For five decades now, legendary Texas swing torchbearers Asleep At The Wheel have called the Lone Star State home. And from the time founding member and still-fearless leader Ray Benson unpacked his things in Austin those years ago, the love affair with his adopted state has never faltered. It’s only fitting that a love letter of sorts be written on this, their fiftieth anniversary together, and what better way to share the love than to cut an entire album—the band’s 32nd—celebrating Texas. Out on August 22nd via Bismeaux Records and Signature Sounds Recordings, the record dubbed Riding High In Texas is a ten-song collection of some of the best songs about the 28th state from a wide range of songwriters like Jimmie Rogers, Guy Clark, and Charlie Daniels—with some A-list collaborations with Lyle Lovett and Billy Strings, to boot.
This week, the Wheel shared an early peek of their new music with an uptempo cover of the Charlie Daniels Band classic simply dubbed “Texas.” Showcasing the newest Asleep At The Wheel member, Ian Stewart, on his fiery fiddle and crooning vocals, “Texas” is also the perfect vessel for the band to show their strengths both individually and as an ensemble, with each instrument popping out for its own time to shine throughout the three-and-a-half-minute swinger. “We loved Charlie and miss him,” says Benson, who kept the arrangement close to his old friend’s original, which was already a perfect fit for the ever-deep Asleep At The Wheel catalog.
Fans can stream or purchase “Texas” today at this link, hear the band’s previously released single, “Texas In My Soul,” here, and pre-order or pre-save Riding High In Texas ahead of its August release right here. Asleep At The Wheel will take the stage at the Door Community Auditorium in Fish Creek, Wisconsin, tonight, June 26th. A full list of tour dates can be found below or at asleepatthewheel.com/tour.
