The Steel Guitar Forum

Someone posted a youtube of a band doing this a fewyears back . They were not a big name and I think they played with a US flag backdrop . Not much to go on but I have tried searching for this version with no luck at all

Was there a steel player? Some of the most popular versions are from the Outlaws, the Ventures, Johnny Cash, the Shadows. None of those have steel guitar.

Gerry Dog Walker of Stereo Steel fame does a version that is tabbed using delay to simulate doubling and has it for sale.

Larry Dering wrote:Was there a steel player? Some of the most popular versions are from the Outlaws, the Ventures, Johnny Cash, the Shadows. None of those have steel guitar.

The song would sound great with steel, especially after the line that says, "their boots were made of steel. The most recent version by the Outlaws features Henry Paul on lead vocals. I've played along with the song on steel, and I think the steel would work great with it

I've got it at the link below with C6 tab and a rhythm track:

http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Tab/Tab16.html

I think the 2nd verse is E9th. no tab for that. Perhaps the rhythm track would be useful for someone!

Brett, the line is "Their brands were still on fire and their hooves were made of steel".





The song lays particularly well on E9th, and we often did it as an instrumental with one of my previous bands (The Country Outlaws) back in the '70s and early '80s. I also remember doing the "Sons Of The Pioneers" (vocal version) back in the '60s with one of my first country bands, the Roane Brothers.

No steel guitar in this band

No steel guitar in this band

Here's a version of it with the Blues Brothers that has a huge american flag draped in the backgroung:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8sJm7ZecR8

I've been in a couple of bands where we performed that song as a novelty, almost like a cartoon comedy song, and it always rubbed me the wrong way... ever so slightly but enough to put a burr under my saddle blanket.

The lyrics of the song talk about sinning and redemption from sin through repentance and life changes. It's a serious topic that unfortunately has somehow gotten lost through the years.

Oh well, just sayin'...

Well said, Herb!

I agree Herb, it's a song that's instantly recognized, but seldom really listened to and understood. It's much like the old cowboy song "Home On The Range", which talks of (the white man?) forcing the indians off their ancestral tribal lands.

Doug Beaumier's version was so incredible, I bought a Rickenbacker S100, a Nashville 112, Doug's, Scotty's and Jerry's books and CDs. Started playing again after 43 years. This Forum blows me away. Feel like a kid again listening to steel with the top down on my Mustang driving out to meet Del Mullen and see an incredible guitar. Life is definitely better with inspiration. Way better with steel music. Bless you all.

i am with you Herbster!!

First heard that song in late forties sang by Von Manroe on the radio. been going to church for most of my 71 years. Never heard a sermon in my life that paints a picture for you like that song.

Still one of my all time favorites.

Fred

VAUGHN MONROE, GHOST, RIDERS IN THE SKY, A COWBOY LEGEND
Vaughn recorded the song several times, but no date is available for this version.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UluM5trt47I

Roger
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"(Ghost) Riders in the Sky: A Cowboy Legend" is a Cowboy-styled Country/Western song written in 1948 by American songwriter Stan Jones. A number of versions were crossover hits on the pop charts in 1949. The ASCAP database lists the song as "Riders in the Sky"
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