Photo Riders in the Sky will perform April 23 at the OK Theatre.

Scoring a major coup, the OK Theatre snagged renowned western music group, Riders in the Sky, for an April 23 concert at the venue. The group is the only act strictly dedicated to “western” or “cowboy” music to win a Grammy award. The group, in fact, won two of the awards in the past.

The four-man ensemble features “Ranger Doug,” known as “the Idol of American Youth” or alternatively as “the Governor of the State of Rhythm,” on guitar and lead and baritone vocals. He’s also an accomplished yodeler.

“Too Slim” performs tenor vocals, plays upright bass, and is the resident wit of the group.

Woody Paul, “King of the Cowboy Fiddlers,” sings both lead and tenor vocals and performs rope tricks.

“Joey, the Cowpolka King,” plays accordion. In the past, Joey played with musical luminaries as varied as Roy Rogers and U2. Joey is the newest member of the group.

The group played its first show in 1977, and unlike virtually every major musical act, has managed to retain its original members. Paul played with the group for a time in the ’80s and rejoined the group permanently in the ’90s.

Riders in the Sky have performed over 6,000 concerts, had their own TV and radio shows and have the distinction of being the only cowboy group that received and accepted an invitation to become Grand Ole Opry members. The group has received a number of music awards and is a Hall of Fame member of the Western Music Association. The group has no plans to retire.

Darrell Brann, owner of the OK Theatre, is excited about the prospect of hosting Riders in the Sky. It was he who had the idea of contacting the group for a show.

Brann grew up in Maine with parents who had a country western band and exposed him to the western genre of music. “I grew up with (Riders in the Sky) on TV in the ’80s and ’90s, and they were definitely a part of our life. I was always impressed with them,” Brann said.

When Brann first acquired the theater over a year ago, Riders in the Sky immediately crossed his mind as a desirable act to book. “I’ve been working on this for over a year to make it happen,” Brann said. He added that the Lostine Tavern is co-presenting the event.

The band is an expensive act to book, but was willing to negotiate with Brann and eventually reached an agreement with him. “They’re double Grammy winners and living legends, so to speak,” Brann said.

With the cost and the effort to secure the act, Brann is confident everyone, including attendees, will walk away winners. “Anyone who comes will be thoroughly impressed and entertained as well.” He added that even though he has not yet heavily advertised the event, a third of the tickets are already sold and he expects a total sell-out of the venue.

“This pushes our limits a bit, but it brings in something really worthwhile, and something we believe in,” Brann said.