By Ali Webb
Buckle up your boots country music lovers! Internationally renowned western swing and honky-tonk super group Asleep At The Wheel is heading out west, headlining the annual Out On The Weekend event for their first ever Australian show.
Asleep At The Wheel have spent over 50 years on the touring circuit, holding prime position in the American roots music landscape since 1973. Over this time, Asleep At The Wheel have gone on to secure 10 Grammy Awards and release over 20 albums.
It all began 55 years ago when musicians Ray Benson and Lucky Oceans formed Asleep At The Wheel on a farm in Paw Paw, West Virginia. In a moment of luck for their feel-good, honky-tonk country style, the band were quickly noticed and were soon on the road supporting the likes of Alice Cooper and Hot Tuna.
It took some kind words from none other than Van Morrison in a Rolling Stone article for Asleep At The Wheel to land a record deal with United Artists which resulted in the release of their 1973 debut album, Comin’ Right At Ya.
Willie Nelson took a liking to the incredible sounds and invited the band to Austin, Texas in 1974, where Asleep At The Wheel has been based ever since. Over the past five decades, the band have seen a rotating list of guest artists and have played and recorded with Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Blind Boys of Alabama and more.
In their Australian debut at Out On The Weekend, Asleep At The Wheel will take music fans through all forms of country and western music, playing their hits as well as special songs from their five-decades-long career in a show billed as The Past, The Present and The Future. The line-up will feature original founding members Ray Benson and (longtime Australian resident) Lucky Oceans. Stars of the modern Americana genre, Joshua Hedley and Brennen Leigh will join the band all the way from the U.S of A for this extraordinary premiere event which will please fans of honky tonk and country.
So get on down to Out On The Weekend in picturesque Williamstown, a boutique music and BBQ festival celebrating all things alt-country and Americana featuring amazing country and western pioneers from Australia and abroad.
Out On The Weekend takes place on Saturday 14 October at Seaworks, Williamstown. Tickets available now at outontheweekend.com.au
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