Currently celebrating their 40th year, Asleep at the Wheel has kept the art of Western Swing alive and well. Best typified by Bob Wills (the King of Western Swing) in the 1930s and ‘40s, Asleep at the Wheel uses instruments associated with country music (fiddle, steel guitar and others) to perform a wide-ranging repertoire that includes swinging jazz, ballads and cowboy folk songs. The music’s popularity had faded and was in danger of being forgotten when the Wheel made their first recordings in 1973. They caught on fast and by 1977 were voted the Best Country & Western Band by Rolling Stone. Under the direction of Ray... show more

Currently celebrating their 40th year, Asleep at the Wheel has kept the art of Western Swing alive and well. Best typified by Bob Wills (the King of Western Swing) in the 1930s and ‘40s, Asleep at the Wheel uses instruments associated with country music (fiddle, steel guitar and others) to perform a wide-ranging repertoire that includes swinging jazz, ballads and cowboy folk songs. The music’s popularity had faded and was in danger of being forgotten when the Wheel made their first recordings in 1973. They caught on fast and by 1977 were voted the Best Country & Western Band by Rolling Stone. Under the direction of Ray Benson, Asleep at the Wheel has performed “A Ride With Bob: The Bob Wills Musical,” recorded over 25 albums (including the recent Willie & The Wheel with Willie Nelson), and remained the true beacon of Western Swing for fans worldwide. This SFJAZZ performance will be a rollicking tribute to the genre pioneer, Bob Wills.
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