Gene Watson’s Peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as ‘the singer’s singer’ – and rightly so!
All of Gene Watson’s Peers, who were contacted by The Gene Watson Fan Site, during 2014, were most gracious with their time and words.
It is here, within this special part of The Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Ray Benson of Asleep At The Wheel, which he submitted to this site on Monday 5 May 2014.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Ray Benson of Asleep At The Wheel who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Ray Benson of Asleep At The Wheel
This quote was submitted on Monday 5 May 2014.
‘Gene Watson is one of the greatest singers in Texas and in all of country music.
He ranks up there with George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013), Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009) and Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013), three of my favourites.
His recordings of ‘Farewell Party‘ and ‘Love In The Hot Afternoon‘ are classics, as well as most all of his records!
He’s a fine mechanic too!’
Thank you, Ray Benson of Asleep At The Wheel, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Ray Benson of Asleep At The Wheel…
Ray Benson of Asleep At The Wheel was born in Philadelphia on Friday 16 March 1951 and is the front man of the Western Swing band, Asleep At The Wheel, America’s foremost exponents of Western Swing and the music of Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975); Asleep At The Wheel is easily one of the America’s longest running bands.
In 1970, Ray Benson formed Asleep At The Wheel with friends Lucky Oceans and Leroy Preston, and landed their first recording contract following comments made by Van Morrison in ‘Rolling Stone’. Asleep At The Wheel relocated to Austin, Texas in 1973 following a suggestion from Willie Nelson to do so and began to add more swing songs into their shows and their albums.
Since then, Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of more than twenty albums and earned nine Grammy Awards. The line-up of Asleep At The Wheel has changed greatly over the years – about ninety people have been part of Asleep At The Wheel at some point – Ray Benson has always remained at the helm as the band’s driving force.
In addition to his work with Asleep At The Wheel, Ray Benson is also an accomplished producer, whose credits include albums by Dale Watson, Suzy Bogguss, Aaron Watson, James Hand (Monday 7 July 1952 – Monday 8 June 2020) and Carolyn Wonderland.
Ray Benson has also produced single tracks for Willie Nelson, Aaron Neville, Brad Paisley, Pam Tillis, Trace Adkins, Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) and Vince Gill.
Ray Benson is also a founding member of The Rhythm & Blues Foundation, an organisation which raises money to help aging Rhythm & Blues artists; Ray Benson is also a member of the board of directors of the SIMS Foundation, which provides low-cost mental health services to Austin musicians and their families.
Ray Benson is also a trustee for the Texas Chapter of NARAS, a board member of St. David’s Community Health Foundation and a board member and founding member of Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM).
In 1972, Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of their first album for United Artist Records, ‘Comin’ Right At Ya’ (United Artists Records, 1973); the album, which was recorded in January 1973 at Woodland Sound Studio in Nashville, was produced by Tommy Allsup (Tuesday 24 November 1931 – Wednesday 11 January 2017), and included two tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Take Me Back To Tulsa’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) and Tommy Duncan (Wednesday 11 January 1911 – Tuesday 25 July 1967) / this track was released as a single in 1973, but it did not chart
‘Drivin’ Nails In My Coffin’ (written by Jerry Irby) / this track was released as a single in 1973, but it did not chart
Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s first album for United Artist Records, ‘Comin’ Right At Ya’ (United Artists Records, 1973), also included the following tracks:
‘Daddy’s Advice’ (written by Leroy Preston)
‘Before You Stopped Loving Me’ (written by Leroy Preston)
‘I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive’, which was written by Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953) and Fred Rose (24 August 1898 – Wednesday 1 December 1954)
‘Space Buggy’ (written by Leroy Preston, James Haber and Reuben Gosfield)
‘Cherokee Boogie’, which was written by Moon Mullican (Monday 29 March 1909 – Sunday 1 January 1967) and William Redbird
‘Hillbilly Nut’ (written by Leroy Preston)
‘Your Downhome Is Uptown’ (written by Leroy Preston, Ray Benson and Kevin Farrell)
‘I’m The Fool (Who Told You To Go)’ (written by Leroy Preston)
‘I’ve Been Everywhere’, which was written by Geoff Mack (Wednesday 20 December 1922 – Friday 21 July 2017)
‘Sun Shines Down On Me’, which was written by Larry Lee Favorite (1939 – Saturday 26 May 2001)
Personnel involved in the recording of Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘Comin’ Right At Ya’ (United Artists Records, 1973) included the following:
Ray Benson (vocal, guitar)
Leroy Preston (vocal, guitar, drums)
Chris O’Connell (vocals, guitar, banjo)
Lucky Oceans (steel guitar)
Gene Dobkin and Tony Garnier (bass)
Scott Hennige (drums)
Floyd Domino (piano)
Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015) (fiddle, mandolin)
Buddy Spicher, Daniel Levin and Andy Stein (fiddle)
Ed Vizard (saxophone)
In 1974, Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of ‘Asleep At The Wheel’ (Epic Records, 1974), which was produced by Norro Wilson (Monday 4 April 1938 – Thursday 8 June 2017), and was recorded in Columbia Recording Studio in Nashville; the album included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Chattanooga Choo Choo’, which was written by Mack Gordon (Tuesday 21 June 1904 – Sunday 1 March 1959) and Harry Warren (24 December 1893 – Tuesday 22 September 1981) (No.69, 1974)
Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘Asleep At The Wheel’ (Epic Records, 1974) also included the following tracks:
‘You & Me Instead’ (written by Kevin Farrell)
‘Jumping At The Woodside’, which was written by William James ‘Count’ Basie (21 August 1904 – Thursday 26 April 1984)
‘Last Letter’, which was written by Rex Griffin (Monday 12 August 1912 – Sunday 11 October 1959)
‘Don’t Ask Me Why (I’m Going To Texas)’ (written by Leroy Preston, Ray Benson and Kevin Farrell)
‘Kind of Love I Can’t Forget’ (written by Jesse Ashlock)
‘I’m Gonna Be A Wheel Someday’ (written by Roy Hayes and Dave Bartholomew)
‘Our Names Aren’t Mentioned (Together Anymore)’ (written by Leroy Preston)
‘Miss Molly’, which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006)
‘Blood Shot Eyes’ (written by Hank Penny and Rick Hall)
‘Dead Man’ (written by Leroy Preston)
Personnel involved in the recording of Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘Asleep At The Wheel’ (Epic Records, 1974) included the following:
Ray Benson (vocal, guitar)
Leroy Preston (vocal, guitar, drums)
Chris O’Connell (vocal, guitar)
Lucky Oceans (steel guitar)
Tony Garnier (bass)
Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015), Buddy Spicher, Richard Casanova and Lisa Silver (fiddle)
Floyd Domino (piano)
Mickey Raphael (harmonica)
Bil Joor (trumpet)
Andy Stein (saxophone)
Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘Asleep At The Wheel’ (Epic Records, 1974) reached No.16 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1974.
In July 1975, Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of ‘Texas Gold’ (Capitol Records, 1975), which was produced by Tommy Allsup (Tuesday 24 November 1931 – Wednesday 11 January 2017), and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘The Letter That Johnny Walker Read’ (written by Leroy Preston, Ray Benson and Chris Frayne) (No.10, 1975)
‘Nothing Takes The Place of You’ (written by Toussaint McCall and Patrick Robinson) (No.35, 1975)
‘Bump Bounce Boogie’ (written by Leroy Preston, Ray Benson and James Haber) (No.31, 1975)
Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘Texas Gold’ (Capitol Records, 1975) also included the following tracks:
‘Fat Boy Rag’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) and L.R. Bernard
‘Runnin’ After Fools’ (written by Leroy Preston)
‘Let Me Go Home Whiskey’ (written by Shifty Henry)
‘Roll ’em Floyd’ (written by Johnson Turner)
‘Tonight The Bartender Is On The Wrong Side of The Bar’ (written by Leroy Preston)
‘Where No One Stands Alone’, which was written by Thomas Mosie Lister (Thursday 8 September 1921 – Thursday 12 February 2015)
‘Trouble In Mind’ (written by Richard M. Jones)
Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘Texas Gold’ (Capitol Records, 1975), reached No.7 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1975.
In July 1976, Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of ‘Wheelin’ & Dealin’ (Capitol Records, 1976), which was produced by Tommy Allsup (Tuesday 24 November 1931 – Wednesday 11 January 2017), and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Route 66’ (written by Bobby Troup) (No.48, 1976)
‘Miles & Miles of Texas’ (written by Diane Johnson and Tommy Campfield) (No.38, 1976)
Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘Wheelin’ & Dealin’ (Capitol Records, 1976) also included the following tracks:
‘Trouble With Loving Today’ (written by Kevin Farrell)
‘Shout Wa Hey’ (written by Leroy Preston and James Haber)
‘Blues For Dixie’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) and O.W. Mayo
‘Cajun Stripper’, which was written by Doug Kershaw and Rusty Kershaw (Wednesday 2 February 1938 – Tuesday 23 October 2001)
‘If I Can’t Love You’ (written by Leroy Preston)
‘Lost Mind’ (written by Percy Mayfield)
‘They Raided The Joint’ (written by David Eldridge and Oran Page)
‘We’ve Gone As Far As We Can Do’, which was written by Linda Hargrove (Thursday 3 February 1949 – Sunday 24 October 2010)
Personnel involved in the recording of Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘Wheelin’ & Dealin’ (Capitol Records, 1976) included the following:
Ray Benson, Leroy Preston and Chris O’Connell (vocal, guitar)
Eldon Shamblin (24 April 1916 – Wednesday 5 August 1998), Bucky Meadows and Linda Hargrove (Thursday 3 February 1949 – Sunday 24 October 2010) (guitar)
Lucky Oceans (steel guitar)
Tony Garnier (bass)
Scott Hennige (drums)
Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015) and Bill Mabry (fiddle)
Tiny Moore (mandolin)
Floyd Domino (piano)
Jo-el Sonnier (Wednesday 2 October 1946 – Saturday 13 January 2024) (accordion)
Danny Levin (flute, mandolin)
Link David (flute, saxophone)
Arnett Cobb and Dennis Solee (saxophone)
Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘Wheelin’ And Dealin’ (Capitol Records, 1976), reached No.19 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1976.
In February 1977, Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of ‘The Wheel’ (Capitol Records, 1977), which was produced by Tommy Allsup (Tuesday 24 November 1931 – Wednesday 11 January 2017), and was recorded at Sumet Bernet Studio in Dallas; the album included the following tracks:
‘Wheel’ (written by Leroy Preston) (instrumental)
‘I Wonder’ (written by Leroy Preston)
‘Am I High’ (written by Ray Benson, Chris O’Connell and Peter Sherridan)
‘Dollar Short & A Day Late’ (written by Leroy Preston, Ray Benson and Kevin Farrell)
‘My Baby Thinks She’s A Train’ (written by Leroy Preston)
‘Ragtime Annie’ (traditional) (instrumental)
‘When Love Goes Wrong’ (written by Leroy Preston)
‘Somebody Stole His Body’ (written by Leroy Preston)
‘Let’s Face Up’ (written by Leroy Preston and Kevin Farrell)
‘I Can’t Handle It Now’ (written by Leroy Preston)
‘Red Stick’ (written by Link Davis)
Personnel involved in the recording of Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘The Wheel’ (Capitol Records, 1977) included the following:
Ray Benson, Leroy Preston and Chris O’Connell (vocal/guitar)
Lucky Oceans (steel guitar)
Tony Garnier (bass)
Chris York (drums)
Danny Levin (fiddle, mandolin)
Bill Mabry (fiddle)
Floyd Domino (piano)
Link Davis (saxophone, accordion, vocals)
Pat Ryan (saxophone, clarinet)
Leon Rausch (Sunday 2 October 1927 – Tuesday 14 May 2019) (vocals)
Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘The Wheel’ (Capitol Records, 1977) reached No.31 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1977.
In July 1978, Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of ‘Collision Course’ (Capitol Records, 1978), which was produced by Tommy Allsup (Tuesday 24 November 1931 – Wednesday 11 January 2017), and included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Texas, Me & You’ (written by Leroy Preston, Ray Benson and Chris Frayne) (No.75, 1978)
Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘Collision Course’ (Capitol Records, 1978) also included the following tracks:
‘Pipe Dreams’ (written by J.R. Chatwell) / ‘Song of The Wanderer’ (written by Neil Moret)
‘Pine Grove Blues’ (written by Nathan Abshire)
‘One O’Clock Jump’, which was written by William James ‘Count’ Basie (21 August 1904 – Thursday 26 April 1984)
‘Louisiana 1927’ (written by Randy Newman)
‘Ruler of My Heart’ (written by Naomi Neville)
‘Don’t Forget The Trains’ (written by Kevin Farrell)
‘Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens’ (written by Joan Whitney and Alex Kramer)
‘Ghost Dancer’ (written by Leroy Preston)
Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘Collision Course’ (Capitol Records, 1978) reached No.47 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1978.
In April 1979, Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of ‘Served Live’ (Capitol Records, 1979), which was produced by Ray Benson and Chuck Flood, and included the following tracks:
‘Choo Choo Ch’ Boogie’ (written by Vaughn Horton, Milt Gabler and Denver Darling)
‘Last Meal’ (written by Denny Hall)
‘God Bless The Child’, which was written by Billie Holiday (7 April 1915 – Friday 17 July 1959) and Arthur Herzog Jr. (13 December 1900 – Thursday 1 September 1983)
‘Jumping At The Woodside’, which was written by William James ‘Count’ Basie (21 August 1904 – Thursday 26 April 1984)
‘Am I High’ (written by Ray Benson, Chris O’Connell and Peter Sherridan)
‘Route 66’ (written by Bobby Troup)
‘Baby You’ve Got What It Takes’, which was written by Brook Benton (Saturday 19 September 1931 – Saturday 9 April 1988), Clyde Otis (Thursday 11 September 1924 – Tuesday 8 January 2008) and Murray Stein
‘Too Many Bad Habits’ (written by John Nicholas)
‘Miles And Miles of Texas’ (written by Diane Johnson and Tommy Campfield)
‘Will The Circle Be Unbroken’, which was written by A.P. Carter (15 December 1891 – Monday 7 November 1960)
In July 1980, Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of ‘Framed’ (MCA Records, 1980), which was produced by Ray Benson, and included the following tracks:
‘Midnight In Memphis’ (written by Tony Johnson)
‘Lonely Avenue Revisited’ (written by Ray Benson)
‘Slow Dancing’ (written by John Girton)
‘Cool As A Breeze’ (written by Ray Benson)
‘You Wanna Give Me A Lift’, which was written by Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022)
‘Don’t Get Caught Out In The Rain’ (written by Harvey Young, Danny Levin and Chris O’Connell)
‘Whatever It Takes’ (written by Ray Benson)
‘Fiddle Funk Corn Fusion’ (written by Ray Benson and Andy Stein)
‘Up Up Up’ (written by Dan Hicks)
‘Musical Talk’ (written by Ray Benson)
In April 1985, Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of ‘Pasture Prime’ (Demon Records, 1985), which included the following tracks:
‘Across The Alley of The Alamo’ (written by Joe Greene)
‘Switchin’ In The Kitchen’ (written by Ron Moore)
‘Write Your Own Songs’ (written by Willie Nelson)
‘Cotton Eyed Joe’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) and Tommy Duncan (Wednesday 11 January 1911 – Tuesday 25 July 1967)
‘Baby’ (written by Harvey Young and Danny Levin)
‘Shorty’ (written by Ray Benson)
‘That Chick’s Too Young To Fry’ (written by T. Edwards and J. Hilliard)
‘Big Beaver’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975)
‘This Is The Way We Make A Broken Heart’ (written by John Hiatt)
‘Deep Water’, which was written by Fred Rose (24 August 1898 – Wednesday 1 December 1954)
‘Natural Thing To Do’ (written by Alvin Cohn)
‘Liars Moon’ (written by Ray Benson)
‘That’s Your Red Wagon’, which was written by Marshall Jones and Carl Smith (Tuesday 15 March 1927 – Saturday 16 January 2010)
In January 1987, Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of ‘Ten’ (Epic Records, 1987), which was produced by Ray Benson and Huey Lewis, and was recorded at Bee Creek Studios in Austin, Texas; the album included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Way Down Texas Way’, which was written by Billy Joe Shaver (Wednesday 16 August 1939 – Wednesday 28 October 2020) (No.39, 1987)
‘House of Blue Lights’, which was written by Donald MacRae Wilhoite Jr. (16 March 1909 – Tuesday 29 January 1985) and Frederick Charles Slack (7 August 1910 – Tuesday 10 August 1965) (No.17, 1987)
‘Boogie Back To Texas’ (written by Ray Benson) (No.53, 1987)
‘Blowin’ Like A Bandit’, which was written by Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016) (No.59, 1988)
Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘Ten’ (Epic Records, 1987) also included the following tracks:
‘Tulsa Straight Ahead’ (written by Jimmy Hall)
‘Coast To Coast’ (written by Frederic Knipe)
‘I Want A New Drug’ (written by Chris Hayes and Hugh Cregg)
‘Big Foot Stomp’ (written by Fontaine Brown)
‘String of Pars’ (written by Ray Benson, Larry Franklin and John Ely)
‘Blues Stay Away From Me’ (written by Alton Delmore, Wayne Raney and Henry Glover)
Personnel involved in the recording of Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘Ten’ (Epic Records, 1987) included the following:
Ray Benson (vocal, guitar)
Chris O’Connell (vocal)
Pete Anderson (guitar)
John Ely (steel guitar)
David Dawson, Tom Anastasio and Ray Campi (bass)
David Sanger (drums)
Larry Franklin (fiddle, guitar, vocals)
Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015) (fiddle)
Tim Alexander (piano, accordion, vocals)
In 1988, Ray Benson was recognised as an ‘Outstanding Producer’ by the National Academy of Recording Arts.
In August 1988, Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of ‘Western Standard Time’ (Epic Records, 1988), which was recorded at Arlyn Studios and Bee Creek Studios in Austin, Texas; the album, which was produced by Norro Wilson (Monday 4 April 1938 – Thursday 8 June 2017), included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Walk On By’ (written by Kendall Hayes) (No.55, 1988)
‘Hot Rod Lincoln’, which was written by Charlie Ryan and W.S. Stevenson (1900 – 1978) (No.65, 1988)
Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘Western Standard Time’ (Epic Records, 1988) also included the following tracks:
‘Chattanooga Choo Choo’, which was written by Mack Gordon (Tuesday 21 June 1904 – Sunday 1 March 1959) and Harry Warren (24 December 1893 – Tuesday 22 September 1981)
‘Don’t Let Go’ (written by Jesse Stone)
‘That’s What I Like About The South’ (written by Andy Razaf)
‘That Lucky Old Sun’, which was written by Beasley Smith and James Lamont ‘Haven’ Gillespie (6 February 1888 – Friday 14 March 1975)
‘San Antonio Rose’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975)
‘Roly Poly’, which was written by Fred Rose (24 August 1898 – Wednesday 1 December 1954)
‘Sugarfoot Rag’, which was written by Vaughn Horton and Hank Garland (Tuesday 11 November 1930 – Monday 27 December 2004)
‘Walking The Floor Over You’, which was written by Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984)
Personnel involved in the recording of Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘Western Standard Time’ (Epic Records, 1988) included the following:
Ray Benson (vocal, guitar, 6-string bass)
Chris O’Connell (vocal)
Larry Franklin (fiddle, guitar, vocals)
Tim Alexander (piano, vocals)
John Ely (steel guitar)
David Sanger (drums)
John Mitchell and Tony Garnier (bass)
Michael Francis (saxophone)
Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015) (fiddle, electric mandolin, vocals)
Larry Seyer (bass, guitar, vocals)
Willie Nelson (vocals)
Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘Western Standard Time’ (Epic Records, 1988) reached No.34 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1988.
In July 1989, Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of ‘Keepin’ Me Up Nights’ (Arista Records, 1989), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Keepin’ Me Up Nights’ (written by James Dean Hicks and Byron Hill) (No.54, 1990)
‘That’s The Way Love Is’ (written by Leroy Preston) (No.60, 1990)
‘Dance With Who Brung You’ (written by Ray Benson) (No.71, 1991)
Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘Keepin’ Me Up Nights’ (Arista Records, 1989) also included the following tracks:
‘Boot Scootin’ Boogie’ (written by Ronnie Dunn)
‘Quittin’ Time’ (written by Ray Benson and Tim Dubois)
‘Eyes’ (written by Bobby Braddock)
‘Goin’ Home’ (written by Tracy Seals and John Schneider)
‘Gone But Not Forgotten’ (written by J Fred Knobloch and Scott Miller)
‘You Don’t Have To Go To Memphis’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘Beat Me Daddy (Eight To The Bar)’, which was written by Donald MacRae Wilhoite Jr. (16 March 1909 – Tuesday 29 January 1985), Hughie Prince and Eleanor Sheehy
‘Texas Fiddle Man’ (written by Ray Benson and Larry Franklin)
‘Padernales Stroll’ (written by Ray Benson, Larry Franklin and John Ely)
Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘Keepin’ Me Up Nights’ (Arista Records, 1989) reached No.73 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1989.
In March 1992, Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of ‘Asleep At The Wheel: Live & Kickin’ (Arista Records, 1992), which was recorded, in August 1991, at Austin Aqua Festival, Auditorium Shores in Austin, Texas and included the following tracks:
‘Route 66’ (written by Bobby Troup)
‘Miles & Miles of Texas’ (written by Diane Johnson and Tommy Campfield)
‘Take Me Back To Tulsa’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) and Tommy Duncan (Wednesday 11 January 1911 – Tuesday 25 July 1967)
‘Black & White Rag’ (written by Ray Benson)
‘Jambalaya (On The Bayou)’, which was written by Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953)
‘Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens’ (written by Joan Whitney and Alex Kramer)
‘Dance With Who Brung You’ (written by Ray Benson)
‘Choo Choo Ch’ Boogie’ (written by Vaughn Horton, Milt Gabler and Denver Darling)
‘House of Blue Lights’, which was written by Donald MacRae Wilhoite Jr. (16 March 1909 – Tuesday 29 January 1985) and Frederick Charles Slack (7 August 1910 – Tuesday 10 August 1965)
‘Beat Me Daddy (Eight To The Bar)’, which was written by Donald MacRae Wilhoite Jr. (16 March 1909 – Tuesday 29 January 1985), Hughie Prince and Eleanor Sheehy
Personnel who were involved in the recording of Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘Live And Kickin’ (Arista Records, 1992) included the following:
Ray Benson (vocal, guitar, bass)
John Ely (steel guitar)
David Sanger (drums)
Tim Alexander (piano, accordian, vocals)
Ricky Turpin (fiddle)
Floyd Domino (piano)
Larry Franklin (fiddle, vocals)
Michael Francis (saxophone)
On Monday 25 October 1993, Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of ‘A Tribute To The Music of Bob Wills’ (Liberty Records, 1993), which was produced by Allen Reynolds, and recorded at Bismeaux Studio in Austin, Texas; the album included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Corrine Corrina’ (written by J.M. Williams, Bo Chapman and Mitchell Parish) (No.73, 1994) / this track featured guest vocals from Brooks & Dunn (Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn)
Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘Tribute To The Music of Bob Wills’ (Liberty Records, 1993) also included the following tracks:
‘Red Wing’, which was written by Ray Benson and Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015)
‘Big Balls In Cowtown’ (written by Hoyle Nix) / this track featured guest vocals from George Strait
‘Yearning (Just For You)’ (written by Benny Davis and Joe Burke) / this track featured guest vocals from Vince Gill
‘Bring It On Down To My House, Honey’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975)
‘Deep Water’, which was written by Fred Rose (Floyd Jenkins) (24 August 1898 – Wednesday 1 December 1954) / this track featured guest vocals from Garth Brooks
‘Blues For Dixie’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) and O.W. Mayo / this track featured guest vocals from Lyle Lovett
‘Lilly Dale’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) / this track featured guest vocals from Dolly Parton
‘Across The Alley of The Alamo’ (written by Joe Greene) / this track featured guest vocals from Johnny Rodriguez
‘Old Fashioned Love’ (written by Cecil Mack and James Johnson) / this track featured guest vocals from Suzy Bogguss
‘Ida Red Likes The Boogie’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) / this track featured guest vocals from Huey Lewis, Willie Nelson and Jody Nix
‘Misery’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975), Tommy Duncan (Wednesday 11 January 1911 – Tuesday 25 July 1967) and Tiny Moore / this track featured guest vocals from Marty Stuart
‘I Wonder If You Feel The Way I Do’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) / this track featured guest vocals from Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016)
‘Hubbin’ It’, which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006) and Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) / this track featured guest vocals from Huey Lewis
‘Still Water Runs The Deepest’ (written by Jesse Ashlock) / this track featured guest vocals from Willie Nelson
‘All Night Long’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) and Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015) / this track featured guest vocals from Leon Rausch (Sunday 2 October 1927 – Tuesday 14 May 2019)
‘Got A Letter From My Kid Today’ (written by Joan Whitney, Alex Kramer and Hy Zaret)
‘Dusty Skies’, which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006) / this track featured guest vocals from Riders In The Sky
Personnel involved in the recording of Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘Tribute To The Music of Bob Wills’ (Liberty Records, 1993) included the following:
Ray Benson (guitar, vocals)
Larry Seyers, Bucky Meadows and Chet Atkins (Friday 20 June 1924 – Saturday 30 June 2001) (guitar)
John Ely, Cindy Cashdollar, Tommy Morell, Herb Remington and Lucky Oceans (steel guitar)
David Miller (bass, vocals)
Dave Sanger and Tommy Beavers (drums)
Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015) (fiddle, electric mandolin)
Ricky Turpin and Larry Franklin (fiddle)
Floyd Domino and Tim Alexander (piano)
Michael Francis (saxophone)
Dawn Sears (Thursday 7 December 1961 – Thursday 11 December 2014) (vocals)
Special Guests
Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, George Strait, Lyle Lovett, Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016), Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Riders In The Sky, Huey Lewis, Brooks & Dunn (Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn), Reuben Gosfield, Jody Nix, Garth Brooks, Chris O’Connell, Suzy Bogguss, Johnny Rodriguez and Leon Rausch (Sunday 2 October 1927 – Tuesday 14 May 2019)
In November 1995, Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of ‘The Wheel Keeps On Rollin’ (Capitol Records, 1995), which was produced by Andy Byrd, and included the following tracks:
‘Meanwhile, Back At The Ranch’ (written by Pat Buchanan and James Robinson)
‘How The West Was Sung’, which was written by Troy Seals, Margo Guryan and Gene Pistilli (Thursday 27 March 1947 – Tuesday 26 December 2017)
‘Lay Down Sally’ (written by Eric Clapton, Marcy Levy and George Terry)
‘The Wheel Keeps On Rollin’ (written by Ray Benson)
‘Hightower’ (written by Ray Benson and Tim Alexander)
‘If I Could’ (written by Tim Carroll)
‘Smoke Smoke Smoke That Cigarette’, which was written by Merle Travis (Thursday 29 November 1917 – Thursday 20 October 1983) and Tex Williams (Thursday 23 August 1917 – Friday 11 October 1985)
‘Rockin’ Rodeo’ (written by Ray Benson)
‘She Came To Dance’ (written by Ray Benson)
‘In My Dreams’ (written by Al Anderson and Fred Koller)
Personnel who were involved in the recording of Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘The Wheel Keeps On Rollin’ (Capitol Records, 1995) included the following:
Ray Benson (vocal, guitar)
Cindy Cashdollar and Lloyd Maines (steel guitar)
David Miller (bass)
David Sanger (drums)
Tim Alexander (piano)
Michael Francis (saxophone)
In 1996, Ray Benson was given The Texas Music Association’s ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’.
Don Walser (Friday 14 September 1934 – Wednesday 20 September 2006) recorded Ray Benson’s ‘Texas Top Hand’ (co-written with Don Walser) and included the track on ‘Texas Top Hand’ (Watermelon Records, 1996).
On Tuesday 20 May 1997, Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of ‘Back To The Future Now’ (Epic Records, 1997), which was produced by Blake Chancey, and included the following tracks:
‘Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens’ (written by Joan Whitney and Alex Kramer)
‘Miles And Miles Of Texas’ (written by Diane Johnson and Tommy Campfield)
‘Roly Poly’, which was written by Fred Rose (Floyd Jenkins) (24 August 1898 – Wednesday 1 December 1954)
‘Ida Red’ (written by Nick Wood, Vivian Holtzman and Scott Holtzman)
‘My Baby Thinks She’s A Train’ (written by Leroy Preston)
‘Letter That Johnny Walker Read’ (written by Leroy Preston, Ray Benson and Chris Frayne)
‘God Bless The Child’, which was written by Billie Holiday (7 April 1915 – Friday 17 July 1959) and Arthur Herzog Jr. (13 December 1900 – Thursday 1 September 1983)
‘Fat Boy Rag’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) and L.R. Bernard
‘Cherokee Boogie’ (written by Moon Mullican and William Redbird)
‘Hot Rod Lincoln’, which was written by Charlie Ryan and W.S. Stevenson (1900 – 1978)
‘Boogie Back To Texas’ (written by Ray Benson)
‘House of Blue Lights’, which was written by Donald MacRae Wilhoite Jr. (16 March 1909 – Tuesday 29 January 1985) and Frederick Charles Slack (7 August 1910 – Tuesday 10 August 1965)
On Tuesday 30 September 1997, Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of ‘Merry Texas Christmas, Y’all’ (High Street Records, 1997), which was produced by Ray Benson, and included the following tracks:
‘Feliz Navidad’ (written by José Feliciano) (traditional) / this track featured guest vocals from Tish Hinojosa
‘Xmas In Jail’ (written by Bebe Blake and Jack Hoffman)
‘Swingin’ Drummer Boy’ (written by Ray Benson)
‘Merry Texas Christmas Y’all’ (written by Ray Benson)
‘Pretty Paper’ (written by Willie Nelson) / this track featured guest vocals from Willie Nelson
‘T’Was The Night Before’ (written by Ray Benson) / this track featured guest vocals from Willie Nelson
‘Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!’ (written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne)
‘Jingle Bell Boogie’ (written by Ray Benson)
‘A Christmas Wish’, which was written by Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015)
‘Silver Bells’, which was written by Raymond Bernard Evans (4 February 1915 – Thursday 15 February 2007) and Jay Livingston (28 March 1915 – Wednesday 17 October 2001)
‘Here Comes Santa Claus’, which was written by Gene Autry (Sunday 29 September 1907 – Friday 2 October 1998) and Oakley Haldeman
‘Silent Night’, which was written by Franz Xaver Gruber (25 November 1787 – 7 June 1863) and Joseph Mohr (11 December 1792 – 4 December 1848) / this track featured guest vocals from Willie Nelson and Don Walser (Friday 14 September 1934 – Wednesday 20 September 2006)
‘Swingin’ Silent Nite’ (traditional)
On Tuesday 10 August 1999, Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of ‘Ride With Bob: A Tribute To Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys’ (DreamWorks Nashville Records, 1999), which included the following tracks:
‘Bob’s Breakdown’ (written by Jason Roberts) / this track featured guest vocals from Tommy Allsup (Tuesday 24 November 1931 – Wednesday 11 January 2017), Floyd Domino, Larry Franklin, Vince Gill and Steve Wariner
‘New San Antonio Rose’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) / this track featured guest vocals from Dwight Yoakam
‘I Ain’t Got Nobody’ (public domain, Dave Peyton and Spencer Williams) / this track featured guest vocals from Don Walser (Friday 14 September 1934 – Wednesday 20 September 2006)
‘Roly Poly’, which was written by Fred Rose (24 August 1898 – Wednesday 1 December 1954) / this track featured guest vocals from The Chicks
‘Heart To Heart Talk’ (written by Lee Ross) / this track featured guest vocals from Lee Ann Womack
‘Cherokee Maiden’, which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006) / this track featured guest vocals from Ray Benson
‘Maiden’s Prayer’ (traditional, Bob Wills) / this track featured guest vocals from Squirrel Nut Zippers
‘You’re From Texas’, which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006) / this track featured guest vocals from Ray Benson and Tracy Byrd
‘Right Or Wrong’, which was written by Paul Biese, James Lamont ‘Haven’ Gillespie (6 February 1888 – Friday 14 March 1975) and Arthur Sizemore / this track featured guest vocals from Reba McEntire
‘Faded Love’, which was written by Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015), Billy Jack Wills, Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) and Johnnie Lee Wills (Monday 2 September 1912 – Thursday 25 October 1984) / this track featured guest vocals from Shawn Colvin and Lyle Lovett
‘St. Louis Blues’ (written by John Handy and W.C. Handy) / this track featured guest vocals from Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016)
‘End of The Line’, which was written by Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015) and Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) / this track featured guest vocals from Jason Roberts
‘Take Me Back To Tulsa’, which was written by Tommy Duncan (Wednesday 11 January 1911 – Tuesday 25 July 1967) and Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) / this track featured guest vocals from Ray Benson and Clay Walker
‘Milk Cow Blues’ (written by Kokomo Arnold) / this track featured guest vocals from Ray Benson and Tim McGraw
‘Stay All Night’, which was written by Tommy Duncan (Wednesday 11 January 1911 – Tuesday 25 July 1967) and Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) / this track featured guest vocals from Ray Benson and Mark Chesnutt
‘Bob Wills Is Still The King’, which was written by Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002) / this track featured guest vocals from Clint Black
‘Going Away Party’, which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006) / this track featured guest vocals from Willie Nelson and The Manhattan Transfer
Following the release of Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘Ride With Bob: A Tribute To Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys’ (DreamWorks Nashville Records, 1999), Ray Benson was presented with The 16th Annual Mid-south Regional Emmy Award for the making of the album, an Honorary Junior Member of The United States Secret Service and the Darrel K. Royal Music Patron Award by The Texas Heritage Songwriters’ Association.
In 2002, Ray Benson was inducted into Austin Music Hall of Fame.
On Tuesday 18 February 2003, Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of ‘Take Me Back To Tulsa’ (Evangeline UK Records, 2003), which included the following tracks, all of which were re-recordings:
‘The Letter That Johnny Walker Read’ (written by Ray Benson, Chris Frayne and Leroy Preston) / this track featured guest vocals from Mandy Barnett / the original version of this track, which was included on Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘Texas Gold’ (Capitol Records, 1975), reached No.10 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1975
‘Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens’ (written by Alex Kramer and Joan Whitney)
‘Route 66’ (written by Bobby Troup) / the original version of this track, which was included on Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘Wheelin’ & Dealin’ (Capitol Records, 1976), reached No.48 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1976
‘Take Me Back To Tulsa’, which was written by Tommy Duncan (Wednesday 11 January 1911 – Tuesday 25 July 1967) and Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975)
‘My Baby Thinks She’s A Train’ (written by Leroy Preston)
‘House of Blue Lights’, which was written by Donald MacRae Wilhoite Jr. (16 March 1909 – Tuesday 29 January 1985) and Frederick Charles Slack (7 August 1910 – Tuesday 10 August 1965) / the original version of this track, which was included on Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘Ten’ (Epic Records, 1987), reached No.17 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1987
‘Miles & Miles of Texas’ (written by Tommy Camfield and Diane Johnston) / the original version of this track, which was included on Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘Wheelin’ & Dealin’ (Capitol Records, 1976), reached No.38 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1976
‘Sugarfoot Rag’ (written by Mark Garland and George Vaughn) / this track featured guest vocals from Brad Paisley
‘Choo Choo Ch’Boogie’ (written by Denver Darling, Milt Gabler and Vaughn Horton)
‘Dance With Who Brung You’ (written by Ray Benson)
‘Big Balls In Cowtown’ (written by Hoyle Nix)
‘Last Meal’ (written by Denny Hall) (traditional)
‘Boogie Back To Texas’ (written by Ray Benson) / the original version of this track, which was included on Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘Ten’ (Epic Records, 1987), reached No.53 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1987
‘Texas, Me & You’ (written by Ray Benson) / this track featured guest vocals from Eliza Gilkyson
On Tuesday 4 November 2003, Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of ‘Asleep At The Wheel: Remembers The Alamo’ (Shout! Factory Records, 2003), which included the following tracks:
‘Remember The Alamo / Letter From Col. Travis’ (written by Jane Bowers)
‘Green Leaves of Summer’ (written by Dimitri Tiomkin and Paul Francis Webster / this track featured Tosca String Quartet
‘Billy In The Low Ground’ (traditional, Doc Watson)
‘Ballad Of The Alamo’ (written by Dimitri Tiomkin and Paul Francis Webster) / this track featured Tosca String Quartet
‘Deguello’ (traditional)
‘Ballad of Davy Crockett’ (written by Tom Blackburn and George Bruns)
‘Yellow Rose of Texas’ (traditional)
‘New San Antonio Rose’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975)
‘Eighth of January’ (traditional)
‘Across The Alley From The Alamo’ (written by J. Michael Greene and Joe Greene)
‘Stout & High’ (written by Monte Warden)
‘Don’t Go There’ (written by Ray Benson and David Sanger)
‘Soldier’s Joy’ (traditional)
In Spring 2005, Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel began the production of ‘A Ride With Bob’, which followed the travels of legendary singer/songwriter Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975).
‘A Ride With Bob’ included the live performance of fifteen of Bob Wills’ most well-known songs in a plot which included Ray Benson’s present day with various stages in Bob Wills’ storied career.
In late 2005, Ray Benson produced ‘Ten In Texas’ (Icehouse Music Records, 2005), a various artists compilation album, which featured Texas country music artists paying tribute to songwriters from Texas.
The various artists compilation album, ‘Ten In Texas’ (Icehouse Music Records, 2005), which was released on Tuesday 11 October 2005, included the following tracks:
‘Texas Cookin’, which was written by Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016) / this track featured vocals from Ruthie Foster
‘Honky Tonk Heroes’, which was written by Billy Joe Shaver (Wednesday 16 August 1939 – Wednesday 28 October 2020) / this track featured vocals from Carolyn Wonderland
‘True Love Ways’, which was written by Buddy Holly (Monday 7 September 1936 – Tuesday 3 February 1959) and Norman Petty (Wednesday 25 May 1927 – Wednesday 15 August 1984) / this track featured vocals from Aaron Watson
‘Sunday Morning Coming Down’ (written by Kris Kristofferson) / this track featured vocals from Joe Ely
‘Lone Star Beer & Bob Wills Music’ (written by Red Steagall) / this track featured vocals from Gary P. Nunn
‘The Other Woman’ (written by Don Rollins) / this track featured vocals from Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel
‘Cowboy’ (written by Betty Elders) / this track featured vocals from Terri Hendrix
‘The Grand Tour’, which was written by Norro Wilson (Monday 4 April 1938 – Thursday 8 June 2017), Carmol Taylor (Saturday 5 September 1931 – Friday 5 December 1986) and George Richey (Saturday 30 November 1935 – Saturday 31 July 2010) / this track featured vocals from Dale Watson
‘There’s A Little Bit of Everything In Texas’, which was written by Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984) / this track featured vocals from Johnny Bush (Sunday 17 February 1935 – Friday 16 October 2020) and Cornell Hurd
On Tuesday 14 November 2006, Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of ‘Asleep At The Wheel: Live From Austin, TX’ (New West Records, 2006), which included the following tracks, all of which were recorded in 1992 and featured The Texas Playboys:
‘Black & White Rag’ (written by Ray Benson)
‘Miles & Miles of Texas’ (written by Diane Johnston)
‘Boot Scootin’ Boogie’ (written by Ronnie Dunn)
‘You Don’t Know Me’, which was written by Eddy Arnold (Wednesday 15 May 1918 – Thursday 8 May 2008) and Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006)
‘Hot Rod Lincoln’
‘Boogie Back To Texas’ (written by Ray Benson)
‘House of Blue Lights’, which was written by Donald MacRae Wilhoite Jr. (16 March 1909 – Tuesday 29 January 1985) and Frederick Charles Slack (7 August 1910 – Tuesday 10 August 1965)
‘Fat Boy Rag’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975)
‘Get Your Kicks (On Route 66)’ (written by Bobby Troup)
‘Corrine, Corrina’ (written by J.M. Williams, Bo Chapman and Mitchell Parish)
‘Blues For Dixie’
‘Roly Poly’, which was written by Fred Rose (24 August 1898 – Wednesday 1 December 1954)
‘Misery’, which was written by Tommy Duncan (Wednesday 11 January 1911 – Tuesday 25 July 1967), Billie ‘Tiny’ Moore and Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975)
‘Sugar Moon’, which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006) and Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975)
In 2007, The Austin Chronicle recognised Ray Benson (& Asleep At The Wheel) for ‘Male Vocalist’, ‘Band of The Year’, ‘Songwriter’, ‘Record Producer’, and for ‘The Country Genre’.
On Tuesday 20 March 2007, Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of ‘Reinventing The Wheel’ (Megaforce Records, 2007), which included the following tracks:
‘The Devil Ain’t Lazy’, which was written by Fred Rose (24 August 1898 – Wednesday 1 December 1954) / this track featured The Blind Boys of Alabama
‘Your Mind Is On Vacation’ (written by Mose Allison)
‘I Don’t Care If the Sun Don’t Shine’ (written by Mack David)
‘Am I Right (Or Amarillo)’
‘This Ol’ Cowboy’
‘I’m An Old Cowhand (From The Rio Grande)’ (written by Johnny Mercer and Harry Warren)
‘Pop A Wheelie’ (written by Ray Benson) / this track featured Rolf Sieker
‘Misery’, which was written by Tommy Duncan (Wednesday 11 January 1911 – Tuesday 25 July 1967) and Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975)
‘Hot Like That’ (written by Ray Benson)
‘Saturday Night Fish Fry’ (written by Ellis Walsh)
‘You’re My Sugar’ (written by Hal Stanley and Irving Taylor)
‘The Cape’, which was written by Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016)
On Tuesday 18 September 2007, Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of ‘Santa Loves To Boogie’ (MRI Associates Records, 2007), which included the following tracks:
‘Santa Loves To Boogie’ (written by David Sanger)
‘Hot Texas Christmas Day’ (written by Dale Watson) / this track featured vocals from Dale Watson
‘Give You My Gift’ (written by Elizabeth McQueen and David Sanger)
‘Pretty Paper’ (written by Willie Nelson) / this track featured vocals from Willie Nelson
‘Mele Kalikimaka’
‘Santa’s On His Way’ (written by Nita Phillips)
‘I Hate Christmas’ (written by Jon Dee Graham)
‘Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer’ (written by John Marks) / this track featured vocals from Jack Ingram
‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas’, which was written by Kim Gannon, Walter Kent and Buck Ram (Thursday 21 November 1907 – Tuesday 1 January 1991)
‘Christmas In Texas’ (written by Ray Benson, Kevin Fowler and David Sanger) / this track featured vocals from Kevin Fowler
‘Silent Night’ (traditional)
On Tuesday 3 February 2009, Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of ‘Willie & The Wheel’ (Bismeaux Productions, 2009), a special album project with Willie Nelson, which included the following tracks:
‘Hesitation Blues’ (traditional)
‘Sweet Jennie Lee’ (written by Walter Donaldson)
‘Fan It’ (written by Dan Howell and Frankie ‘Half-Pint’ Jaxon)
‘I Ain’t Gonna Give Nobody None O’ This Jelly Roll’ (written by C. Williams and S. Williams)
‘Oh! You Pretty Woman’ (traditional)
‘Bring It On Down To My House’ (traditional)
‘Right Or Wrong’, which was written by Paul Biese, James Lamont ‘Haven’ Gillespie (6 February 1888 – Friday 14 March 1975) and Arthur L. Sizemore
‘Corrine, Corrina’
‘I’m Sittin’ On Top of The World’ (traditional)
‘Shame On You’, which was written by Spade Cooley (Saturday 17 December 1910 – Sunday 23 November 1969)
‘South’ (written by Thamon Hayes and Bennie Moten) / this track featured Vince Gill and Paul Shaffer
‘Won’t You Ride In My Little Red Wagon’, which was written by Rex Griffin (Monday 12 August 1912 – Sunday 11 October 1959)
On Tuesday 20 July 2010, Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of ‘It’s A Good Day’ (Bismeaux Productions, 2010), which was a special album project with special guests, and included the following tracks:
‘It’s A Good Day’ / this track featured Ray Benson and Leon Rausch (Sunday 2 October 1927 – Tuesday 14 May 2019)
‘Truck Driver’s Blues’, which was written by Ted Daffan (Saturday 21 September 1912 – Sunday 6 October 1996) / this track featured Willie Nelson and Leon Rausch (Sunday 2 October 1927 – Tuesday 14 May 2019)
‘Alright, Okay, You Win’ (written by Mayme Watts and Sidney Wyche) / this track featured Elizabeth McQueen, Willie Nelson and Leon Rausch (Sunday 2 October 1927 – Tuesday 14 May 2019)
‘Rosetta’ (written by Earl Hines and Henri Woode) / this track featured Leon Rausch (Sunday 2 October 1927 – Tuesday 14 May 2019)
‘Basin Street Blues’ (written by Spencer Williams) / this track featured Ray Benson and Leon Rausch (Sunday 2 October 1927 – Tuesday 14 May 2019)
‘I Didn’t Realise’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) / this track featured Leon Rausch (Sunday 2 October 1927 – Tuesday 14 May 2019)
‘Mean Woman With The Green Eyes’, which was written by Sheb Wooley (Sunday 10 April 1921 – Tuesday 16 September 2003) / this track featured Leon Rausch (Sunday 2 October 1927 – Tuesday 14 May 2019)
‘Sugar Moon’, which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006) and Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) / this track featured Leon Rausch (Sunday 2 October 1927 – Tuesday 14 May 2019)
‘Cotton Patch Blues’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) / this track featured Leon Rausch (Sunday 2 October 1927 – Tuesday 14 May 2019)
‘Snap Your Fingers’, which was written by Grady Martin (Thursday 17 January 1929 – Monday 3 December 2001) and Alex Zanetis (Monday 15 May 1922 – Tuesday 13 September 2005) / this track featured Leon Rausch (Sunday 2 October 1927 – Tuesday 14 May 2019)
‘Get Your Kicks (On Route 66)’ (written by Bobby Troup) / this track featured Ray Benson, Elizabeth McQueen and Leon Rausch (Sunday 2 October 1927 – Tuesday 14 May 2019)
‘Osage Stomp’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) / this track featured Ray Benson, Jonathan Doyle, Leon Rausch (Sunday 2 October 1927 – Tuesday 14 May 2019), Eddie Rivers and Dan Walton
On Tuesday January 2014, Ray Benson saw the release of his second solo album, ‘A Little Piece’ (Bismeaux Records, 2014).
• Visit Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s official site at asleepatthewheel.com