caption website associated_acts years_active article_title name background birth_date instrument genre image origin birth_name occupation
ray benson performing in april 2008 -lsb- http://www.raybenson.com www.raybenson.com -rsb- asleep at the wheel 1969 -- present ray benson
 ray benson solo_singer 16 march 1951 guitar western swing , country music ray benson 15april2008.jpg philadelphia , pennsylvania ray benson seifert singer , songwriter , producer
ray benson

ray benson -lrb- born march 16 , 1951 -rrb- is the front man of the western swing band asleep at the wheel .
in 1970 , benson , a jewish native of philadelphia , formed asleep at the wheel with friends lucky oceans and leroy preston .
the group relocated to austin in 1973 after a suggestion from willie nelson .
since then , the group has released more than 20 albums and earned 9 grammy awards .
though the band 's lineup has changed greatly over the years -lrb- about 90 people have been part of asleep at the wheel at some point -rrb- , benson has always remained at the helm as the band 's driving force .
in addition to his work with asleep at the wheel , benson is also an accomplished producer whose credits include albums by dale watson , suzy bogguss , aaron watson , james hand and carolyn wonderland ; also single tracks for willie nelson , aaron neville , brad paisley , pam tillis , trace adkins , merle haggard , and vince gill .
in 2003 , benson released his first solo album entitled `` beyond time '' .
benson is also a founding member of the rhythm and blues foundation , which raises money to help aging r&b artists , and a member of the board of directors of the sims foundation , which provides low-cost mental health services to austin musicians and their families .
he is also a trustee for the texas chapter of naras , a board member of st davids community health foundation , and a board member and founding member of health alliance for austin musicians -lrb- haam -rrb- .
ray benson is the host of the texas music scene tv show .
in an interview , benson said that when he was on the board of directors for austin city limits , he urged them to start a spin-off show that focused on texas bands because austin city limits had grown beyond its original scope to become an international show .
later he had the opportunity to work with executive producer tom hoitsma to host the texas music scene tv , which showcases texas bands .
benson is 6 feet , 7 inches tall with size 16 eee feet .
