Frank Malfitano Executive Producer Syracuse Jazz Fest Productions, Inc. Asleep At The Wheel Saturday June 1Oth - 8:OO pm - National Grid Main Stage
Asleep at the Wheel has seen miles and miles of Texas, and they got their kicks on Route 66. Now in their 46th year, the band continues to introduce the western swing genre to a new generation. “It’s been an amazing ride. From Paw Paw to San Francisco to Austin, we’ve seen it all,” says Wheel front man Ray Benson. “But, rest assured, there are still so many exciting projects in the works. The Wheel keeps rolling!”
“There's some relatively unknown group around that I really dig. Asleep at the Wheel plays great country music.” - Van Morrison's Rolling Stone Interview (1973)
The Beginnings: It all started when Ray Benson, Floyd Domino, and Lucky Oceans, along with a Vermont farm boy named Leroy Preston; Virginian Chris O'Connell; and Gene Dobkin, a bass player and fellow classmate of Benson's joined forces. They began with a simple goal: to play and help revive American roots music. Asleep at the Wheel landed a gig opening for Alice Cooper and Hot Tuna in Washington, DC in 1970. At the that mold,” said Benson. “We were concerned more with this amazing roots music, which we felt was being lost amid the politics. We were too height of Vietnam, many Americans were using their choice of music to express their stance on the con�lict in southeast Asia. “We wanted to break later, they were coaxed into moving to California by Commander Cody, leader of Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen. But, the band’s big countrybreak came for thewhen rock Van folks Morrison and we mentioned were too long-�-haired them in an interview for the countrywith Rolling folks. Stone. But everybody The record got offers over startedit once thecoming music in startedand the playing.” Wheel got A year rolling.
80+ Members But Who’s Counting? The musicianship of Asleep at the Wheel has become the stuff of legends. Reuter’s pegged the Wheel as “one of the best live acts in the business.” Taking a page from Bob Wills’ book, the band has constantly toured at a national level throughout its history; over 80+ members, and includes an impressive list of musicians who have gone on to perform with artists such as Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Lyle withLovett, anywhere Ryan Adams, from and7-�-15 many of more. the �inest A quick players scan Rayof awards, Benson such could as talk “Touring into jumping Band of inthe the Year” bus (CMAs,to play 1976)a string and of dates.“Lifetime The Achievement alumni roster in is well Performance” (Americana Music Awards 2009), not to mention near dominance of the GRAMMY “Country Instrumental” category over the years, re�lects the reputation of the band’s musicianship. Ray Benson fell in love with western swing because of its unique combination of elements of American blues, swing and traditional �iddling but also for its demanding musical chops. Western swing is what Benson calls “jazz with a cowboy hat,” “Everything is a thrill tothis hear act live,has everand thanksreleased in islarge simply part spectacular.” to the Wheel’s - Billboard 40-�-plus Magazine years of promotion, (2010) is a living and creative genre of music today.
On the Records & the Road: albums, and there is no sign of slowing down any time soon. The band’s most recent release, Still the King: Celebrating the Music of Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, garnered Overthe 2016 their GRAMMY history, Asleep Award at for The Best Wheel Recording has earned Package. 10 GRAMMY The critically Awards acclaimed and released album, more named than one 25 of studio Rolling and Stone’s live
40 Best Country Albums of 2015, is the latest in Asleep at the Wheel’s long-�-standing tradition of “keeping Western Swing alive for 45 years” (Wall Street Journal). Featuring 22 acclaimed collaborations, the all-�-star line up includes legends such as Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and George Strait and newcomers like The Avett Brothers, Amos Lee, Old Crow Medicine Show and many other �ine talents. Asleep At The Wheel: RAY BENSON - Guitar KATIE SHORE - Fiddle DENNIS LUDIKER - Fiddle JAY RENOLDS - Horns EDDIE RIVERS- Steel Guitar CONNOR FORSYTH - Piano JOSH HOAG - Bass DAVID SANGER - Drums