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| KG & The Ranger~ 20 Years Along The Trail |
Once upon a time...isn't that how all good stories start?This story is certainly a good one, with a happy not-over-yet still-going-strongending. It began over twenty years ago, in Madison Wisconsin, with a weekendstring band called Stone Soup and two members of that band who loved classiccowboy songs. As their duo spun off from Stone Soup in 1989, Karen Gogolickand Rick Roltgen named themselves "KG & The Ranger" and headed outalong the trail performing together. That same year they formed anotherkind of duo: husband and wife. Their career was launched in a modest waywith 3 shows that first year, and no thoughts (yet) of quitting their "dayjobs". Now, 20 years later, they are full-time professionals performingover 100 shows per year, with 5 albums and numerous awards to their credit.They have been making a living as cowboy entertainers since 2000. Three-timewinners of the Western Music Association's harmony yodeling contest, theyalso have received other awards for their harmony singing and showmanship.
Their love of classic cowboy music brought them together,but some good old "cowboy ingenuity" has led them down a few unexpectedtrails. There is another dimension to their western talents: The Ranger'salter ego "Shortcut Curly", an eight-foot-tall, stilt-walking, lariat-twirlingcowpoke! This performance sideline began as a short routine to kick offtheir school programs and get the kids involved in the show. Pretty soonit took off with a life of it's own as they got invitations to appear inparades and county fairs. That in turn inspired The Ranger to constructa miniature covered wagon, pulled by a humorous giant armadillo (drivenby KG, of course) to accompany the tall cowboy. Parades have included JohnWayne’s 100th birthday celebration, in Winterset IA, the Annie Oakley Daysparade in Greenville OH, and many others throughout Wisconsin.
Their musical career has had many rewards deeper thanjust a way to make a living. The spirit of the music and the "cowboy way"is a passion for them. Preserving these old western gems is as importantas contributing fresh new songs to the genre. Bringing back memories forsmall audiences of nursing home residents, or introducing school childrento this great music, is as important as filling a large theater with fans.The wholesome quality of this music acts as an antidote to many of today'sproblems. It has also brought them amazing opportunities to meet and sharea stage with musical heroes, including Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. Theyhave learned from the best, sharing shows with the Riders in the Sky, theSons of the San Joaquin, Michael Martin Murphey and too many others toname.
They would like to extend sincerest thanks to all thefans and friends who have made their incredible journey possible!
See their current performing schedule: AlongThe Trail
Karen Gogolick & RickRoltgen
2517 Waunona Way, MadisonWI 53713
608-222-4084
kg@kgandtheranger.com
All images areprotected by copyright ©1998 K. Gogolick