Asleep at the wheel in Linden
LINDEN, Texas—Asleep at the Wheel will soon ride back to town in time for the holidays with their “Merry Christmas From Texas Y’all” show at Music City Texas Theater on Friday, Dec. 11.
Americana and Western swing masters Asleep at the Wheel have racked up Grammy Awards and accolades from American roots and country music lovers. In fact, it was none other than Van Morrison, so many years ago, whose mention of Asleep at the Wheel in print helped land
the band recording offers.
In more than four decades as a band, Asleep at the Wheel has recorded three tribute albums to their hero, Bob Wills, and also a couple Christmas albums. Expect to hear all of that, plus their own work, at this Linden concert. The band’s latest release is “Still the King: Celebrating the Music of Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys.”
Band leader Ray Benson, who helped start the band back in Paw Paw, W.V., has friends in “beautiful Linden, Texas,” where the band will be ready with a Western swing Christmas, tunes including “Feliz Navidad” and a host of others from their Christmas repertoire.
“It’s all done in an Asleep at the Wheel style,” Benson said, adding, “You don’t get to do these songs in July.” For them, it’s just another chance to perform great songs, Christmas material that’s both funny and more traditional.
Music City Texas remains a venue where Benson has friends and he appreciates its sense of history.
“This is just one of those great Texas places,” Benson said. He compares it to Gruene Hall, a place he’s played more than 40 years. “It’s just so cool to have in a small town like Linden, this great venue … we want these things that are purely Texas.”
On the latest Asleep at the Wheel album, a stellar cast of musicians as diverse as The Avett Brothers and George Strait lent their talents—from Pokey LaFarge to Old Crow Medicine Show, Lyle Lovett to Robert Earl Keen. Together, they all pay tribute to Bob Wills and His Western Playboys.
About every 10 to 15 years, says Benson, they feel compelled to make a tribute album in Wills’ honor. “It’s something that we worked on for a couple years and came out in the spring.”
Younger musicians like Amos Lee are included. Seeing musicians of this age tackle the Wills legacy brings Benson a sense of recognition.
“It kind of reminds me of myself 45 years ago,” he said.
It’s music that can’t always be found on Top 40 radio, says Benson. But there’s plenty of good Americana out there, from Sturgill Simpson to The Turnpike Troubadours.
So, get ready for a big Christmas celebration from a band who, through multiple lineup changes, has honed the fine art of Western swing and Americana. Right now, they’re an eight-piece group.
“It’s as big as we’ve been in a long time,” said Benson, who while respecting the folks who work their day jobs is glad he’s a musician living the musician’s life. “It’s fun to do this, it’s a lot of fun.”
(Tickets: $35. To buy tickets or for more info: MusicCityTexas. org or 903-756-9934.)