ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL: FACT SHEET/TIMELINE
A Few of the Notable Milestones for Asleep at the Wheel

1970
Band starts in Paw Paw, West Virginia
Play first "big show" opening for Alice Cooper and Hot Tuna in D.C.

1971
Band moves to California at the invitation of Commander Cody And His Lost Planet Airmen
Van Morrison helps the band to get first record deal by mentioning them in an interview in Rolling Stone Magazine

1973
Debut album Comin’ Right At Ya released by United Artists
At invitation of Willie Nelson and Doug Sahm, moves to Austin, Texas

1974
“ Choo Choo Ch’Boogie” from their second album Asleep at the Wheel is their first chart single

1975
The release of Texas Gold on Capitol Records elevates the band to one of the most popular country acts of the decade, with “The Letter That Johnny Walker Read” becoming a top-ten Country hit.
Band appears on the first regularly scheduled “Austin City Limits” (and have appeared a record ten times since)

1977
Voted Best Country & Western Band by Rolling Stone
Awarded “Touring Band of the Year” by Academy of Country Music
Band tours Europe with Emmylou Harris

1978
Their sixth Grammy™ nomination, for the country instrumental “One O’Clock Jump,” wins, setting in motion seven more Grammy™ wins since.
Band appears in the film Roadie with Meatloaf, Blondie and Art Carney

1979
Their first live album Served Live is recorded at the Austin Opera House

1987
In the first of several comebacks, the album 10 scores big with the Grammy™-winning single “String of Pars”

1991
Ray directs the music and co-stars in the film Wild Texas Wind with Dolly Parton and Gary Busey

1992
Route 66 Tour (66th Anniversary of Route 66)

1993
Tribute to the Music of Bob Wills for Liberty Records, including guest artists Garth Brooks, George Strait and Vince Gill amongst many others, is an instant hit, earning two Grammys™ and a live performance on the Country Music Awards telecast with Lyle Lovett

1995
25th Anniversary Celebration

1997
Old Silver Eagle tour bus with over 3 million miles is retired. Ray and crew begin racking up miles on “Brownie” a somewhat newer Silver Eagle tour coach

1999
Ride With Bob is released by Dreamworks and includes guest performances by the Dixie Chicks, Dwight Yoakam, Willie Nelson, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Manhattan Transfer and others. The ensuing long form documentary The Making of Ride with Bob directed by Dan Karlok, earns a regional Emmy Award. The album wins two Grammy™ Awards, including one for best package design.

2000
Tour with Bob Dylan
George Strait Stadium Tours (2000-2001)

2001
Band’s September 11 performance at the White House is postponed

2002
Ray hosts the CMT special Stars Over Texas in Austin, going toe to toe with Dolly Parton & Vince Gill

2003
Ray releases his first solo record Beyond Time while at the same time managing to make 2 records with the band (Live at Billy Bob’s Texas and Remembers the Alamo) and producing releases by Pam Tillis and Suzy Bogguss

2004
Ray is named the official 2004 Texas State Musician
A Ride with Bob debuts in Austin as part of the celebration of Bob Wills' 100th birthday

2005
2005 Female vocals are reintroduced to the Wheel's repertoire as Elizabeth McQueen joins the band

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