Skip to Content
Stream Live
More Streaming Options
Recently Played
View Full Playlist
SUPPORT
‹ All Events

Asleep At the Wheel

SUPPORT

For over fifty years, Asleep at the Wheel’s Ray Benson has been traversing the globe as an ambassador of Western swing music and introducing its irresistible sound to generation after generation. More than 100 musicians have passed through the Wheel, but Benson remains the front man and the keeper of the vision, in the process racking up more than 30 albums, ten Grammy awards and literally millions of miles on the road.

“I’m the reason it’s still together, but the reason it’s popular is because we’ve had the greatest singers and players,” Benson explains. “When someone joins the band, I say, ‘Learn everything that’s ever been done, then put your own stamp on it.’ I love to hear how they interpret what we do. I’m just a singer and a songwriter, and a pretty good guitar player, but my best talent is convincing people to jump on board and play this music.”

Asleep at the Wheel has collaborated on records with genre-spanning friends, including Willie Nelson on 2009’s Grammy Nominated Willie and the Wheel and other critically acclaimed artists, including Brad Paisley, Jamey Johnson, Merle Haggard, George Strait, the Avett Brothers, Amos Lee, Old Crow Medicine Show and Lyle Lovett on Still the King, their 2015 critically acclaimed and Grammy winning tribute to Bob Wills. On their latest release, Half A Hundred Years, Asleep At The Wheel continued their contributions to the American music landscape when three original members of Asleep at the Wheel—Chris O’Connell, Leroy Preston, and Lucky Oceans—returned after 40 years to lend their voices and musicianship to a number of tracks on the album along with Emmylou Harris, Lee Ann Womack, George Strait, Lyle Lovett and Willie Nelson.

Asleep at the Wheel represents an important cornerstone of American roots music, even though some of its members and audiences represent a new generation. That far-reaching appeal remains a testament to Benson’s initial vision.

“It took me 60 years, but I’m doing what I’m meant to do—singing and playing and writing better than I ever have. A bandleader is just someone who gathers people around them to play the best music they can play. I just try and make the best decisions possible and kick some ass every night onstage.”

More Concert Listings

Celebration of life for Julie Buck
Celebration of life for Julie Buck
April 14 | 2:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Hotel Congress Plaza stage
The Coolers at Monterey Court
The Coolers at Monterey Court
April 13 | 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Monterey Court
The Wild Swans present The Wind that Shakes the Corn
The Wild Swans present The Wind that Shakes the Corn
April 27 | 7:00 am - 9:00 am
Pima County Historic Courthouse Dillinger Courtroom
Signature Series: Tyian Yi Li, pianist
Signature Series: Tyian Yi Li, pianist
April 7 | 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Oracle Center for the Arts
Sierra Vista Symphony Orchestra
Sierra Vista Symphony Orchestra
April 6 | 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Buena High School

More Events

KXCI NEWSLETTER

Sign Up

SUPPORT
LOCAL RADIO

SUPPORT