When Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson set foot on stage, you know you’re in for something majestic and their live Execution of “(Ghost) Riders in the Sky” from American Outlaws: Live at Nassau Coliseum (1990) is nothing less than iconic. The track, a haunting Western ballad, it comes to life with their deep, gravelly harmonies and outlaw charm.
The energy is electric as each legend goes on a verse, their vocals melding into a chorus that resounds through the arena “Yippie yi ooh, Yippie yi yay, Ghost riders in the sky.” The audience gets caught up in the mythical story of ghostly cowboys riding across stormy skies, herding cattle from beyond the grave. With every pluck of a guitar string and every shiver-inducing note, the Highwaymen remind us of what real outlaw country music sounds like.
(Ghost) Riders In the Sky (American Outlaws: Live at Nassau Coliseum, 1990)
But the evening is far from over—witness another iconic performance from Johnny Cash himself as he performs his memorable “Folsom Prison Blues”. It’s raw and real and full of the soul of the man in black.
Johnny Cash – Folsom Prison Blues – Live at San Quentin (Good sound quality)
For an all-time drive through the history of country music, don’t sleep on a complete collection of The Highwaymen’s best live sets. From “Highwayman” to “Silver Stallion,” it is a front-row seat to the greatest supergroup the genre ever knew.
Want to keep the outlaw flame burning? Keep up with The Highwaymen on social media for rare footage, newly-remastered classics, and more from the legends who shaped country music. Because once these cowboys ride, they ride forever.