Artist Spotlight: Asleep At The Wheel

Courtesy of the Artist

Nestled in the mountains of central Idaho, the picturesque town of Challis bustles every August when it plays host to the Braun Brothers Reunion Festival. Regarded as one of the state’s premier musical gatherings by both attendees and artists alike, the BBR is a family-friendly event that draws thousands of visitors from across the globe, bringing artists and fans together in an unparalleled setting for three unforgettable days. 

This year, the BBR will be held from August 9th-11th and will feature fifteen plus Americana, Texas, and Red Dirt artists including the Grammy-winning band Asleep At The Wheel whose unparalleled musicianship (and an alumni roster of 80+ members) has seen them through almost five decades touring with artists such as Bob Dylan, George Strait, Van Morrison, Lyle Lovett, and many more bringing their singular style to fans across the country and beyond. 
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One such stop will be Challis, Idaho when they play the BBR August 10th. On making the return trip, front man Ray Benson notes jokingly,“ I told them [the Brauns] they couldn’t pick a more inconvenient or picturesque place for us to get to,” before adding, “They’re good pals of ours and we are so happy to be able to make it out again. The setting is so beautiful, it’s the perfect place to play to a crowd who are true music fans who just get it – they’ll really listen to you, then they’ll boogie with you. We can’t wait to get out there.”

Formed in 1970, Asleep At The Wheel has gone through many transitions during its 48 years, but it has always remained true to playing and championing American roots music. Having released more than 25 studio albums, this September the eight-piece will release a new project with a line-up that Benson says, “knocks it out of the park.”

“We worked on the new album for over a year. There are some old tunes and some original tunes, including one I co-wrote with Katie [Shore, fiddle and vocals], as well as a collaboration with the Avett Brothers who are kindred musical souls...appreciating roots music and approaching modern music with a glance to the past. They sang on our Bob Wills’ record [Still the King] and did an ACL show with us, so when they brought us a song, we decided to put it on the record.”

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Not many bands make it four years, much less 48 and Benson says, “Asleep At The Wheel is alive and well. Other bands, like Fleetwood Mac, have done what we have done; we've had many members over the years, but what happens when you change line-ups is that you keep a bit of past and move onto the future, and that’s what’s so fun with Asleep At The Wheel, it evolves while drawing on the same inspirations and styles we started with. We are an eclectic, but well-defined, format of music. I’ve done solo albums and tours, and produced other acts, but Asleep At The Wheel is unique because we do a wide variety of music from hardcore country to western swing and blues to whatever we feel we can play. It’s not a way to get rich, but it’s a way to have a lot of fun.”

In addition to playing the BBR as well as shows with Old Crow Medicine Show in Delaware, NYC, and North Carolina, Asleep at the Wheel will once again embark on their Texas Dance Hall Tour this fall playing the places where the tradition of Texas music is kept alive and well. “We’ll be playing venues anywhere from 250-1000 people where many Texas artists, like Willie, George, Bob Wills, Robert Earl Keen and dozens of others, started. They’re all different too - some are 120 years old, some are gun clubs, others were built by fraternal organizations of Germans, Czech, or Mexicans as community halls for weddings, graduations, and dancing – and all of them make Texas music what it is.”

With all that he has accomplished throughout his career, does the Austin Music Hall of Fame member have anything else he has yet to tackle? “I did a pretty successful Bob Wills play [“A Ride With Bob” which won a Midsouth Regional Emmy Award], but before I started the band, I wanted to be a film director, so film is something I would still like to do. Right now though, I’m producing Jake Shimabukuro's record which pairs with him with vocalists like Willie Nelson and Michael McDonald. I’m busy and having a good time.”

Asleep At The Wheel is:
Ray Benson – lead guitar and vocals
Katie Shore – fiddle and vocals
David Sanger – drums
Josh Hoag - bass
Connor Forsyth – piano and vocals
Dennis Ludiker – fiddle, mandolin, and vocals
Jay Reynolds – sax and clarinet
Eddie Rivers – steel and sax

To keep up with Asleep At The Wheel
Website/Facebook/Twitter

2018 Braun Brothers Reunion
Challis, Idaho
August 9-11th
​Purchase: 3 Day Pass $124.30
Purchase: 2 Day Pass Friday and Saturday ONLY

The BBR is held rain or shine.
Tickets purchased online will be picked up at will call at the venue.
Tickets are Non-refundable.
Kids age 5 and under are free.
Kids age 6-12 are $15 a day and can ONLY be purchased at the front gate even if its sold out.
Kids age 13 and up pay full adult price.

Website/Facebook/Twitter

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