all around!

And that's my take on the weekend. For further descriptions, read on!

...and Tiff sez...

My trip to Riders' Radio Theater started at 3:30 A.M. on September 30th, so I could drive to Spokane and catch my flight east. This was my first trip totally alone; when I went to BCF, my Dad drove me up and came to get me. The only problem I had was road construction just outside of Colfax, and I was able to get to the detour because the pilot car had a flat tire, so I didn't lose that much time and arrived at the airport an hour before my flight. I was smarter this time, I had one of those carry on suitcases and didn't check anything. I also had one stopover and was on the same airline the whole time. I made it to Cincy about four, bags in hand, and dj was there to meet me. She said that we should hang out for a bit so we wouldn't get stuck in traffic, so about an hour later, we left for her house. Jackie got there almost right after we did, so we put on a Riders video and spent most of the night talking.

On Friday, we went to breakfast with Ellen, then Jackie and I went shopping. The main thing we got were four little key chains that look like those animal cracker boxes on wheels with little animals. They were circus trains! So those were for the guys. We got to the Emery about 6:25 just as the Merc was setting up. They had copies of the new Christmas album and the new video. Everyone made it by show time and then it was time for the show!

Brief warm-up song list

Texas Plains

How the Yodel Was Born

Wah-Hoo!

Autumn on the Trail

Outfits:

Slim: Hat, cac-tie, purple, black and red velvet shirt with sequins, blue jeans, and boots.

Doug: Hat, white shirt with red roses and buttons, red neck scarf, green slacks, and boots.

Woody: Hat, black shirt with white fringe and horseshoes, white neck scarf, slacks, and boots.

Joey: Hat, blue shirt with flowers on it, white neck scarf, jeans and boots.

TBB: Hat, white suit jacket, western tie, light colored shirt, and boots.

They did "Titanic II" the first night and it was a love story focused on Sidemeat and Rose. They had Janis Ian playing Rose. It was so much fun to watch, like when they tried to use the gun in the opening segment and it wouldn't work. At the end of the show, Jackie had brought light sticks for us to wave, like the lighters at a Garth concert. They all laughed and Texas Bix pointed to us and smiled.

I had made almond jam tarts for everyone, and everyone but Woody took one. When I offered one to Texas Bix, he took one, looked at me and asked if there was a punch line! He is pretty neat! [Editor's note: Tiff has a flair for understatement!] And finally, to wrap up the first show, Doug said this was a first, I had them autograph the light stick!

Ok, Saturday. We all decided to get some rest, so we met up at the hotel at about 2:00 for lunch. Then we met up again at the theater for the second show. I didn't get a song list, but I do remember the outfits:

Slim: Red plaid shirt with black cutouts, jeans, cac-tie, hat, boots.

Doug: Black shirt with red flowers, black slacks, white neck scarf, hat.

Woody: Gray shirt with blue design, gray slacks, white next scarf, boots.

Joey: Red and blue shirt, black slacks, white next scarf, boots, white hat.

TBB: Blue suit jacket, blue shirt, tie, jeans, hat, boots.

I'm gonna go ahead and say this now because I felt like such an idiot! After the show, dj introduced me to Texas Bix and I asked him what he did in radio. He looked at me like I was an idiot. So I said not the taping, but other radio and told him I'm a disk jockey, which I guess cleared it up, and he did asked what kind of stuff we play.

Ok, I feel better now, so on with the show. They taped "War of the Worlds" tonight and it was so much fun! Charlie got set on fire twice! Probably the coolest part of the taping is when Joey came out. dj, Amy, Jackie and I were in the front row all with Joey fan club shirts on. We all started yelling "Jo-ey, Jo-ey" and he waved, blew kisses, then motioned for quiet. Doug then mentioned that the Joey fan club was there and Joey said, "Yeah, all four of them." Later, Joey gave his wife flowers because this was the first time she had made it to a radio taping and Doug started saying "Jo-ey, Jo-ey" and we picked right up on it.

After the show, we did the light sticks again and Slim made the comment that the fireflies were out! And I got that one autographed too. We did a Joey fan club picture after the show, out in the lobby. I was next to Joey and when Jackie said everyone say "squeeze," that's just what he did! I haven't seen the picture yet, but I felt like I was off-balance!

And to cap off the evening, you all know about this one, we turned on This Week in Country Music and there was the footage and credits! It was too cool!

I flew out the next day, Jackie and dj drove me to the airport. dj had brought along light sticks and they had theirs in the airport, I had mine on the plane, and we were able to wave to each other until my plane left the gate!

Catch you all on down the trail!

...Janet sez...

If I said that Our Guys were fabulous, funny, and wonderful, I wouldn't really be saying anything that you didn't already know. But that is exactly what RRT was! It was just terrific seeing the Cyberpals again, and meeting Jan and Ed Mast. Great folks--just like the rest of the Cyberpals--a fine addition to our mighty group!

Jamie looks well and healthy, and no one gives hugs like Jessica. I call them "saran wrap hugs." They are a remarkable experience! I know that Mom was glad to be along to meet all the folks that she has heard so much about. On the way to Cincy, I played a tape in the car of assorted cowboy music, mostly from the 30s and 40s. Mom told me about her older brother, Everett, who loved cowboy music, and monopolized the radio in their home all the time. So, she grew up listening only to cowboy music. She said that she felt so badly that she was never given the chance to listen to swing music, which she loved.

She then said that for years she never liked cowboy music as it reminded her of never getting her way. I started to question the wisdom of bringing her to the RRT showsbut didn't say anything

But on Saturday, after we had thoroughly enjoyed the Friday night shows, Mom was humming "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" all morning long! Again, I didn't say anything, but knew that RITS had won her over!!!!! A convert! Do I hear an "amen?"

It is hard to leave the company of the Cyberpals. Such a remarkable bunch of folks, indeed. But there is always something to look forward to with the groupanother concert, another Cyberpal gathering in the future, and of course, e-mail! What I am hoping for someday is a gathering where everyone will be there. I'll keep my fingers crossed for that to happen someday.

...and Jan sez...

My husband (Ed) and I left home Friday morning around 9:00 A.M., and arrived at the hotel about 5 hours later. It was a very easy drive and we had no problem finding the hotel.

The first concern was how to hook up with people when I didn't know what they looked like. After settling in our room, we took the elevator back down to the lobby so we could leave messages at the desk for incoming Cyberpals. A very nice lady rode with us. She, too, went to the desk. When she asked the clerk if some tickets were there for a group of people, I asked her if she was a Cyberpal. The nice lady turned out to be Jill Biatek. I had met my first Cyberpal! Shortly thereafter, we met Donna N., Janet and her mom (Bobbie), and Bobbie, her hubby, Al, and her grandkids. We all got together for lunch/dinner so we would have time to get to the show.

Ed and I took off a little early so we could find our way to the theater. It's a good thing. Parking was a nightmare, but we got in just in time for the show to start. It was so good to see RITS again! They're just terrific. Ranger Doug seemed to be having a little trouble due to a sore throat. I didn't write down song titles. I was too busy just soaking it all in! On Friday night, the story they did was "Titanic II." Of course it was delightful. We didn't get to sit with the rest of the Cyberpals 'cause I had ordered the tickets earlybefore I knew a group would be there. (duh). But at intermission I went down to where they were sitting and met Jackie, Tiff, and donna j. (and her hubby Ed). In our small group we had 2 Bobbies, 2 Donnas, 2 Eds, a Janet and a Jan (I'm really a Janet). After the show, it was autograph and picture time. I was so excited 'cause I didn't have time to do that at BCF. Ed and I each had the guys sign our #4000 mugs and I introduced myself as the latest Cyberpal. I also presented Ranger Doug with an apple pie I made (with apples we had just recently picked in MI). I told him to share with the others. He said he could probably eat it all by himselfbut that "wouldn't be the Cowboy Way"! Ed took several pictures and then yakked with Slim about golf (of course). Ed's a golf-a-holic! Then it was time to head back to the hotel. We <i>tried</i> to leave, but ended up going around the block twice and couldn't find our way back to the freeway. We finally waited for Bobbie Melody and Al, and they said they would lead us back. That worked real welluntil Al made a wrong turn! But he realized he was going the wrong way and we did eventually get there!

Saturday morning Ed and I contacted an old classmate that lives in the suburbs of Cincy and he gave us directions to his house. When we stepped off the elevator and into the lobby, Slim and Joey were standing there. Slim said, "Joey, it's the apple pie lady!" So we stood there a little while discussing just how I make my crust. Joey said he wasn't sure whether he was going to have a piece until Ranger Doug told him it was definitely worth going off of his diet! Most of Saturday was taken up visiting our classmate and his wife. By the time we got back, it was almost time to get ready to go to the show.

The second night was even more enjoyable than the first. I wasn't so nervous about meeting everyone. As always, the music was fantastic. And Doug's throat sounded like it was much better. They taped "War of the Worlds" and it was hysterical. Afterward we hung out in the lobby and got several more pictures. Also had more time to just chat with the guys. They just go out of their way for their fans, don't they?

All in all it was a very busy, whirlwind weekend. Totally enjoyable. Now I can put faces with some Cyberpal names. All too soon it was Sunday morning and time to leave. Said goodbye (sniff) and headed down the trail. We sure did have a great time

...and Jill sez...

Going to a Riders' Radio Theater taping was a dream come true for me as this is how we found our beloved Riders about nine years ago. Special memories come to mind on Sunday afternoons in Iowa. At 3:00 P.M. everyone would stop what they were doing and gather around the radio. We longed to meet them in person, which of course we did, and many wonderful shows later, here we are.

Unfortunately RRT stopped playing in Iowa and the tapings less frequent so when this chance came up to see a taping I just had to do it! What a thrill to be there in person and experience the show I dearly love, complimented by the friendships with the guys. An added bonus is the Cyberpals and the bonds and friendships we have made.

I am truly grateful for Riders in the Sky and the many joys and people they have brought into my life.

...and Bobbie sez...

Well, for us the RRT was a family experience, and a wonderful one!!!

James and Jessica have each seen lots of RITS appearances (James is now at 18, and Jessica is at 14)but the RRTs were a new experience for them, and they loved them. It was Al's second set of tapings, (he's now at 30 shows) and my 5th (I hit 63 shows).

We all loved being able to get together again with some Cyberpals we had met at BCF. Everyone is sooooo wonderful with the kids!!! They have definitely found the feel of a close "family unit" with the Cyberpals! They are finding happy memories that I know will help them overcome a lot! I will never be able to thank everyone enough for all the kindness shown them!

For myself, it was more of a Cyberpal experience that it was RRT, because Jessica had a hard time sitting still during the serials. The first night she and I went out to the Merc, and then up in the last row of the balcony where she wasn't as disruptive but I couldn't follow the story lineand didn't really try. I was just really enjoying her excitement with it all.

It wasn't until the next night that I finally realized just why Jessica had been so antsy She was sitting behind a very tall person, and couldn't see either Joey or Woody! So, for the last show we moved Jessica behind dj, and she sat much quieter (not quiet, just quieter) and I was able to enjoy more of the show.

I'm not going to review any of the showsince I wasn't paying close attention except for the portion with the "New Mr. Wizard" in between the shows the second night! The kids really enjoyed this part!

I might have missed some, as I was out getting popcorn and pop for the kids, but when I returned I was pleased to see that Woody was helping Mr. Wizard. Mr. Wizard shot a cup off of Woody's head with an "air cannon," and also blew out a candle with it. He then visibly showed the airflow with a large smoke ring maker. Slim even caught one of the smoke rings on his head.

I don't know how the world of "TP'ing" is where you live, but around here, this time of year, trees turn white long before it snows :) and I had wondered just how many hours it took for kids to cover the trees as completely as they do these days. Well, we found out when Mr. Wizard used a leaf blower to blow a roll of toilet paper into the audience in just a few seconds!!! So that's how they do it! :D

Before the show, unblown balloons were passed out to the audience. And they were used to demonstrate the scientific principle behind the temperature change you feel when you hold the uninflated balloon to your skin (upper lip) and stretch it quicklyor unstretch it quickly--really neat! And then we put pennies in the balloons, and blew them up. Holding the balloon in one hand, we spun the penny around inside of the balloon and produced a gyroscopic effect that was really neat!

Also, he demonstrated why a baby cries when it has gas. Mr. Wizard filled a baby bottle with Diet Cokeand screwed on a nipple without a hole in it.. He then had Woody shake the bottle and the nipple blew up like a balloon!

The only other one I can remember (okay, I didn't remember--James had to remind me!), was when he had Woody inhale a gas from a balloon and it had the opposite effect as helium on his voice. It lowered it. He had Woody yodel with his new voice, and it was really neat!although not something to be tried at home! (Doug does a darned good impression of the gas's effect on a yodel in the last half of the series they did that night).<P>

This part of the show "saved" Jamie from the humiliation of having to go to school and do an oral report on an "Oh, yuk! Who would go see cowboys?!?" (to his friends) trip. Instead he reported on Mr. Wizard, and was able to keep his classmates' interest. :) I took a number of pictures of the Mr. Wizard portion of the show, and will try to get them up soon.

We took many, many pictures of the kids with our Cowboys Some of Jamie with the dancing cactus that he sat up by the campfireand that "Gramma!" forgot to turn on!!!! It was sound activated, and would have been cute had I remembered! And Jessica posed for picture after picture after picture, making the rounds to each cowboy a number of times! We got one real cute one of her in her "Woody Paul look alike hat and hatband." One of her on Bix's lap after she unexpectedly jumped on his lap and almost tumbled with him. And pictures with Slim and Doug as they autographed her Toy Story Woody doll.

At Woodstock, Woody Paul asked me to make him a new hatband, but I had no idea as to what to do for it. So in an e-mail that Linda delivered to the week before, I told him to think of what he would like on it. At the RRTs I asked, and he suggested I put his new "brand" autograph initials on it, which is what I have done. A computer graphic of the design that will be on it is located on my website and it is turning out really well!!!! I can't tell you what Woody thinks of it, 'cause that goes in the next review from Milwaukee last Friday night. :)

The only thing "wrong" with the trip, was that there wasn't enough time for socializing with the other Cyberpals! The Quality is a nice hotel, but unlike BCF, where we had a place to get together, much of our down time was just spent in our rooms. (Saturday morning I awoke with a migraine and had a two-hour recovery period. That was no fun at all). We were all on different floors and it didn't have the group feel like we had at BCF, especially with dj, Tiff and Jackie at dj's house.

While I have stayed at the Quality of number of times, I always get my directions crossed either going or coming from the theater, and this time was no exception. The only difference this time is that we had other folks following us, and had a caravan of lost Cyberpals. :) The last night Al missed a turn, and in my efforts to get us back on the right track, we ended up accidentally circling right back in front of the theater, and starting all over. :) But we didn't mind because we got to wave goodbye to the guys as they pulled out. :)

Donna from Canada, our honorary Cyberpal, took the arbitrary number of 200 as her starting point with the Cyberpals, and is now at 204. While she has no idea how many shows she has been to, she knows it would be over 200. She has been following the guys since she became a charter Saddlepal [Editor's note: I think that would be 1980 or so], and she's seen them everywhere from Canada to Elko, Nevada.

dj came home from the RRTs and went through all her old ticket stubs and records, and has finally figured out her show numbers. She now stands at 112! WOW!

I cannot think of a thing I would rather do than see our Cowboys--except for seeing them with other Cyberpals. Sharing a love make it that much more enjoyable!

Al, the kids and I all had a wonderful time I could write much more about it, but I'm limited as to time. As soon as I get copies of some pictures I gave the guys Friday--ones of them with JessicaI'll scan them and get them up on the web page. I only had one print of each, so I need to get new ones for us. :)

And that's about it from Melody Ranch.

So, catch ya all further on down the trail!

...and Ellen sez...

Both nights were wonderful!!! It was great to have so many Cyberpals present, and to meet Janet, Jackie and Tiff, who had just been names to me up until that point. Many thanks to donna j. and Ed for organizing the excellent group seating! It was a great vantage point to watch some really great entertainment. The clever scripts were delightfully nostalgic, and reminded me how much I miss the Riders' regular tapings. Joey's "Polka Countdown" selection of the old Gordon Lightfoot tune, "The Edmund Fitzgerald," nearly had me rolling in the aisles! And it was touching to see Woody's fiddle case open, displaying the pictures of his children inside the lid. Woody's little red electric mandolin was quite a hit, toohe can really play it! I purchased the new Christmas CD on Friday night, the first night it went on sale. Several of the Riders said it was the first one they had autographed! :)

All that being said, 'til donna j. rides your way once again, so long saddlepals! It's been so good to see ya!

donna j.

Every day, the Cowboy Way!

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