A longtime close friend of Willie Nelson, who convinced Ray to move to Austin in the early 70's,
Asleep at the Wheel has spent the years since dedicated to reviving, with slight modernization, the Western swing pioneered by Bob Wills in the '30s and '40s, a hybrid of country, big-band jazz, Cajun fiddling, and be-bop. With frequent personnel changes (there have been more than 80 lineup changes over the past 30 years), Asleep at the Wheel has become a dependable attraction in country and roots-rock circles. The group was founded by three Easterners: lead guitarist/vocalist Ray Benson, rhythm guitarist, vocalist & songwriter Leroy Preston, and pedal steel guitarist Lucky Oceans; female singer Chris O’Connell joined for the debut album. At first they mixed satiric originals with Western swing standards, to the incomprehension of their early record companies. Today the Grammy-winning group is acknowledged as the leading practitioner and champion of Western Swing. In 1974, on the recommendation of Willie Nelson, Asleep at the Wheel resettled in Austin, Texas; the following year the group signed with Capitol and their fame took off.