Ray Benson

Ray Benson Seifert (born March 16, 1951) is an American musician, actor, and voice actor who is the frontman of the Western swing band Asleep at the Wheel.

Biography

Benson was raised Jewish. In 1970, Benson, a native of Philadelphia, formed Asleep at the Wheel with friends Lucky Oceans and Leroy Preston in Paw Paw, West Virginia. They were soon joined by Gene Dobkin, a classmate of Benson's at Antioch College, and Chris O'Connell. 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 nine Grammy awards.

Benson released one solo single, "Four Scores and Seven Beers Ago", via Arista Nashville in 1991.

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. It includes the live performance of 15 of Wills’ best-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 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 40 years. He has earned nine Grammy awards in four different decades. On April 12, 2025, Ray Benson was inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame at the State Capitol's Cultural Center Theater in Charleston, West Virginia.

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. Paul Shaffer and Vince Gill also perform on this album.

Filmography Roadie (1980) ... Ray Benson Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect (1990) ... Sir Woodrow (voice) Never Leave Nevada (1990) ... Composer Wild Texas Wind (1991) ... Ray Benson

Discography

Albums Title Album details Beyond Time Release date: June 24, 2003 Label: Audium/Koch Records A Little Piece Release date: January 21, 2014 Label: Bismeaux Records Songs from a Stolen Spring (Compilation) Release date: October 18, 2014 Label: Valley Entertainment/Kirkelig Kulturverksted

Singles Year Single Peak positions US Country 1991 "Four Scores and Seven Beers Ago" 67