Entertainment
New Riders of the Purple Sage to perform on Ridgefield stage
By Ridgefield Playhouse
Sep 26, 2008 - 7:14 AM

Their eponymous first album, "New Riders of the Purple Sage," was released in 1971 to widespread acclaim and a few years later the title track of "The Adventures of Panama Red" earned them their first gold. Now, the New Riders of the Purple Sage, led by David Nelson and Buddy Cage with Michael Falzarano, Ronnie Penque and Johnny Markowski, is coming to The Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and the Performing Arts on Saturday, October 25 at 8 p.m.

In the summer of 1969, John Dawson was looking to showcase his songs while Jerry Garcia, of the Grateful Dead, was looking to practice his new pedal steel guitar. The music they made became the nucleus for a band-the New Riders of the Purple Sage.

That same year, David Nelson joined the group on electric lead guitar. Filling out the rhythm section in those early days were Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart and Bob Matthews on bass, who was later replaced by Phil Lesh. Soon, smoky clubs all over the San Francisco bay area were filling up with whooping, foot-stomping crowds, as their music got tighter and more dynamic. When Garcia's busy schedule made it impossible to continue with the New Riders, the talented Buddy Cage stepped in to fill the pedal steel spot. The band had now emerged, creating a special brand of music-sweet country harmonies mixed with pulsing rock rhythms.

For tickets ($45) or more information, call the box office at (203) 438-5795 or go to www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is located at 80 East Ridge, which runs parallel to Main Street.

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