Ray Benson

Ray Benson

Ray Benson performing in April 2008
Background information
Birth name Ray Benson Seifert[1]
Born (1951-03-16) March 16, 1951[2]
Origin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Genres Western Swing, Country Music
Occupation(s) Singer, Songwriter, Producer
Instruments Guitar[3]
Years active 1969–present
Associated acts Asleep at the Wheel, Willie Nelson, Jodi Benson
Website www.raybenson.com
External video
Oral History, Ray Benson reflects on innovations in the recording process. Interview date January 15, 2011, NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Oral History Library

Ray Benson (born March 16, 1951) is the front man of the Western swing band Asleep at the Wheel.

Ray Benson performing in April 2009

In 1970, Benson, a Jewish [4] native of Philadelphia, formed Asleep at the Wheel with friends Lucky Oceans and Leroy Preston. The group relocated to Austin in 1973 after a suggestion from Willie Nelson .

Since then, the group has released more than 20 albums and earned 9 Grammy awards. Though the band's lineup has changed greatly over the years (about 90 people have been part of Asleep at the Wheel at some point), Benson has always remained at the helm as the band's driving force.

In addition to his work with Asleep at the Wheel, Benson is also an accomplished producer whose credits include albums by Dale Watson, Suzy Bogguss, Aaron Watson, James Hand and Carolyn Wonderland; also single tracks for Willie Nelson, Aaron Neville, Brad Paisley, Pam Tillis, Trace Adkins, Merle Haggard, and Vince Gill.

In 2003, Benson released his first solo album entitled Beyond Time.

Benson is also a founding member of the Rhythm and Blues Foundation, which raises money to help aging R&B artists, and a member of the board of directors of the SIMS Foundation, which provides low-cost mental health services to Austin musicians and their families. He is also a trustee for the Texas chapter of NARAS, a board member of St Davids Community Health Foundation, and a board member and founding member of Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM).

Ray Benson is the host of the Texas Music Scene TV show. In an interview, Benson said that when he was on the Board of Directors for Austin City Limits, he urged them to start a spin-off show that focused on Texas bands because Austin City Limits had grown beyond its original scope to become an international show. Later he had the opportunity to work with executive producer Tom Hoitsma to host the Texas Music Scene TV, which showcases Texas bands.[5]

Benson is 6 feet, 7 inches tall with size 16 EEE feet. He sings in the baritone and bass registers.

"A Ride With Bob"

In the Spring of 2005, Ray Benson and Asleep At The Wheel began the production of "A Ride With Bob" that follows the travels of legendary singer/songwriter Bob Wills. A Ride With Bob includes the live performance of 15 of Wills’ most well-known songs in a plot that interweaves Ray Benson’s present day with various stages in Wills’ storied career. The play continues to tour throughout the country.

Awards

Benson has been presented numerous awards throughout his career. Most recently, the 16th Annual Midsouth Regional Emmy Award for the making of "A Ride With Bob", 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 2007, the Austin Chronicle recognized Benson for Male Vocals, Band of the Year, Songwriter, Record Producer, and for the Country Genre. Benson was inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame in 2002, was given The Texas Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996, and recognized as an Outstanding Producer by the National Academy of Recording Arts in 1988. He has also been given numerous Citations of Achievement by Broadcast Music, Inc. for his work in the country music field. Ray Benson has been one of the strongest names in Country Music for the last forty years. Ray Benson has earned 9 Grammy awards in 4 different decades.

Willie and the Wheel

In February 2009, Asleep at the Wheel and Willie Nelson released "Willie and the Wheel," a western swing collaboration suggested by veteran producer Jerry Wexler. Nelson has a long-time interest in western swing and had toured with the band in 2007.[6] Paul Shaffer and Vince Gill also perform on this album.

Discography

Albums

Title Album details
Beyond Time
A Little Piece
  • Release date: January 21, 2014
  • Label: Bismeaux Records
Songs from a Stolen Spring (Compilation)[7]

Singles

Year Single Peak positions
US Country
[8]
1991 "Four Scores and Seven Beers Ago" 67

Music videos

Year Video Director
1998 "Texas" (with Charlie Daniels and Lee Roy Parnell) Peter Zavadil

References

  1. ↑ CMT.com : Ray Benson : Biography
  2. ↑ "Allmusic - Ray Benson". All Media Guide. Retrieved 2007-12-17.
  3. ↑ "AATW Story - Ray Benson". Asleep at the Wheel. Retrieved 2007-12-17.
  4. ↑ "A Jewish singer towers over country western scene"
  5. ↑ from an interview on episode 179 of the Americana Music Show, released February 17, 2014
  6. ↑ http://www.willieandthewheel.com/album.php
  7. ↑ "Songs From A Stolen Spring". Valley Entertainment. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  8. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Hot Country Songs 1944–2012. Record Research, Inc. p. 39. ISBN 978-0-89820-203-8.
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