Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel

Twelve Songs returns after a life-induced hiatus with a good
interview with Ray Benson from the Austin-based Western swing
band Asleep at the Wheel. We talked in the spring when the band
was coming to New Orleans to play Jazz Fest, and you can see my
story focusing on the band celebrating 50 years in the game with
its Half a Hundred Years album and tour. That tour is always
going on or soon to restart, so check your local listings because
if they aren't coming to town, they'll get there sooner or later.


We talk about COVID, which became very real for the band when
members of the band were hit hard by it earlier this year. We
also talk about his long-time musical friend Willie Nelson,
Benson's admiration for his "Pretty Paper," and hear Christmas
music by the band, Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, The
Resentments (on a song by one of my favorites, Jon Dee Graham),
and Folk Uke, which features Willie Nelson and Arlo Guthrie's
daughters.