LUFKIN, TX. The Angelina Arts Alliance is thrilled to announce the legendary Texas musicians Asleep at the Wheel will perform at the Pines Theater as part of their 50th Anniversary Celebration Tour.

Asleep at the Wheel will kick-off the 2021-2022 Pines Presents Series at the historic Pines Theater on September 23, 2021, beginning at 7pm. This performance replaces the Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass performance previously scheduled to perform but was cancelled by the artist.

The number of individual artists and bands who have sustained a thriving career for a half century is infinitesimally small. Against all odds, Asleep at the Wheel is one of these. The stars aligned in 1970 when three friends Ray Benson, Lucky Oceans and Leroy Preston moved to Paw Paw, West Virginia (it’s not a madeup place, you can look it up). It was there that their dream of forming a band began after a mutual friend gave them access to his uncle’s cabin on an apple orchard just outside of town. The three friends found others who would join them in their mission to play old style Roots/Americana music. This was long before the genre/movement even had a name. After a trip to the outhouse, Lucky lived up to his name and suggested the band be called Asleep at the Wheel and so it was to be for the next 50 years.

Since inception, Asleep at the Wheel has received 10 GRAMMY® Awards, was cited by the Country Music Association as 1976 Touring Band of the Year and were given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Americana Music Association in 2009. They have released 31 albums, charted more than 20 singles on the country charts. Billboard commented on the band’s catalog most succinctly: “Everything this act has ever released is simply spectacular.”

Most recently, Asleep at the Wheel has been invigorated by a fresh new lineup and the release of New Routes, their latest album that is a bracing blend of original songs and vibrant cover material along with some unanticipated new musical tangents. Asleep At the Wheel has demonstrated convincingly, that they are more relevant, enjoyable and musically nimble than at any time in their 50-year history. The 6’7” Ray Benson has been the one constant in Asleep at the Wheel since 1970. He notes, “I've been told that I'm relentless, so I guess I am…. I’m just doing what I believe I’m meant to do — I’m singing and playing and writing better than I ever have. My role and concept of leading a band has never changed, it’s gathering the best musicians I can find or convince to play to the best of their ability, and I just try and make the best decisions possible and kick some ass every night onstage. I’ve made it this far and don’t feel like I or the band will be slowing down anytime soon.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Asleep at the Wheel back to Lufkin for what will surely be an outstanding performance at the Pines Theater! We know there are some die-hard Wheel fans in Lufkin and many new ones about to be made. Their music is quintessential Texas and we just can’t love them enough,” said Jennifer Allen, Executive Director of the Angelina Arts Alliance.

Tickets are on sale now and range from $35 to $45 per seat. Tickets may be purchased online, by phone or in person at www.angelinaarts.org, 936-633-5454 or at 108 S. First Street, in downtown Lufkin.

The Angelina Arts Alliance is a 501(c)3 nonprofit arts and educational organization whose mission is to enrich, entertain and educate by presenting and promoting the arts in East Texas.