Resume
RAY BENSON – THE OFFICIAL PARTIAL LIST OF CREDITS
MUSIC RECORDINGS
Performer:
- Comin’ Right at Ya, United Artists, 1973
- Asleep At The Wheel, Epic, 1974
- Texas Gold, Capitol, 1975
- Wheelin’ and Dealin’, Capitol, 1976
- The Wheel, Capitol, 1977
- Collision Course, Capitol, 1978
- Served Live, Capitol, 1979
- Framed, Capitol, 1980
- Pasture Prime, MCA-Dot, Demon and Stoney Plains, 1985
- Asleep At The Wheel: 10, Epic/CBS, 1987
- Western Standard Time, Epic/ CBS, 1988
- Keepin’ Me Up Nights, Arista, 1990
- Live & Kickin’ (Greatest Hits), Arista, 1992
- Tribute To The Music Of Bob Wills And The Texas Playboys, Liberty, 1993
- The Wheel Keeps On Rollin’, Capitol Nashville, 1995
- Live, Epic/ Lucky Dog, 1997
- Merry Texas Christmas, Y’all, High Street Records, 1997
- Ride With Bob, Dreamworks 1999
- Very Best of Asleep At The Wheel, Relentless Nashville 2001
- Texas Fiddle Man, Jason Roberts, Bismeaux, 2002
- Hang Up My Spurs, Cracker Barrel Heritage Series, 2002
- Live in Concert, InAkustik, Germany, DVD, 2003
- Beyond Time, Ray Benson Solo, Audium/Koch, 2003
- Asleep at the Wheel Remembers the Alamo, Shout! Factory, 2003
- Asleep at the Wheel Live at Billy Bob’s Texas, Smith Music, 2003
- Wave on Wave, Pat Green, Universal, 2003
- Mad Dogs & Okies, Jamie Oldaker, Concord Music Group, 2005
- Heart Wide Open, Tish Hinojosa, 2005
- HillBilly Shakespeare, Eugene Chrysler, Dan Karlok, 2006
- Why The Hell Not, The Songs of Kinky Friedman, Various Artists, Sustain, 2006
- Asleep at the Wheel Live at Austin City Limits, New West, 2006
- Asleep at the Wheel Best of: On the Road, Madacy, 2006
- Asleep at the Wheel Santa Loves to Boogie, Bismeaux, 2006
- Asleep at the Wheel Reinventing the Wheel, Bismeaux, 2006
- Dang Me, Willie Nelson & Jack Ingram, Cracker Barrel, 2006
- The Truth Will Set You Free, James Hand, Rounder, 2006
- San Angelo, Aaron Watson, 2006
- Lucky Steels the Wheel, Lucky Oceans/Asleep at the Wheel, 2007
- Always Lift Him Up: A Tribute to Blind Alfred Reed, Various Artists, 2007
- With the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Asleep at the Wheel, Bismeaux, 2007
- Angels and Outlaws, Aaron Watson, 2008
- Miss Understood, Carolyn Wonderland, Bismeaux, 2008
- Willie and the Wheel, Willie Nelson & Asleep at the Wheel, Bismeaux 2009
- It’s a Good Day, Asleep at the Wheel and Leon Rausch, Bismeaux 2010
- Sinners & Saints, Raul Malo, Fantasy/Concord, 2010
Album and/or Songs Producer:
- Served Live, Capitol, 1979
- Framed, MCA, 1980
- Pasture Prime, MCA-Dot, 1985
- Duets, * “Stardust,” Aaron Neville (Rob Wasserman “Duets”album), 1985
- Island In The Sea, * “Nobody There But Me,” Bruce Hornsby, Willie Nelson duet, CBS, 1986
- Asleep At The Wheel: 10, Epic/CBS, 1987
- Darden Smith, Epic/CBS, 1987
- Western Standard Time, Epic/CBS, 1988
- Keepin’ Me Up Nights, + Arista, 1990
- Live & Kickin’ (Greatest Hits), Arista, 1992
- Route 66, ** Liberty/Capitol, 1992
- Tribute To The Music Of Bob Wills And The Texas Playboys, Liberty, 1993
- Rolling Stone From Texas, + Don Walser, Watermelon, 1994
- The Wheel Keeps On Rollin’, + Capitol Nashville, 1995
- Texas Top Hand, + Don Walser, Watermelon, 1995
- Way out West Wylie and the Wild West Show, 1996
- Back To The Future, LIVE!, + Epic/Lucky Dog, 1997
- Merry Texas Christmas, Y’all, High Street Records, 1997
- Ride With Bob, Dreamworks 1999
- Very Best of Asleep At The Wheel, Relentless Nashville 2001
- Poet:: A Tribute to Townes Van Zant, “If I Needed You,” Pedernales/FreeFalls, 2001*
- Hang Up My Spurs, Cracker Barrel Heritage Series, 2002
- It’s All Relative: Tillis Sings Tillis, Pam Tillis, Lucky Dog 2002+
- Texas Fiddle Man, Jason Roberts, Bismeaux, 2002
- Live at Billy Bob’s Texas, CD and DVD, Smith Music Group, 2003
- Swing, Suzy Bogguss, Compadre Records, 2003
- Beyond Time, Ray Benson Solo, Audium/Koch, 2003
- Asleep at the Wheel Remembers The Alamo, Shout! Factory, 2003
- Asleep at the Wheel Live at Billy Bob’s Texas, Smith Music, 2003
- Toots and the Maytalls & Willie Nelson, V2 Records, 2003*
- The Honky Tonk Kid, Aaron Watson, Sonnet Publishing, 2004
- Selected Shorts, Dan Hicks & the Hot Licks, SurfDog, 2004
- Dreamland, Dale Watson, Koch Records, 2004
- Ten in Texas, Various Artists, Ice House Music, 2005
- Asleep at the Wheel Santa Loves to Boogie, Bismeaux, 2006 (CD)
- Asleep at the Wheel Reinventing the Wheel, Bismeaux, 2006 (CD)
- RollerGirls, Original Soundtrack, 2006*
- San Angelo, Aaron Watson, Sonnet, 2006+
- The Truth Will Set You Free, James Hand, Rounder, 2006
- Why The Hell Not, The Songs of Kinky Friedman, Various Artists, Sustain, 2006*
- Brotherhood, Del Castillo, Smilin’ Castle, 2006*
- Miss Understood, Carolyn Wonderland, Bismeaux Records, 2008
- Angels and Outlaws, Aaron Watson, Sonnet, 2008+
- Boots, Buckles & Spurs, Various Artists, 2008*
- Willie and the Wheel, Willie Nelson & Asleep at the Wheel, Bismeaux, 2009+
- Shadow on the Ground, James Hand, Rounder Records, 2009+
- Celebrating with Friends, Johnny Gimble, CMH Records, 2010
- Esta Bueno, Texas Tornados, Bismeaux Records, 2010 (Executive Producer)
- It’s A Good Day, Asleep at the Wheel and Leon Rausch, Bismeaux 2011
* Single Track Only
+ Co-Producer
** Compilation of Capitol Material
THEATRE
Executive Producer / Actor / Co-writer
A Ride With Bob, a full Broadway-scale musical in two acts about Bob Wills & the Texas Playboys. Co-written by Anne Rapp, debuted March 2005 in Austin, since performed sell-outs in 28 cities coast-to-coast, including The Kennedy Center. Underwriters include H-E-B, ExxonMobil, AT&T, Chevron, BP, Texas Tourism, Texas Monthly, Southwest Airlines, Valero. Beneficiaries include Big Brothers Big Sisters, Texas Heritage Music Foundation, Operation Comfort, The National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame, and National Park Foundation.
TELEVISION
- “The Dinah Shore Show” with Bill Cosby, 1975
- “Austin City Limits” Various appearances with Asleep At The Wheel, 1975 – 2002
- “The Mike Douglas Show” with Bob Hope, 1979
- “Swingin’ Over the Rainbow” Willie Nelson, Ray Benson (Concept Producer), Special 1983
- “Hee Haw,” 1990
- “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” August 1990
- “Wild Texas Wind” (Principle actor, Producer & Composer – film score), 1991
- “Hot Country Nights,” NBC, 1992
- “Farm Aid” Co-Host, Nashville Network, March 1992
- “Nashville Now,” Numerous shows, 1984 -1993
- “Texas Connection,” Nashville Network, 1992
- “Country Kitchen” with Florence Henderson, April 1992
- “Conan O’Brien Show,” February 1994
- “Legends,” TNN, November 1994
- “Music City Tonight,” Various appearances, 1995 – 1997
- Various Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music award shows and specials
- “Prime Time Country”, February, July, Dec. 1997
- “Tracy Byrd’s ‘Big Love’ special” March 1997
- “Today’s Country”, July 1997
- “Late Night with Conan O’Brien”, Dec 1999
- “The Letterman Show” Appearance with Dwight Yoakum October 1999
- “The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborne,” 2000
- “The Letterman Show” Guest musician with Paul Schaffer Orchestra March 2001
- “CMT Flameworthy Video Music Awards” On-Camera Master of Ceremonies June 2002
- CMT “Stars Over Texas” Television Special. Host, co-creator, and writer, March 2003
- “The Late Show with David Letterman” with Paul Schaffer Orchestra June 2003
- “CBS Sunday Morning” Profile May, 2007
- “The Late Show with David Letterman” with Paul Schaffer Orchestra February 2008
- “The Late Show with David Letterman” Willie and the Wheel, February 2009
FILM
- “1918,” directed by Horton Foote (Partial score)
- “Alamo Bay,” directed by Louis Malle (Appearance)
- “Cadillac Ranch,” directed by Lisa Gottleib (Cameo Appearance)
- “Liars Moon,” directed by David Fischer (Entire music score)
- “Never Leave Nevada” (Entire Score)
- “Roadie,” directed by Alan Rudolph (Underscore, Source music, and Appearance)
- “Wanda Nevada,” directed by Peter Fonda (Source music)
- “Wild Texas Wind” (Principle actor, Producer & Composer – film score)
- “Willie and Phil,” directed by Paul Mazursky (Source music)
- “Toy Story” (Cameo vocal), Powell Studio Productions, 1999
- “The Making of ‘Ride With Bob’” (Actor and Co-Producer of this long playing documentary film), Directed by Dan Karlok, Dreamworks, 2000
- “Universal Soldier” Columbia Pictures , (Source music performance)
- “The Horse Whisperer,” Disney Productions, 1998 (Produced 1 cut)
- “Assassination Tango,” Directed by Robert Duvall (Original Composition and Performance for Film Score), 2002
- “With the Film Maker” Independent Film Channel feature on Robert Duvall (Music) 2002
- “Texas, The Big Picture” IMAX, Texas, A Land Apart Films, Music Consultant, 2002
COMMERCIALS
- Anheuser-Busch products, 1979-1990; Radio ad production (Producer, Arranger, Writer, Vocals, Musician.) Produced various artists: George Strait, Ricky Van Shelton, Sweethearts of the Rodeo, K.D. Lang, and Asleep At The Wheel.
- Pepsi Cola, 1988 (Voice Over, Vocals, and Musician)
- Don’t Mess With Texas, 1989 (Vocals and Musician)
- Hightower Radio Theme, 1991 (Composer, Producer, and Musician)
- St. Nicholas Hospital, 1991 (Voice Over)
- Delta Airlines Commercial, 1991 (Vocals)
- Texas Department of Human Resources, PSA, 1992 (Composer, Producer, Vocals, and Musician)
- Tracy-Locke, “Texas Lottery Demo”, 1992 (Composer, Producer, Vocals, and Musician)
- Internal Revenue Service, PSA, 1992 (Producer, Vocals, and Musician)
- Coors, 1992 (Producer, Vocals, and Musician)
- Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems, “Miles and Miles of Texas”, 1992 (Producer, Vocals, and Musician)
- Franklin Federal Bank, “What a Texas Bank Should Be” (Background music), 1993 (Composer, Producer, and Musician)
- Levi’s Jeans, 1993 & 1995 (Voice Over, Composer, Producer, Vocals, and Musician)
- McDonalds, “McRib,” “Cajun McChicken,” “Double Cheeseburger” 1995 (Vocals)
- Dreyer’s Ice Cream, 1996 (Voice Over)
- Southwestern Bell, “Miles and Miles of Texas”, 1996 (Producer, Vocals, and Musician)
- Cotton Bowl, “Cotton Bowl True”, 1996, (Composer, Vocals, Producer, and Musician)
- McDonald’s, 1997 (Musician, Vocals, Co-Writer and Co-producer)
- Microsoft Corporation, “Don’t Touch My Boots” 1999
- Holly Dodge Trucks, Middletown, CT, 2002
- Hammonds Homes, “Homebuilder of the year” On-Camera Music and Voice-over, 2002
- Alan Samuels Heart of Texas Dodge, Commercial Jingle, 2003
- Allan Samuels Heart of Texas Dodge, radio jingle and voice work, 2003
- Applebee’s Restaurant, “Steak Stampede” Vocal and voice for National TV and Radio, 2003
- American Suzuki Motor Corp, “Family Adventure/XL7,” Song Master Use, 2003
- Applebee’s Restaurant, “Honey BBQ” Voice for National TV & Radio, 2004
- Applebee’s Restaurant, “I wanna talk Applebee’s” Voice for National TV & Radio, 2004
- Applebee’s Restaurant, “Back in the Saddle Again” Vocal & Voice for National TV & Radio, 2004
- Amdro, “Fire Ant Bait” Voice-over for National TV & Radio, 2005-2006
- Texas Lottery, “Salute to Texas Schools” Voice-over for state-wide TV & Radio, 2006
- Don’t Mess With Texas, “I Wouldn’t Do It” On-Camera Voice, 2006
- “Salt Lick BBQ,” Jingle writer & vocals, May 2008
- “Southpoint Auto” Jingle writer & Vocals, June 2008
- “Austin Water Utility” Jingle writer, vocals and Voice-Over, June 2008
- “This is Texas” Voice-Over, University of Texas Football Spirit Video, 2008
- “Roaring Fork Restaurant”, Jingle writer, vocals and Voice-Over, January 2010
RADIO
- Signature Image Voice for: KVET-FM, Austin, TX (Clear Channel), 2001 – present
- Signature Image Voice for: KFWR-FM, Weatherford, TX (LKCM), 2003-2007
- Image Voice for Belo Corporation, “Texas Cable News Network” 2004
- Signature Image Voice for: KTTX Bryan, TX, 2004-2005
- Signature Image Voice for: KMOO Mineola, TX, 2004-2005
- Signature Image Voice for: Willie FM Denver, CO, 2006
MUSIC VIDEOS
- Way Down Texas Way (Actor, Producer, and Director)
- Hot Rod Lincoln (Actor and Producer)
- Keepin’ Me Up Nights (Actor and Producer)
- Tribute To Bob Wills – Featuring Suzy Bogguss and Lyle Lovett (Actor)
- Bring It On Down To My House (Actor and Producer)
- Lay Down Sally (Actor)
- Boogie Back to Texas (Actor and Co-Producer)
- Christmas In Jail (Actor and Co-Producer)
- Cherokee Maiden (Actor and Co-Producer)
- Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens (Actor and Co-Producer)
- Am I Right (Or Amarillo) (Actor and Co-Producer)
- Hesitation Blues (Actor and Co-Producer)
- It’s a Good Day (with Leon Rausch) (Actor and Co-Producer)
MUSICAL EVENT PRODUCER
Executive Director/Co-Producer:
- Texas Festival at the Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C. June, 1991. Artists included in this project: The Gatlin Brothers, Dixie Chicks, The Geezinslaws, Kelly Willis, Jerry Jeff Walker, Angela Strehli, Marcia Ball, Lou Ann Barton, Delbert McClinton, Katie Webster, C.J. Chenier, Gatemouth Brown, Tish Hinojosa, Texas Tornados, Darden Smith, Sara Hickman, Joe Ely, Bobby Blue Bland, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Butch Hancock, Robert Earl Keen, Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Asleep At The Wheel, Texas Playboys, Chris O’Connell, Jody Nix, Greater Tuna, Nanci Griffith, Willie Nelson, and Little Joe.
- 25th Asleep At The Wheel Anniversary Celebration, Austin, TX, September, 1995.
Music Director/Producer:
- Neiman Marcus 90th Anniversary Gala Celebration, Dallas and Houston, TX, September 1997. Artists included: Marcia Ball Band, Gulf Coast Playboys, Teye Wijntrep, Sara Hickman, Los Fairlanes, Don Walser & The Pure Texas Band, Boxcars, Light Crust Doughboys, Val Phoenix, Asleep At The Wheel, Tom Anastasio Jazz Group and the Hardin Simmons Cowboy Band.
ORGANIZATIONS
- CMA (Country Music Association) – Member
- NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences) – National Trustee
- AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) – Member
- AF of M (American Federation of Musicians) – Member
- ACM (Academy of Country Music) – Board of Directors
- Rhythm and Blues Foundation – Board of Directors & Co-Chair of the Grants Committee
- Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve Board
- KLRU/Austin City Limits – Board of Directors
- SIMS Foundation Board of Directors President
- Treaty Oak Bank Board of Directors
- St. David’s Foundation Board of Directors
- Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, Board of Directors
- Austin Lyric Opera, Advisory Board of Directors
- Ballet Austin, Advisory Board of Directors
AWARDS
- Nine Grammy Awards from 1979-2001
- 2004 “Texas State Musician” appointed by the Texas State Legislature
- Academy of Country Music Band of the Year (touring)-1977
- Austin Music Awards – 1995, Hall of Fame
- Western Swing Society – 1994, Hall of Fame
- Silver Ady Award for McDonald’s Regional Ad – 1995
- Numerous BMI and ASCAP awards (songwriting)
- Southeast Regional Emmy Award for “The Making of Ride With Bob” – 2001
- Austin Music Awards 2002 – Salute to Asleep at the Wheel and Ray Benson
- Austin Music Awards 2006 – Best Country Band, AATW Hall of Fame
- Austin Music Awards 2007 – Best Record Producer, Song Writer, Male Vocals
- Les Paul Award, TEC Awards, Mix Magazine Foundation, 2008
- Lifetime Achievement Award in Performance, Americana Music Association, 2009
- Darryl K. Royal Music Patron Award, Texas Heritage Songwriters Association, 2009
- Austin Music Awards 2010 – Best Acoustic Guitar Player
- 2011 Texas Medal of the Arts Award for Multi-Media
- 2011 Texan of the Year
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
- Founded Asleep at the Wheel in 1970
- Founded Paw Paw Music Publishing in 1975
- Founded Cramden Coach Corporation in 1989
- Founded Bismeaux Productions in 1998
- Founded Bismeaux Studio in 1998
- Treaty Oak Bank, Austin, TX, founding investor
- Founded Bismeaux Records in 2003
- Licensed “Ray Benson’s Rockin’ RB Bar & Asleep at the Wheel Roadhouse” to Delaware North Companies, Austin-Bergstrom Airport, 2009