May 20, 2021
In case you missed it.
George Strait is returning to Las Vegas, NV this summer for the first time in over a year! Two of his concerts, A Strait to Vegas that were supposed to happen in August 2020 are now happening in August 2021. In a press release, Strait says, “The Ace in the Hole Band and I have been looking forward to this day for a year and a half. I cannot wait to see Vegas and all of my great fans once again. It’s been way too long. We will finally ride again. See you soon.
Caitlyn Smith will be a special guest at both concerts. Tickets for the original shows will be honored. New tickets are available on his website.
Article Contributed by IVPR | Published on Monday, May 17, 2021
Fifty years ago before Americana or outlaw or cosmic country ever had a name Ray Benson and his band
Asleep at the Wheel were carrying the torch of some of America’s favorite music into the future with fiery live shows, droves of followers, and a mainstream swing sound all their own. Fast forward five decades to find Benson and crew still bearing that torch, albeit with quite a few more fans and albums under their belt. To begin the celebration of its 50th anniversary, Asleep at the Wheel is releasing some new music ahead of a quick jaunt through Texas and Missouri this June an appetizer of sorts for what’s to come from their momentous anniversary year. On May 28th, the band will release a three-song EP dubbed The Better Times, produced by Benson for Bismeaux Records. Benson takes the lead vocal on the title track, a hopeful original written while riding out the pandemic. Asleep at the Wheel vocalist and
Asleep at the Wheel Kicks Off 50th Anniversary With New EP broadwayworld.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from broadwayworld.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Today’s best known band playing Western swing comes from an unlikely source – West Virginia. Since 1969 Asleep at the Wheel has both preserved and advanced this nearly forgotten subgenre of country music through their tributes to previous generations of musicians as well as their own innovations that keep the music in the present.
Initially playing straight country, the band switched to Western swing after hearing Merle Haggards’ A Tribute to the Best Damn Fiddle Player in the World. They soon had a regular gig in Berkeley, WV and would be called on to open rock shows in the DC area.
Photo: Audrey Billups
Johnny Nicholas’ music cannot be pigeonholed in one specific genre, from the beginning of his amazing life and musical journey to today. Nicholas’ latest release,
Mistaken Identity, spans the breadth of his roots music sounds, ranging from blues (“She Stole My Mojo,” here) and Tex-Mex, to honky-tonk and rockabilly and all but one track on this album are originals.
After finishing school, Nicholas hitchhiked and train-hopped in search of the artists and music he loved. He forged relationships with many legends of the blues, western swing, honky-tonk music and the melting pot for it all: South Louisiana and Southeast Texas. He headed north, and led the burgeoning blues scene in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and for years was a mainstay at the Ann Arbor Blues Festival.