Chris O'Connell,
Floyd Domino,
Ray Benson,
Lucky Oceans,
Johnny Gimble,
Danny Levin,
Falkner Evans,
Larry Franklin,
Michael Francis,
Tim Alexander,
David Sanger,
Leroy Preston,
Chris York,
Ricky Turpin,
Pat Ryan,
John Mitchell,
Bucky Meadows,
Bill Mabry,
Scott Hennige,
John Ely,
Cindy Cashdollar
Representative Albums: "Comin' Right at Ya/Texas Gold," "Western Standard Time," "A Tribute to the Music of Bob Wills & the Texas Playboys"
Representative Songs: "Miles and Miles of Texas," "House of Blue Lights," "Choo Choo Ch'boogie"
Biography
Since the early '70s, Asleep at the Wheel has been the most important force in keeping the sound of Western swing alive. In reviving the freewheeling, eclectic sensibility of Western swing godfather Bob Wills, the Wheel earned enthusiastic critical praise throughout their lengthy career; they not only preserved classic sounds that had all but disappeared from country music, but were also able to update the music, keeping it a living, breathing art form. Typically featuring 8-11 musicians, the group has gone through myriad personnel changes (at last count, over 80 members had passed through their ranks), but 6'7" frontman Ray Benson has held it together for over three decades, keeping Asleep at the Wheel a viable recording and touring concern and maintaining their devotion to classic-style Western swing.
Singer/guitarist Benson was born Ray Benson Seifert and grew up listening to a variety of music in Philadelphia, especially jazz. He formed Asleep at the Wheel in Paw Paw, WV, in 1970, along with longtime friend Lucky Oceans (born Reuben Gosfield; steel guitar) and Leroy Preston (rhythm guitar). They soon added a female singer in Chris O'Connell, who was fresh out of high school. Initially, the group played straight-ahead country in local venues, but quickly switched to Western swing when they discovered the music through Merle Haggard (specifically his Bob Wills tribute album) and eclectic country-rockers Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen. In fact, Commander Cody helped the group sign with his own manager, Joe Kerr, who convinced them to move to San Francisco in late 1971. They subsequently added keyboardist Floyd Domino, and secured a residency at Berkeley's Longbranch Saloon. Praise from Van Morrison in a Rolling Stone article helped them land a record deal with United Artists, which released their debut album, Comin' Right at Ya, in 1973.
In 1974, Asleep at the Wheel relocated to the roots music haven of Austin, TX, and also switched labels to Epic. Their self-titled label debut appeared that same year, and their cover of Louis Jordan's "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" became their first single to hit the country charts. Afterwards, they added fiddler Lisa Silver and trumpeter Bobby Womack, and hopped labels again to Capitol. 1975's Texas Gold was their breakthrough album, climbing into the country Top Ten and producing their only Top Ten hit on the country singles charts, "The Letter That Johnny Walker Read." That year they performed on the first non-pilot episode of Austin City Limits, and although they continued to experience personnel shifts, they turned out a string of excellent albums over the rest of the decade: Wheelin' and Dealin' (1976), The Wheel (1977), and Collision Course (1978), the latter of which featured their first Grammy winner in the instrumental cover of Count Basie's "One O'Clock Jump."
Asleep at the Wheel moved to MCA for 1980's Framed, but all was not well: founding member Lucky Oceans left the group that year, and Chris O'Connell took a leave of absence to start a family not long after. Plus, the group was heavily in debt, forcing them to work on commercials and movie soundtracks. The financial problems conspired to keep them off record for the next few years, and when they returned on Dot/MCA with a self-titled album in 1985, they were virtually ignored. Following the small-label release Pasture Prime later that year, Benson did some moonlighting as a producer, and soon managed to get a second shot with Epic. By now, O'Connell had returned, and the new lineup featured fiddler Larry Franklin, steel guitarist John Ely, pianist/accordionist Tim Alexander, saxophonist Mike Francis, bassist Jon Mitchell, and drummer David Sanger. This unit recorded the major comeback effort, Asleep at the Wheel 10, in 1987, which brought them back to the Top 20 of the country album and singles charts (the latter via "House of Blue Lights") for the first time in over a decade. Additionally, the album's "String of Pars" won them their second Grammy for Best Country Instrumental, and featured contributions from fiddle legend and onetime Texas Playboy Johnny Gimble. The 1988 follow-up, Western Standard Time, continued their momentum, winning another Best Country Instrumental Grammy for "Sugarfoot Rag."
In 1990, Asleep at the Wheel moved to Arista and recorded Keepin' Me Up Nights, which flopped in comparison to its two predecessors. Major personnel turnover ensued, with O'Connell leaving a second time, and Benson regrouped with Francis, Sanger, fiddler Ricky Turpin, bassist David Miller, and steel guitarist/dobroist Cyndi Cashdollar. They issued two albums on Liberty/Capitol, the acclaimed, guest-laden A Tribute to the Music of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys (1993; featuring the Grammy-winning instrumental "Red Wing") and The Wheel Keeps on Rollin' (1995). Their next major studio project, Ride With Bob, was released by DreamWorks in 1999 and featured fiddler Jason Roberts (a young relative of Johnny Gimble) and pianist/second fiddler Chris Booher. It was the group's second explicit tribute to Bob Wills, and it attracted even more positive attention than the first, winning multiple Grammys and drawing non-country collaborators like the Manhattan Transfer and Squirrel Nut Zippers. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
Ray Benson
Elizabeth McQueen
David Earl Miller
Eddie Rivers
Jason Roberts
David Sanger
Dan Walton
Former members
Jann Browne
Tommy Beavers
Richard Fitzhugh Lucky Oceans
Wally Murphy
Chris O'Connell
Jim Murphy
LeRoy Preston
Floyd Domino
Daniel Levin
Tony Garnier
Scott Hennige
Ed Vizard
Haydn Vitera
Chris Boozr Cindy Cashdollar
Tim Alexander
Michael Francis Buddy Spicher
Gene Dobkin
Richard Casanova
Johnny Nicholas
John Whitby
Bobby Black
In 1974, they released their second album, Asleep at the Wheel with a cover of Louis Jordan's "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie", which was their first single to hit the country charts. The following year saw the release of Texas Gold as the group's third album with the top-ten Country hit single The Letter that Johnny Walker Read. In addition, they played on PBS's Austin City Limits, where they have since performed a record-setting ten times.[2] In 1977, the band was voted Best Country Western Band by Rolling Stone Magazine and was awarded the Touring Band of the Year by the Academy of Country Music. They also went on tour with Emmylou Harris in Europe.[2] The following year, they made a cover of Count Basie's song "One O'Clock Jump".[1] Also in 1980, they appeared in the movie Roadie, along with Meat Loaf, Blondie and Art Carney. By the end of the decade, the band recorded their first live album Served Live at the Austin Opera House.[2]
1980 - 1989
The 1980s became a turbulent decade for the band. After moving to MCA, co-founder Lucky Oceans left the band, and Chris O'Connell left in September 1986 due to her pregnancy. Asleep at the Wheel gathered a large amount of debt that required them to work on commercials and movie soundtracks. This band produced the soundtrack for the film Liar's Moon.
In 1985 the band released a virtually ignored self-titled album.[1] By the late 1980s, Ray Benson had done some producing, allowing the band a second chance with Epic Records. In 1987, the band released 10, which won them their second Grammy for Best Country Instrumental helping to launch their comeback. The album also had contributions from legendary fiddle player and onetime Texas Playboys member Johnny Gimble.[1] The following year, the band released Western Standard Time, which won them another Grammy for Best Country Instrumental.[1] The late 1980s also saw the growth of Jann Browne as a solo vocalist in the group; she would later embark on a solo career on Curb Records.[4]
1990 - 1999
The band moved to Arista Records and released the album, Keepin' Me Up Nights. Soon after, the band saw turnover as old members left and new members entered. In 1991, Ray Benson directed the music[2] and co-starred in the movie Wild Texas Wind with Dolly Parton.[5] In honor of the 66th anniversary of Route 66, the band launched the Route 66 Tour.[2] In 1993, the band released the instant hit[2]A Tribute to the Music of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys to much critical acclaim with several guest musicians.[1] Two years later, the band celebrated their 25th anniversary[2] by releasing The Wheel Keeps on Rollin'.[1] In 1999, the band and Dreamworks released Ride with Bob, as their second tribute album to Bob Wills. This album became an instant hit and garnered the band two Grammy wins, one for Best Country Instrumental,[2] and the other for Best Package Design.
In 2000, the Dixie Chicks were nominated for an Award for Vocal Event of the Year for "Roly Poly" with Asleep At The Wheel from the Country Music Association.[7][dead link] That same year, the band toured with Bob Dylan and George Strait.Benson brought together some of the best talent in country music today to record the tribute to Wills and Texas swing music, including Dwight Yoakum, Vince Gill, Merle Haggard, the Dixie Chicks, and Willie Nelson.[8][2] On September 11, 2001, the band was scheduled to play at the White House, but the performance was postponed.[2] In 2003, the band released Live at Billy Bob's Texas, and by the latter part of the decade, in 2007, the band released 3 albums. The first was Reinventing the Wheel an entirely new set of songs, including a collaboration with The Blind Boys of Alabama. The band also released a two disc set Kings of Texas Swing.[9] Also in 2007, their second Christmas album was released, Santa Loves to Boogie.
Asleep at the Wheel received 6 Austin Music Awards for their efforts in 2007 including Band of the Year, Songwriter of the Year (Benson), Country Band of the Year, Record Producer of the Year (Benson), Male Vocals of the Year (Benson) and Acoustic Guitar Player of the Year (McQueen).[10]
A Ride With Bob
As the 100th anniversary of Bob Wills' birth (March 6, 1905, in Kosse, Texas) approached, friends suggested that Benson and his Asleep at the Wheel band do something to mark the occasion. "Some folks wanted another tribute album," Benson said. "But we'd already done two. I felt like we'd be cashing in on Bob's ghost." Benson was kicking around ideas with writer friend Anne Rapp, a West Texas native who had written scripts for two of director Robert Altman's films. She asked Benson whether he'd ever met Wills. Benson said that he had, but never got to talk to him. "That's it: The conversation you never had," Rapp said. Benson, playing himself, boards a tour bus for a gig in Tulsa. The mysterious driver turns out to be the spirit of Wills (Austin actor Marco Perella). Benson is taken on a tour of Wills' life, told in an uncomplicated "and then this happened" fashion. Members of The Wheel play the musicians, with fiddler Jason Roberts as Wills, and actors play various characters from Wills' life, including his five wives, former Texas Gov. W. Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel (Steve Uzzell, who also memorably plays a flamboyant Hollywood director) and a black man whose music inspired Wills (the excellent Timothy Curry). There are over 20 actors and musical numbers performed during the 2:40 minute musical. A Ride With Bob premiered in the spring of 2005 in Austin, TX to four sold out shows. The musical has been performed all across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. A Ride With Bob has also been performed in San Francisco as well as in Washington, D.C., at the Kennedy Center. Two unexpected guests were President George W. Bush and First LadyLaura Bush.
The play has been called "the most entertaining night in Texas" by Liz Smith from the New York Post.
Willie and the Wheel
In February of 2009, Ray Benson collaborated with Willie Nelson to release Willie and the Wheel. Legendary producer Jerry Wexler's long-overdue concept album takes Willie Nelson back to his musical roots. Teamed up with Ray Benson and the master musicianship of Asleep at the Wheel, this instant classic celebrates the timeless appeal of a most unique and spirited American music genre. Paul Shaffer and Vince Gill can also be found on this epic album.
Awards
Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have been presented numerous awards throughout their career. Most recently, the 16th Annual Midsouth Regional Emmy Award for the making of "A Ride With Bob", recognition by Mayor Kirk Watson of Austin, Texas, and the Darrel K. Royal Music Patron Award by The Texas Heritage Songwriters' Association. In 2007, The Austin Chronicle recognized Asleep at the Wheel for Band of the Year, Best Country Band, and into their Hall of Fame. 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. He has also been given numerous Citations of Achievement by Broadcast Music, Inc. for his work in the country music field. Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have been one of the strongest names in Country Music for the last forty years.
