Asleep at the Wheel – “a driving musical force…”
by Drew Nazarian - Alaska Pacific University
For the past twenty six years Alaska has been deprived of the driving musical force that is Asleep at the Wheel. That all changed on November 1st, 2008, when Asleep at the Wheel, sponsored by Lynden, performed at the Atwood Concert Hall. The seven-piece band based in Austin, Texas, brought their unique blend of country, blues, and swing to form a symphony of energy and passion.
Executive Director, Jason Hodges talked on stage for only a moment before the vibrant and familiar tune of “Miles and Miles of Texas” kicked in, beginning the eighteen song set with two encores. In the front of the band, going left to right, stood John Whitby on Piano, Ray Benson on Guitar/Vocals, Jason Roberts on Fiddle/Vocals, Elizabeth McQueen on Guitar/Vocals, and Eddie Rivers on Steel Guitar and Saxophone. The rhythm section rounding off the band comprised of David Miller on Bass/Vocals and David Sanger on the Drums.
The band played for a full hour and a half, pausing only occasionally between songs to address the audience or provide some background on their tunes. Asleep at the Wheel’s set varied in song choice from famous songs like “Route 66” and “What a Wonderful World” to some of their own original tunes, like “Am I Right or Amarillo?”
Asleep at the Wheel stood stagnant throughout their performance, preferring to channel their energy into the music they played and sang—and wow, did they sing! Even slow songs like “Faded Love” came across as powerful and strong, with no hint of tiredness in the voices of the singers. The energy radiated by the band came to a culmination in “Bump Bounce Boogie” where nearly every member had a solo showcasing their chops, with Eddie Rivers switching over from Steel Guitar to Saxophone.
The style of music Asleep at the Wheel plays transcends that of “normal” country, and honestly has something to appeal to everyone. I was pleasantly surprised to find myself bobbing my head along with the rest of the crowd, enjoying the show the band put on. Asleep at the Wheel is truly an experience for everyone to enjoy, and it is just a shame that it has been twenty six years since Alaska was graced with their presence; hopefully, they will return again to perform in a much shorter span of time.
Executive Director, Jason Hodges talked on stage for only a moment before the vibrant and familiar tune of “Miles and Miles of Texas” kicked in, beginning the eighteen song set with two encores. In the front of the band, going left to right, stood John Whitby on Piano, Ray Benson on Guitar/Vocals, Jason Roberts on Fiddle/Vocals, Elizabeth McQueen on Guitar/Vocals, and Eddie Rivers on Steel Guitar and Saxophone. The rhythm section rounding off the band comprised of David Miller on Bass/Vocals and David Sanger on the Drums.
The band played for a full hour and a half, pausing only occasionally between songs to address the audience or provide some background on their tunes. Asleep at the Wheel’s set varied in song choice from famous songs like “Route 66” and “What a Wonderful World” to some of their own original tunes, like “Am I Right or Amarillo?”
Asleep at the Wheel stood stagnant throughout their performance, preferring to channel their energy into the music they played and sang—and wow, did they sing! Even slow songs like “Faded Love” came across as powerful and strong, with no hint of tiredness in the voices of the singers. The energy radiated by the band came to a culmination in “Bump Bounce Boogie” where nearly every member had a solo showcasing their chops, with Eddie Rivers switching over from Steel Guitar to Saxophone.
The style of music Asleep at the Wheel plays transcends that of “normal” country, and honestly has something to appeal to everyone. I was pleasantly surprised to find myself bobbing my head along with the rest of the crowd, enjoying the show the band put on. Asleep at the Wheel is truly an experience for everyone to enjoy, and it is just a shame that it has been twenty six years since Alaska was graced with their presence; hopefully, they will return again to perform in a much shorter span of time.
Asleep at the Wheel
Anchorage Concert Association
Saturday, November 1 at 7pm
Alaska Center for the Performing Arts Atwood Concert Hall
Anchorage Concert Association
Saturday, November 1 at 7pm
Alaska Center for the Performing Arts Atwood Concert Hall
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