Pilot Peak Presents

THE BANDS

Asleep At The Wheel
The nine time Grammy™ winning Kings of Texas Swing!

Over the course of the last 37 years, Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have boldly defied the fickle lures othe mainstream -- and thrived -- by sticking to their noble cause of keeping that distinctly American of art forms, western swing, alive and kicking. Along the way, they've been awarded nine Grammys, entertained millions and won praise and admiration from the likes of Willie Nelson to Bob Dylan, George Strait to Van Morrison. Asleep at the Wheel has been called the “post-modern kings of western swing,” and given their storied history, it is a title that few would question.

Asleep at the Wheel is an American musical institution: a kinship of like-minded musicians (over 80 members to date) united under Benson's crusade to carry the torch of big band western swing music into the 21st century. Case in point is the latest lineup, which is not only spectacularly talented but also noticeably youthful. As Ray reflects, “It is amazing to me at this point in 2006 compared to 1970 when I started the band. My whole intent was to bring the music back to my generation. We’ve done what we set out to do and it’s just grown. Now, we have a whole new generation doing it, and we have a whole new band.”

The result is the brand new CD "Reinventing the Wheel", the first feature release from the band in seven years and a fitting title for the band’s return to its roots, albeit with some fresh faces. As newest member and vocalist Elizabeth McQueen suggests, “…it’s come full circle and it’s back to that original review concept of Asleep at the Wheel, with lots of different styles of music and different singers trading off, which makes it really great.” –John Wooley

Band Members:
Ray Benson - Lead and Vocals Jason Roberts - Fiddle, Guitar, Mandolin and Vocals
Eddie Rivers - Steel Guitar and Sax David Miller - Bass and Vocals David Sanger - Drums Elizabeth McQueen - Guitar and Vocals John Michael Whitby - Piano

plus opening the show, Nevada County's own...

Cousin Cricket

The band first formed in 1974 inNorth San Juan, CA. Cousin Cricket has played all over Nevada County and out of state. Ken Miele has been performing his entire life. He first sang on the "Ray Heatherton Show" on the radio in 1960 in New York. After performing as an actor and singer in and around off-Broadway in New York City, he went on a tour of the US with the Marko Puppet Theater as a musician/puppeteer. Eventually he settled in the Bay Area, and went to work on two films with Nicholas Ray (director of "Rebel Without a Cause"). This led to a movie shot in the south of Texas with Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel, along with Waylon Jennings, Delbeut Mclenton etc...A love of western music led to a 35 year tour as the leader of a western band, Cousin Cricket.

This show will also be a showcase party for their brand new CD which features several special guests. Also of note, the title track of their new CD "Ride The Rails To Reno", was made into a music video with the award winning Flexitoon Puppets and Craig Marin.

Check out their music at: myspace.com/cousincricketband