Asleep at the Wheel

"Asleep at the Wheel," an Austin,Texas, based-band, performed in the Olathe, Kansas, Free Summer Concert series on June 11, 2010.

One of my old favorite bands came to town on Friday, June 11, 2010,  — “Asleep at the Wheel” (With a headline like “Asleep at the Wheel,” you might have thought this would be a political post!)  The band performed in the Olathe (Kansas) Free Concert Series.  Fortunately, great friends got us great seats up front, because I got delayed walking the lovely but labor intensive dog, Loki.  (More about Loki in a future post…)

One of the music lovers at the concert sports a tattoo featuring a guitar and a harmonica.

Years ago, my husband and I heard “Asleep at the Wheel” in Kansas City in another free concert series on another humid summer night, and the band was just as awesome last night.  Sounds like we’re a pair of real cheapskates with a hankering for Texas swing! 

Ray Benson, the founder of "Asleep at the Wheel."

Under the direction of founder and lead singer Ray Benson, “Asleep at the Wheel” is in its fortieth year.  Some of the band members are barely even half that age. The band has undergone a lot of changes in membership, but still maintains that polished yet over-the-top Texas sound. Ye Haw!  

“Asleep at the Wheel” has won nine Grammys.  The “Wheel” has performed and recorded with many outstanding entertainers, such as Willie Nelson and The Dixie Chicks. (See Barack Obama sing with Asleep at the Wheel in a 2008 video below. Someone should have loaned the future prez a cowboy hat!)   In 2005, “Asleep at the Wheel” debuted its tribute play to Bob Wills, the king of Western Swing.  Check out the websites below for more information.

Jason Roberts and Elizabeth McQueen of the Texas Swing band "Asleep at the Wheel" in Olathe, Kansas, on June 11, 2010.

“Asleep at the Wheel” playing their iconic “Route 66.”

Barack Obama joins in with “Asleep at the Wheel.”

Listen to”Asleep at the Wheel” on their MySpace page.

“Asleep at the Wheel” official website.

“Asleep at the Wheel” entry on Wikipedia.

“A Ride With Bob” website.

Olathe Free Summer Concert Series.