Asleep At The Wheel

Asleep at the Wheel is a band that has made significant contributions to the Western Swing genre, a style of music that blends elements of jazz, country, and blues.

The band’s founder and frontman, Ray Benson, has been at the helm of Asleep at the Wheel since its inception in 1969, and has led the band through numerous changes in the music industry over the past five decades.

The band has collaborated with a wide range of musicians, from legendary artists like Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan to up-and-coming performers.

Asleep at the Wheel’s impact on the music industry cannot be overstated.

The band has won multiple Grammy Awards, and has been instrumental in keeping the Western Swing tradition alive and well.

Ray Benson has also been a strong advocate for music education, and has worked tirelessly to promote the importance of music in schools.

Asleep at the Wheel’s continued relevance in modern times is a testament to the band’s enduring appeal and the timeless quality of its music.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Asleep at the Wheel revitalized and modernized Western Swing music, a genre that traces back to the 1920s and was popularized by Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys.
The band faced challenges in gaining recognition beyond their local Austin fan base, but collaborated with iconic musicians and experimented with different genres and styles to evolve their sound.
Asleep at the Wheel’s lasting impact includes influencing countless musicians, establishing Austin as a hub for country, blues, and roots music, and paving the way for other artists to experiment with different genres.
Ray Benson, the band’s founder, also established the Texas Music Project, a non-profit organization providing music programs and instruments to schools and underserved communities across Texas, believing that music education is important for a well-rounded education.

The Origins of Western Swing Music

The development of Western Swing music can be traced back to the 1920s, when jazz and blues began to influence traditional country music in the southwestern United States. The resulting hybrid genre was characterized by a lively rhythm section, jazzy horn arrangements, and a distinctive swing feel. Western Swing music was also known for its improvisational nature, with musicians often taking extended solos and incorporating elements of other genres into their playing.

One of the key figures in the development of Western Swing music was Bob Wills, a fiddler and bandleader from Texas. Wills and his band, the Texas Playboys, were known for their energetic performances and unique blend of Western Swing, jazz, and blues. Their popularity helped to spread the Western Swing sound across the country, and they became one of the most influential bands of the era.

Today, Western Swing music remains popular among fans of country, jazz, and swing music, and its influence can still be heard in contemporary genres like rockabilly and alt-country.

Early Influences on Ray Benson’s Musical Career

From a young age, Ray Benson was exposed to a variety of musical genres such as jazz, blues, and country, which ultimately influenced his career in music. Benson grew up in Philadelphia and was surrounded by the sounds of the 1940s big band jazz scene. He also listened to blues musicians like T-Bone Walker and was exposed to country music through his mother’s love for Hank Williams. These early influences led Benson to develop a unique sound that blended elements of different genres.

As Benson’s career progressed, he continued to draw inspiration from a diverse range of musicians. In the 1970s, Benson moved to Austin, Texas, where he became part of the progressive country music scene. He collaborated with artists such as Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel, and his music began to reflect the influences of western swing and honky-tonk.

Benson’s commitment to incorporating different musical styles into his work has made him a respected figure in the country music industry, and his contributions to the genre continue to inspire musicians today.

Jazz, blues, and country music were Benson’s earliest influences
Benson’s unique sound is a blend of elements from different genres
Benson’s collaborations with other artists helped him to continue to evolve musically.

The Formation of Asleep at the Wheel

After moving to Austin, Texas in the 1970s, Ray Benson co-founded a band with several other musicians, which would later become known as Asleep at the Wheel. Benson was inspired by the western swing music of artists such as Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, and he sought to create a band that would revive and modernize the genre.

The original lineup of Asleep at the Wheel included Benson on guitar and vocals, Lucky Oceans on steel guitar, Leroy Preston on piano and vocals, and Reuben Gosfield on fiddle.

Asleep at the Wheel quickly gained a following in Austin, and their popularity spread throughout Texas and beyond. Their unique sound, which blended elements of western swing, country, and jazz, attracted fans from diverse musical backgrounds.

The band released their first album, ‘Comin’ Right At Ya,’in 1973, and it was a critical and commercial success. Over the years, Asleep at the Wheel has continued to evolve and innovate, collaborating with a wide range of artists and earning numerous awards and accolades for their contributions to American music.

The Band’s Early Successes and Struggles

During their early years, Asleep at the Wheel faced challenges in gaining recognition beyond their local Austin fan base, despite critical acclaim for their first album. One of the main struggles was finding a record label that was willing to take a chance on their unique blend of Western swing and traditional country music. They also faced resistance from radio stations who were unsure how to categorize their sound and were hesitant to play their music.

Despite these setbacks, the band continued to tour relentlessly, building a loyal fan base and earning a reputation as one of the most exciting live acts in Texas. To overcome their struggles, Asleep at the Wheel employed a number of strategies. They began to incorporate more rock and roll elements into their music, which made them more appealing to younger audiences and helped them gain a broader following.

They also started to collaborate with other artists in the country and rock genres, which helped to expand their fan base and increase their exposure. Additionally, they continued to tour extensively, playing hundreds of shows each year and building a reputation as one of the hardest working bands in the business. These efforts eventually paid off, and by the late 1970s, Asleep at the Wheel had become one of the most successful bands in the country music industry.

Collaborations with Iconic Musicians

Collaborating with iconic musicians from the country and rock genres helped Asleep at the Wheel expand their fan base and increase their exposure.

In 1975, the band collaborated with Willie Nelson, who was already a well-established country music artist. This collaboration led to the release of the album ‘Willie and the Wheel,’which featured a combination of western swing and traditional country music. The album received critical acclaim and helped to cement Asleep at the Wheel’s reputation as a leading western swing band.

Another iconic musician that Asleep at the Wheel collaborated with was Bob Wills, who was a pioneer in western swing. In 1993, the band released the album ‘Tribute to the Music of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys,’which featured covers of Wills’ songs. The album featured guest appearances from country music legends such as Reba McEntire and George Strait. The album was a commercial success and helped to revive interest in western swing music.

Overall, Asleep at the Wheel’s collaborations with iconic musicians helped the band to gain new fans and solidify their position as one of the leading western swing bands.

The Evolution of the Band’s Sound

The sound of the band has undergone significant changes over the years, reflecting the evolution of western swing music and the band’s experimentation with different genres and styles. From their early days as a traditional western swing band, Asleep at the Wheel has incorporated elements of jazz, blues, and rock into their sound.

Their music has become more complex and layered, with a greater emphasis on improvisation and experimentation.

The band’s early sound was heavily influenced by the western swing sound of Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys.
Asleep at the Wheel has collaborated with a wide range of musicians, including Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett, and the Dixie Chicks, which has contributed to the evolution of their sound.
The band has experimented with different instrumentation, adding horns, strings, and keyboards to their traditional lineup of guitars, fiddles, and steel guitars.
Asleep at the Wheel’s music has become more sophisticated and intricate, with complex rhythms and arrangements.
Despite these changes, the band has remained true to their roots, continuing to play and celebrate the music of western swing.

Overall, the evolution of Asleep at the Wheel’s sound has been a reflection of the changing landscape of western swing music and the band’s willingness to experiment with different genres and styles. While their music has become more complex and sophisticated over time, they have remained committed to the tradition of western swing, ensuring that the genre continues to thrive and evolve in the years to come.

Asleep at the Wheel’s Impact on the Music Industry

As a pioneering band in western swing music, Asleep at the Wheel has left a lasting impact on the music industry, influencing countless musicians and preserving a beloved genre for generations to come. The band’s unique blend of traditional country and swing music, combined with their virtuosic musicianship and dynamic performances, helped revitalize western swing in the 1970s and 1980s. Their influence can be heard in the music of contemporary country and Americana artists, as well as in the resurgence of interest in western swing among younger generations of musicians.

Asleep at the Wheel’s impact on the music industry extends beyond their contributions to western swing. The band has also been a driving force in the development of the Austin music scene, helping to establish the city as a hub for country, blues, and roots music.

Their success as an independent band, with multiple Grammy Awards and a dedicated fanbase, has inspired countless artists to pursue their own paths in the music industry. Through their music and their advocacy for traditional American music, Asleep at the Wheel has left an indelible mark on the industry and the culture it represents.

The Band’s Continued Relevance in Modern Times

Despite the passage of time, the pioneering music of Asleep at the Wheel remains relevant in modern times, inspiring a new generation of musicians to explore and embrace traditional American music. The band’s fusion of western swing, country, and jazz continues to captivate audiences worldwide, with their unique sound and style earning them numerous accolades throughout their career. Asleep at the Wheel’s timeless music has also been featured in various films and television shows, further cementing their place in American music history.

To fully appreciate the continued relevance of Asleep at the Wheel, it is important to understand the impact they have had on the music industry. Here are three ways the band has influenced modern American music:

Preservation of Traditional Music: Asleep at the Wheel’s music is a testament to the importance of preserving traditional American music. The band’s commitment to keeping these genres alive has inspired other musicians to explore and embrace their roots, leading to a renewed interest in western swing, country, and jazz.
Blending Genres: The band’s unique blend of western swing, country, and jazz has paved the way for other artists to experiment with different genres, resulting in a more diverse and dynamic music industry.
Honoring Musical Legends: Asleep at the Wheel has paid tribute to numerous musical legends throughout their career, including Bob Wills and Johnny Cash. By honoring these icons, the band has helped to keep their music alive and relevant for future generations.

Ray Benson’s Contributions to Music Education

Ray Benson’s passion for music education has led him to establish the Texas Music Project, a non-profit organization that provides music programs and instruments to schools and underserved communities across the state.

Benson, the lead vocalist and founding member of the western swing band Asleep at the Wheel, has been a strong advocate for music education for many years. He believes that music education is an important part of a well-rounded education and helps to develop skills such as creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork.

The Texas Music Project was founded in 2003 and has since provided music programs and instruments to schools and communities across Texas. The organization works with schools and community organizations to provide music education programs to students of all ages and backgrounds. Their goal is to ensure that every child in Texas has access to a quality music education program.

Benson has been an active member of the organization and continues to work tirelessly to promote music education in Texas and beyond.

What’s Next for Asleep at the Wheel?

Transitioning from Ray Benson’s contributions to music education, it is important to take note of the band’s current status and their plans for the future.

Asleep at the Wheel has been active in the music scene for more than four decades, and their influence in the industry has been widely recognized. With multiple awards and accolades, the band has been a significant force in keeping the Western Swing genre alive. However, their journey towards success has not been without challenges, and the band’s ability to overcome these obstacles has been a testament to their resilience and dedication.

Despite their long-standing success, Asleep at the Wheel shows no signs of slowing down. In recent years, the band has continued to release new music, tour extensively, and collaborate with other artists.

Their latest album, ‘New Routes,’which was released in 2018, features a variety of musical styles, showcasing the band’s versatility and willingness to explore new sounds. Additionally, the band has also been active in various philanthropic endeavors, using their platform to bring attention to important causes such as mental health and environmental conservation.

Looking towards the future, it is clear that Asleep at the Wheel remains committed to their music and their fans. With their passion for Western Swing and their ongoing efforts to push boundaries and innovate, the band is sure to continue making waves in the industry for years to come.

Asleep at the Wheel’s legacy is one that spans generations, and their influence on the genre will undoubtedly continue to be felt for years to come.