THE WHEELS KEEP ROLLING
Asleep at the Wheel to Perform with BVSO
By NICOLE SHAIR
C
ountry music has strong roots in Texas
and has birthed some of the most-loved
singers and musicians of our time. This is
no different when it comes to American
country music classic Asleep at the Wheel.
Celebrating their 50th anniversary, Texas-
born band Asleep at the Wheel performs in
partnership with the Brazos Valley Symphony
Orchestra on March 22 at 5 p.m. in Rudder
Auditorium. With 10 Grammy Awards, 20
albums, and 20 singles on the Billboard
country charts, AATW has a country-pop
sound, known as “western swing,” which has
enthralled fans across the board.
If there is a pop band that can bridge
the gap between pop and classical
concerts, it is AATW, says Marcelo Bussiki,
music director and conductor of BVSO.
“They have the following of a very
selective and engaged audience that I am
sure will be open to an experience with a
symphony orchestra,” Bussiki says. “For
the ‘classical,’ so to speak, concert goer,
this will be a good entry into a diverse
world of Asleep at the Wheel.”
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AATW was established when Ray Benson,
Floyd Domino, and Lucky Oceans, along
with Leroy Preston, Chris O’Connell, and
Gene Dobkin joined forces. They started
with a simple goal: to play and help revive
American-roots music.
What began as an opening gig
for Alice Cooper and Hot Tuna in
Washington, D.C., in 1970 led to a
mention by Van Morrison during a
Rolling Stones interview, which gained
the band record offers and soon fame.
Recent additions Katie Shore, Dennis
Ludiker, Connor Forsyth, and Josh Hoag
have brought a new sound and style to the
band’s Western twang, joining Benson and
David Sanger for the now six-piece band.
What better way to introduce this new
sound than to bring their music to a new
generation with the help of BVSO?
The idea behind having AATW perform
with BVSO came about during a live
performance. The uniqueness of the band,
the richness of their arrangements, and
the versatility of their style would make a
great combination for a joint concert with
the symphony and would provide a fresh
sound to the community, Bussiki says.
“I approached the band and proposed
a performance with the BVSO, which they
agreed to, and, a couple of years later,
here we are at their 50th anniversary
tour,” Bussiki says. “At the time, I was
unaware that they had symphony charts
ready, which made for a much simpler
undertaking.”
The BVSO has made a strong effort in
the last few years to expand their season
and music genres by including a few more
“pop” programs to help bring the concert
in line with the steps to explore this path
of music, Bussiki says.
“This show can open new doors for our
Bryan College Station music community
and symphony goers,” Bussiki says. “The
main purpose of this show is to offer a
unique, fun live musical experience.”
For more information on Asleep at
the Wheel and to purchase tickets for the
show, visit boxoffice.tamu.edu. i