In 2015, Ray Benson published an autobiography, Comin' Right at Ya (co-authored by David Menconi), chronicling his life and the history of Asleep at the Wheel. RB: The last line of what I said was, “Don’t believe that right-wing bullshit.” I’d been watching TV and it was the same old bullshit: “Oh we have all the tests we need,” but I couldn’t get a fuckin’ test! Ray Benson, co-founder and frontman of country band Asleep at the Wheel, has detailed his battle with coronavirus. … Katie Shore from my band and her husband both had an episode in the end of February and just figured they had colds. Musician - Asleep at The Wheel. Ray Benson, leader of Grammy-winning country band Asleep at the Wheel, is updating fans about his condition after he tested positive for the coronavirus. Photo courtesy Ray Benson. Ray Benson fell in love with western swing because of its unique combination of elements of American blues, swing and traditional fiddling but also for its demanding musical chops. The leader of the Texas-based band alerted fans on Facebook Tuesday morning (March 31), but says he remains optimistic. I didn’t have a fever or cough, but I was sick. We will be playing your favorite Asleep at the Wheel classics and holiday songs from our 3 Christmas records all from the Texas North Pole! As a teenager, Philadelphia native Ray Benson fell hard for traditional American roots music and by 1970 he'd become the founding leader of a nimble, road-rambling band called Asleep At The Wheel. A Ride With Bob includes the live performance of 15 of Wills’ best-known songs in a plot that interweaves Ray Benson’s present day with various stages in Wills’ storied career. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. Plans for a 50th anniversary Asleep at the Wheel reunion show and recording session in the band’s hometown of Austin had been done in by the coronavirus. AC: What does that mean for a band in a financial sense, having all those opportunities go away? Against all odds, Asleep At the Wheel is one of these. (CelebrityAccess) – Ray Benson, frontman of Grammy-winning country band Asleep at the Wheel, has released a statement to fans updating them on his condition after testing positive for COVID-19 a few weeks back. Ray Benson has been one of the strongest names in Country Music for the last forty years. A… He is also a trustee for the Texas chapter of NARAS, a board member of St Davids Community Health Foundation, and a board member and founding member of Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM). Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel. These days the kings of Western Swing, Asleep at the Wheel and Benson, with his deep baritone vocals, have come a long way from those humble beginnings. See more. Four days later, I’m still feeling really bad. The Wheel played country standards “Cocaine Blues” and “Truck Drivin’ Man”—as straight as a band could be with a long-haired, barefoot guitarist standing 6-foot-7. RB: No. My right hamstring was so messed up I couldn’t bend over.”, “We used to joke about Asleep at the Wheel being the disaster band because we got stranded when Mount St. Helens erupted, we were playing a gig outside of Three Mile Island when [the nuclear reactor melted down], and we were scheduled to play the White House when 9-11 happened.”, Benson and Katie Shore leading Asleep at the Wheel at ACL Fest 2018, “Fifty years ago, I went to a lecture by Paul Ehrlich, who wrote that book [, “I was on the Marijuana Policy Project board for a number of years. Join Facebook to connect with Ray Benson and others you may know. Asleep at the Wheel … Asleep at the Wheel bandleader Ray Benson has announced he’s recovered from COVID-19. Asleep At The Wheel Tour View All. Ray Benson is best known as the co-founder of the country music band Asleep at the Wheel.The band, founded in 1969, has won nine Grammy Awards. Tickets . I kind of equate it to horse racing and how stupid we’ve been on that when we’re surrounded by Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Above Bismeaux Studio A. Chris and Martin Theophilus (Phantom Productions, Inc.) interviewed Ray Benson at Bismeaux Studio B for the Museum of Magnetic Sound Recording. It started as the best year ever. Ray Benson, co-founder and frontman of country band Asleep at the Wheel, has detailed his battle with coronavirus. In 1973, their debut album, Comin' Right at Ya, was released by United Artists. Later he had the opportunity to work with executive producer Tom Hoitsma to host the Texas Music Scene TV, which showcases Texas bands. Nov 16, 2020. Join us at 11pm ET for a one-hour New Year’s Eve performance on special episode of Ray Benson’s “Austin Outer Limits” on SiriusXM Willie's Roadhouse, channel 59! Heck, they were Americana before anybody really knew what Americana was. That same year, Asleep at the Wheel released their third Bob Wills tribute album, Still the King: Celebrating the Music of … In 2015, Ray Benson published an autobiography, Comin' Right at Ya (co-authored by David Menconi), chronicling his life and the history of Asleep at the Wheel. Find album reviews, stream songs, credits and award information for Greatest Hits Live - Asleep at the Wheel on AllMusic In addition to his work with Asleep at the Wheel, Benson is also an accomplished producer whose credits include albums by Dale Watson, Suzy Bogguss, Aaron Watson, James Hand and Carolyn Wonderland; also single tracks for Willie Nelson, Aaron Neville, Brad Paisley, Pam Tillis, Trace Adkins, Merle Haggard, and Vince Gill. The last thing the police force wants to do is arrest pot smokers. For 50 + years, Ray has overseen the release of 25+ albums, countless tours, and has won nine Grammy Awards. In 1990 he founded Bismeaux Records and Bismeaux Studios. The band will perform at Allegany High School on March 8 as part of the Tri-State Concert Association’s Country LIVE! Photo by Scott Newton courtesy of Austin City Limits. One afternoon this March, the visage of Ray Benson, founder and leader of the band Asleep at the Wheel, flickered before my eyes. Ray is the founder of the world-renowned Western swing band - Asleep at the Wheel. The thing is this, why does this all happen? Benson was inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame in 2002, was given The Texas Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996, and recognized as an Outstanding Producer by the National Academy of Recording Arts in 1988. If they want me to testify, I’ve been using marijuana for 52 years and have a pretty good track record of community service, family, etc. He has also been given numerous Citations of Achievement by Broadcast Music, Inc. for his work in the country music field. Some 100 musicians have played with Asleep at the Wheel over the years and today Benson remains its only original member. Ray is the founder of the world-renowned Western swing band - Asleep at the Wheel. The 69-year-old Grammy-winner announced the news Wednesday night … Benson said somehow they got the club’s owner to pay them $50 — a low payday even in 1970. So we have the technology down and we’re gonna start figuring this out. The Very Best of Asleep at the Wheel is the 16th studio album by American country band Asleep at the Wheel.Recorded at Bismeaux Studio in Austin, Texas and Bradley's Barn in Nashville, Tennessee, it was produced by the band's frontman Ray Benson and released on June 5, 2001 by Relentless Nashville, an imprint of Madacy Entertainment Group.The album was issued in the United Kingdom in … RB: Nope. What does that entail? It didn’t even enter my mind. I started playing music when… Continue Reading → Musician - Asleep at The Wheel. © Provided by Austin American-Statesman Ray Benson, front man for Asleep At The Wheel, performs with Willie Nelson on Austin City Limits for the band's 25th anniversary in 1995. In February 2009, Asleep at the Wheel and Willie Nelson released "Willie And The Wheel," a western swing collaboration suggested by veteran producer Jerry Wexler. For God’s sake, Oklahoma has medicinal marijuana! Him and I are both 69. It’s too many people.”. Tickets . On Aug. 25, 1970, Asleep at the Wheel played their first gig, opening for Hot Tuna and Alice Cooper in Washington, D.C. On Aug. 25, 1970, Asleep at the Wheel played their first gig, opening for Hot Tuna and Alice Cooper in Washington, D.C. Ray Benson is famous for being the leader of the country band, "Asleep at the Wheel," noted for their Grammy Award-winning exploits.. New recipes and food news delivered Mondays, All questions answered (satisfaction not guaranteed). For 50 + years, Ray has overseen the release of 25+ albums, countless tours, and has won nine Grammy Awards. Ray Benson is best known as the co-founder of the country music band Asleep at the Wheel.The band, founded in 1969, has won nine Grammy Awards. I’ve already done a little bit of politicking on the medical side. Join us at 11pm ET for a one-hour New Year’s Eve performance on special episode of He has since recovered and continues to appear in streaming performances during the worldwide pandemic. While Ray Benson's indefatigable Western swing revival outfit Asleep at the Wheel has … If Ray Benson isn’t onstage, he can likely be found on his bus, talking music with one of his bandmates in Asleep at the Wheel, big fat joint in hand. That’s what’s left. 5.0 (4) See all reviews. AC: Was going public with having COVID-19 intended to be a message for people who weren’t taking it seriously? Check out the discussion between Terry Lickona and Ray Benson at the legendary Studio 6a to learn this and more! After being mentioned in Rolling Stone magazine by Van Morrison, they landed a record deal with United Artists. 2020 began as a banner year for Asleep at the Wheel. This was the location of the first paid gig for Asleep at the Wheel in 1970, according to lead singer Ray Benson. I said, “What’s that?” She said, “It’s a COVID test.”, Twenty-four hours later, they said, “You’re positive.”. Can't keep up with happenings around town? As a teenager, Philadelphia native Ray Benson fell hard for traditional American roots music and by 1970 he’d become the founding leader of a nimble, road-rambling band called Asleep At The Wheel. Asleep at the Wheel’s Ray Benson has tested positive for COVID-19. Asleep at the Wheel's Ray Benson Announces COVID-19 Diagnosis Asleep at the Wheel frontman Ray Benson has revealed that has tested positive for the coronavirus, sharing the news with fans on Facebook on Tuesday, March 31. For God’s sake, Oklahoma has medicinal marijuana!”, GSD&M b-day bash for Asleep at the Wheel leader runs three hours, The unofficial Teapot Party anthem and other half-baked ideas, Ambitions inch higher as the Lege finds common ground on cannabis, One click gets you all the newsletters listed below, Breaking news, arts coverage, and daily events. Ray Benson and Asleep At the Wheel were American way before Americana was cool. The 69-year-old Grammy-winner announced the news Wednesday night in … We used to joke about Asleep at the Wheel being the disaster band because we got stranded when Mount St. Helens erupted, we were playing a gig outside of Three Mile Island when [the nuclear reactor melted down], and we were scheduled to play the White House when 9-11 happened. In 1970, Benson, a Jewish [4] native of Philadelphia, formed Asleep at the Wheel with friends Lucky Oceans and Leroy Preston in Paw Paw, West Virginia. It took 12 days before I was well enough to function. Photo: Asleep at the Wheel Atlanta Music Scene | April 2, 2020 It had been a rough two weeks. Nelson has a long-time interest in western swing and had toured with the band in 2007. For Sam and Aaron Seifert, creating a TV special to honor the 50th anniversary of Asleep At The Wheel means honoring the legacy of Austin City Limits and indeed the city of Austin itself. The play continues to tour throughout the country. Then, we’ll do virtual meet-n-greet with me and Katie for X amount of dollars on Zoom. In 2003, Benson released his first solo album entitled Beyond Time. My right hamstring was so messed up I couldn’t bend over. Their “At Home Dance” encourages fans to roll up the rug and two-step. We’re doing it out at the Starlight Ranch, this little old town they built that looks like Fifties Texas. Homeless.” The truth in that it’s been awful tough in Austin to be a working musician and even a successful road musician. Benson has been presented numerous awards throughout his career. The 21st, I dragged myself to Austin Regional Clinic. The biggest obstacle, from my research, is the man named Dan fuckin’ Patrick. Ray Benson founded Asleep At The Wheel in 1970. At this age, your muscles get too fuckin’ tight if you stop doing stuff. About a week and a half ago, they tested for antibodies. We have that technology, but it’s not everywhere. Note that I didn't qualify it as 'country swing' or 'western swing' — these categorizations are much too small for this band. Son Aaron, 29, edits movie trailers in Los Angeles. We have tickets and exclusive holiday bundles including VIP Zoom meet and greets with Ray Benson or Katie Shore as well as all of your Asleep at the Wheel gift needs available now. The stars aligned in 1970 when three friends Ray Benson, Lucky Oceans and Leroy Preston moved to Paw Paw, West Virginia (it’s not a … SXSW Music Live: Willie Nelson and Avett Brothers Fête Ray Benson, New Austin Music Worth Your Bandwidth This Week. Nonetheless, the irrepressible country torchbearers livestream into living rooms on Saturday. I kind of equate it to horse racing and how stupid we’ve been on that when we’re surrounded by Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. The Grammy-winning Austin singer-guitarist announced the news on his Facebook page, saying he … And that’s not even taking into account law enforcement. In 1969, Ray Benson and Lucky Oceans (Reuben Gosfield) co-founded Asleep at the Wheel in Paw Paw, West Virginia, and soon after they found themselves opening for Alice Cooper and Hot Tuna in Washington, DC. RB: We decided to do something online and I said, “Well, let’s have ’em dance.” We’re gonna play dance music. By Craig Havighurst. RB: The old joke was, “What’s a musician without a girlfriend? … In 1990 he founded Bismeaux Records and Bismeaux Studios. Photo courtesy Ray Benson. [citation needed]. That’s fine, but I think it’s still a little early for that. I did the Luck [Reunion livestream] on March 19, and on the 20th, I went down. That way there’s a larger than iPad-sized image to enjoy and also some kind of interconnectivity between the audience and the bands. Asleep At the Wheel have demonstrated convincingly, that they are more relevant, enjoyable and musically nimble than at anytime in its 50-year history. Ray Benson and Asleep At the Wheel were American way before Americana was cool. Some 100 musicians have played with Asleep at the Wheel over the years and today Benson remains its only original member. A year later, they moved to East Oakland, California, at the invitation of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. RB: Absolutely. AC: You’ve been a working musician for over 50 years. It was heartwarming. The entire band – Tony Garnier plays with Bob Dylan, Chris O’Connell is in San Francisco, Lucky [Ocean]’s in Australia, Leroy [Preston]’s in Vermont, etc – was coming in to make an album and we were filming that. Be sure to tune in to PBS on October 31st for “ACL Presents: 50 Years of Asleep at the Wheel” check your local listings! The group relocated to Austin in 1973 after a suggestion from Willie Nelson. Some other acts are having people in the audience while they do their livestream. It’s not the environment. It’s not so much for me. [citation needed], "A Jewish singer towers over country western scene", Tribute to the Music of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, Ride with Bob: A Tribute to Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, Still the King: Celebrating the Music of Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, Back to the Future Now: Live at Arizona Charlie's, Las Vegas, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ray_Benson&oldid=985583180, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2020, Articles with weasel words from September 2019, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2016, Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Singer, Songwriter, Actor, Voice Actor, Producer, This page was last edited on 26 October 2020, at 19:23. Now, not only are wives and girlfriends out of work, but the venues are closing and the income streams are narrower. We will be playing your favorite Asleep at the Wheel classics and holiday songs from our 3 Christmas records all from the Texas North Pole! In an interview, Benson said that when he was on the Board of Directors for Austin City Limits, he urged them to start a spin-off show that focused on Texas bands because Austin City Limits had grown beyond its original scope to become an international show. AC: When you yourself got COVID-19, did you do the mental contract tracing, thinking, “Who gave this to me?”. Then in October, we had this huge, two-day concert planned, with all these guest stars at the Long Center – outside and inside. Support the free press, so we can support Austin. We have tickets and exclusive holiday bundles including VIP Zoom meet and greets with Ray Benson or Katie Shore as well as all of your Asleep at the Wheel gift needs available now. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands. Copyright © 1981-2021 Austin Chronicle Corp. All rights reserved. They were all very temporary in terms of the effect on the existence of a band or venue. We can help. Check out their upcoming tour dates here! Vernon Penner photo from the … Benson is also a founding member of the Rhythm and Blues Foundation, which raises money to help aging R&B artists, and a member of the board of directors of the SIMS Foundation, which provides low-cost mental health services to Austin musicians and their families. It’s ridiculous. You can watch the full discussion now on our website. It took 12 days before I was well enough to function. Entering the rarified arena of bands lasting a half century uninterrupted, Austin’s Western swing legends planned a year-long celebration. Frontman Ray Benson phoned in last week to discuss the landmark year few predicted. The String – Ray Benson on Asleep At The Wheel at 50. The event was a replacement for the planned "Luck Reunion" scheduled to hold this year. Ray Benson is a big guy. You can push back the furniture, roll up the rug, and have a dance with your wife, girlfriend, or significant other. Above Bismeaux Studio A. Chris and Martin Theophilus (Phantom Productions, Inc.) interviewed Ray Benson at Bismeaux Studio B for the Museum of Magnetic Sound Recording. Ray Benson is the leader of the legendary Americana band Asleep At The Wheel. Photo: Asleep at the Wheel Fifty years ago, I went to a lecture by Paul Ehrlich, who wrote that book [The Population Bomb] and said, “We have one problem. So fuck you! That same year, Asleep at the Wheel released their third Bob Wills tribute album, Still the King: Celebrating the Music of … Read More. Ray Benson. We wanted to tape it outdoors, because some of the guys have compromised respiratory systems. His son, Sam, 32, has produced the group’s last two albums and plays guitar on them. Asleep at the Wheel is a contemporary torchbearer for the subgenre of country music known as Western swing, a more danceable kind of country music that originated in the 1920s. I have another friend who’s an epileptic and moved to Oregon to get her medicine. Asleep at the Wheel bandleader Ray Benson has announced he’s recovered from COVID-19. His son, Sam, 32, has produced the group’s last two albums and plays guitar on them. Nothing. Paul Shaffer and Vince Gill also perform on this album. That’s why I said earlier about the big screen TV. Asleep at the Wheel and Ray Benson are hosting the first-ever Texas Dance Hall Tour, scheduled from March 20 –26, to raise awareness and funds for Texas Dance Hall Preservation, Inc. “We have aligned with Texas Dance Hall Preservation because dance halls are where we started and where we are still,” said Benson, who has been playing Texas dance halls for 43 years. Asleep at the Wheel is a contemporary torchbearer for the subgenre of country music known as Western swing, a more danceable kind of country music that originated in the 1920s. Out January 10th. 2020 began as a banner year for Asleep at the Wheel. Ray Benson, lead singer for Asleep at the Wheel, will be crooning his particular brand of American roots music at Schroeder Hall on Jan. 16 after the … 5.0 (4) See all reviews. A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for almost 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. We were playing shows with George Strait for 15,000-20,000 people. This has shut everything down. Because there’s too many people and people go to places they never did before. Benson stars in the play, along with members of Asleep at the Wheel. Benson founded Asleep at the Wheel in 1970 along with several friends, including his former Philadelphia schoolmate Lucky Oceans, a pedal steel guitar … The group relocated to Austin in 1973 after a suggestion from Willie Nelson. "Well folks, the bad news I've contracted the corona virus!!" Here’s my assessment of what needs to happen: Everybody needs to understand how to take their damn phone and project it on a flatscreen television. Nobody’s buying physical products, not compared to what it used to be. I just knew I was sick. Ray Benson, Asleep at the Wheel, Katie Shore, Lucky Tubb, Tony Garnier, Bob Dylan, Chris O'Connell, Lucky Ocean, Leroy Preston, Christopher Cross, John Prine, Paul Ehrlich, Starlight Ranch, Marijuana Policy Project, Information is power. Do you see this time as an opportunity for the legalization and recreational sale of cannabis in Texas? I was just in bed. Watch the teaser video for the upcoming single "I Got Rhythm" from Deborah Silver with Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel! In 1970, Benson, a Jewish native of Philadelphia, formed Asleep at the Wheel with friends Lucky Oceans and Leroy Preston The group relocated to Austin in 1973 after a suggestion from Willie Nelson Since then, the group has released more than 20 albums and earned 9 Grammy awards Safe to say you never experienced anything shaking up your profession like COVID-19? I’d lost 35 pounds. Well, on my computer screen, actually, courtesy of FaceTime. In 1970, Benson, a Jewish native of Philadelphia, formed Asleep at the Wheel with friends Lucky Oceans and Leroy Preston in Paw Paw, West Virginia. I’m dealing with a very sick person who is dying right now and who’s benefitting from the use of marijuana. You know, Christopher Cross couldn’t walk, but I’m pretty sure it’s the same thing – just laying in bed too much. Asleep at the Wheel frontman Ray Benson originally revealed on March 31 that he had been diagnosed with COVID-19, announcing the news on Facebook.After his story made the news, Benson shared an official statement thanking family, friends and fans for their messages, telling those who reached out that he appreciates it "more than you know." Ray Benson is on Facebook. AC: Asleep at the Wheel presents the At Home Dance livestream this Saturday, July 25. I never wanted to monetize interactions, but at this point, what else are we gonna do? Ray Benson founded Asleep At The Wheel in 1970. Ray Benson, backstage at ACL Fest in 2018. “I was dizzy, nauseous, and deadbeat tired. The band, though; it’s so hard to keep a band together, and financially, it’s tough right now. ... Asleep at the Wheel has sung the gospel of swing for nearly 30 years, garnered all kinds of critical and popular success, and, always, played great music. I was dizzy, nauseous, and deadbeat tired. When this happened and all our things got cancelled, the fundraising people said we can do this online and we did all that. The 6’7” Ray Benson has been the one constant in Asleep At the Wheel since 1970. To be honest with you, I got more tired because I had people calling me who hadn’t talked to me for 10 fucking years!

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