Ray Benson on Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark and Willie Nelson

[@WLBarton4466]

The stories of the 60's and 70's singer songwriters never get old.

[@theheadofdaviddixon]

Ray Benson is royalty and these interview videos are pure gold. Thank you for the effort you put in to capturing these great stories by great artists, it's much appreciated.

[@devonfulton1759]

Townes stories !!!!!!!!!!! The reason I found out about Otis. Thanks Big Ray and Otis Gibbs!!

[@terryblankenshipmusic1322]

The episodes with Ray Benson are great

[@odhutch5806]

Not an interview. Just a great conversation. Thanks Otis and Ray.

[@georgegonzalez1996]

I’m a blues, R&B, jazz rock & roll guy. But I saw Asleep at the Wheel in the mid 70s in one of the casinos in South Lake Tahoe. Well, that was the night that I became a life long “Wheel” fan and also began to listen to Bob Wills and other country/bluegrass. So, thank you Ray for turning me on to this style of music.

[@explorn66]

Another great video. Man it's good to hear the old stories. Takes me back to the hot summers in the 70s working with my dad listening to the songs of those people he's talking about. Wow, seems like yesterday. How time flies! Now, I'm not sure who tells better stories, Ray or Kenny Vaughan. LOL There both excellent story tellers. Keep up the great work Otis. You the man!

[@jdfolbre]

Ray is a big deal in my musical journey. I'll never forget the night I saw Asleep at the Wheel open for Willie Nelson & George Strait at Strahan Coliseum in San Marcos, Tx. 'Boy, you're gonna drive me to drinkin' if you don't stop driving that Hot Rod Lincoln!' Changed my 15 YO life!!

[@als1023]

Great story tellers ,, never get old ,, When this authentic ,, they get better with age.

[@scottsatterthwaite5056]

Great stories. Ray Benson is wonderful.

[@nortin1o]

just commenting because I love these stories.

[@robertbillingsley8555]

My Lord. What a great interview Otis.

[@eddygreen3631]

"if you have an imagination--there it is." Amazing work, sir.

[@barrymazor7534]

Semi-fun fact: when Ray was 5 and I was 6 we lived a couple blocks from each other-though we didn’t figure that out till we talked music as adults.

[@hippydippy]

I could listen to Roy stories until I die. He is just so damn fascinating. Thanks for sharing.

[@gordonmoore-sl2jr]

This is just SO GOOD!! We spoke once years ago at the Bottom Line, you won't remember, and I knew then you were GOLDEN.....and you still are!! THANKS for being YOU!

[@marksmith334]

Ray is a top guy, seen it all. Still fronts a great band.

[@macdaddy63]

Enjoying more Ray Benson stories!!

[@earlthepearl3922]

Great interviews with this gentleman. I really enjoyed listening to him.

[@tacmason]

Much respect to Both of you men !

[@Cletus-so5gr]

i've been loving these episodes with ray!

[@ToddWeiss-p6y]

WoW ! Stark stories from Ray. Plain Spoken & Deep in every way . Once again Thank You Ottis !

[@slimcoogan3277]

I was on the edge of my seat ears tuned listening to every word. WoW! 👍

[@brettski2532]

Banking BENNIE’s off the windshield into your mouth slayed OTIS & me. 😂😂

[@donscott763]

Definitely going to listen to a lot more Asleep at the Wheel. I'm so glad he figured it out.

[@tkreitler]

Ray has been right in the thick of it for such a long time. He obviously enjoys telling these stories and I sure like hearing them.

[@JPete-fo8ss]

I enjoy them always, but I loved that one! Thanks, gents!

[@gamoonbat]

I remember seeing "Asleep at the Wheel" on the Vanderbilt campus around 1977 or 1978. I think that it was a free concert. At any rate, there was a terrible thunderstorm that arrived just after they got on stage. They played right through that and there were lightning strikes and terrible shocks to some of the musicians on stage. Ray Benson is definitely a driving force bringing longhaired kids to Texas swing and country music and vice versa. Still going strong!!!

[@anthonystephan656]

Otis: One of your best !!!!!

[@raywood4223]

From one Ray to another listened to you again today with a slightly dinged up heart . It landed me on Johnny Cash and I'm thankful for it. So Thank you Ray your welcome Ray. ❤✌️😎

[@ish474]

imagine interrupting your guy Clark stories by casually going Stevie Vaughan was a friend of mine😂❤❤❤

[@AlanDavison]

I love that he is so candid. Great series with Ray.

[@SandyB.-yd1gv]

A SRV story! Great stories, thanks for posting.

[@stratchoker8765]

Remember these times so well. In the 70s I was working for a band called Sugarloaf. White crosses! “…take about 10…if it don’t work, take 10 more. $85 a week.

[@RobertMartin-vy8qc]

A person can appreciate how difficult it is for musicians, even if they have substantial talent, to make a decent living at their trade. It's not all glitz and loads of cash. Ray has made a good living with music, but he worked hard. For sure the industry can be cruel for those with desire but not enough talent. Most of the time the cream rises to the top but the story of how they got there is very entertaining!

[@chetcalhoun613]

Great video Otis! Thanks for sharing!

[@pfigen8350]

Your best interview yet. I could listen to Ray for hours.

[@gordonmoore-sl2jr]

All True!! The life of the REAL Artist! Like YOU Benson. Thanks for the REMINDER...!!

[@tacmason]

Super, it is super great for Ray to be so candid. Thank you both !

[@timothydobelbower5487]

Love these, Otis, and I think this is my new favorite.

[@jcstone4236]

Thanks Mr Gibbs.

[@anthonymcgill8035]

These Ray Benson interviews are solid gold…hope he gets around to putting a memoir together. Thanks for sharing, buddy.

[@slickbama8322]

Just like PT Barnum circus, had advance men going out couple months ahead and plaster the town with posters! Glad you're upright Ray! Asleep at the Wheel was the first non rock band I liked and ya'll led me to Waylon-Willie and so forth. Long may you play.

[@ronwarnick5248]

I was a member many years ago of a listserv called Postcard2 where former Austin disc jockey Joe Gracey was a member. Joe wrote that when Willie was in the middle of his IRS troubles, he'd show up at some honky-tonk near Austin and play with the house band, just like Ray said.

[@rddavies]

Epic interview, Otis!

[@user-mad7max11dystopia]

So did Ray take the pills not to fall Asleep at the Wheel? Great great video!

[@sayeager5559]

Consistently t;he best stuff on KZbin.

[@scottkidwell3601]

Thoroughly enjoying these interviews and stories Thanks, y'all 🙏🏻🤍

[@ricksaint2000]

Thank you Otis & Ray

[@davidfulginiti5985]

thanks Ray & Otis-----------------as real as it gets!!!

[@rodneyharouff5739]

those were fun days for us.

[@davecas3175]

Ray is such a great wealth of knowledge. These videos are great as always. Thank you !

[@Chiller11]

Great episode. Pancho and Lefty was my favourite road song way back in the day. Either Townes’ version or Emmylou Harris’ version would do. Guy Clarke, Willis Allen Ramsey were favourites of mine as well.

[@t9cstudio]

Saw AATW at an annual fundraising event in Mountain Home, TX and got on the inside steps of their bus. The aroma was potent! Once noticed, someone quickly ran me out of there. 😂

[@otisgibbs]

Subscribe to Ray's (Asleep At The Wheel) channel and tell 'em Otis sent ya! kzbin.info

[@devonfulton1759]

@@otisgibbs Done. How did I not subscribe to his channel before? Thanks again for making these interviews happen Otis.

[@Caperhere]

Thank you both. I think I’ve read Dylan used uppers to write in his younger days, too.

[@eddygreen3631]

Godd#$m, Otis. These are great stories. wow.

[@hazegreen1896]

Ive been lucky enough to see Willie with the wheel many times from big stadiums to small spots like the Spoke. The wheel's drummer is great and he is one of the few guys that can lock(ish) with Willie. Though there is always the first song where they kind of work it out and get on the same vibe/high level. Ray is right about that Tobie Keith song too. Willie kept playing that song for years and years but thankfully the last few years he tends to have bloody mary morning in that spot which is infinitely better.

[@Joefaf104]

Otis, it was just a pleasure to get to say “hi” on Wednesday night. Hope you enjoyed Jesse Dayton.

[@cmorales932]

Another great trove of history. Ray Benson is a National Treasure. By the way, regarding scale in Nashville in the early 70’s; $90 then is equal to about $712 in 2024.

[@gonzokompadre]

Wonderful

[@tiddums1151]

Excellent video.

[@rodneyharouff5739]

this shit's funny!! & interesting!

[@BenMassari]

Entertaining as always. But also a introspection on substance abuse that’s important in our community

[@julesotis13]

thanks for the inpsirations as ever brother otis - SJOCR

[@julesotis13]

inspiration is fickle turn off the faucet pressure i dont wanna be in a pickle just getting on by walking alone with you when the shadows dance with the mist lets not even mention Travis Bickle though we all get frustrated blues like a cat called Mance the end of the beginning crusty fresh raw is the gist the moral is none take the high sing dance play like it doesnt matter if you fall SJOCR SF NM End Sep 2024 Yall Inspire from Anywhere

[@crowonawirehome]

I remember the days before the interstates all connected.

[@TheCowboylogic]

Ray Benson is great! The old joke in Austin at the time was all the dumpsters had 'BFI' (Browning Ferris Industries) written on them. The joke was it stood for 'Blaze Foley Inside'. Hilarious!

[@RobertGadfly]

There you go Ray, your next song 'Watching America Go By'

[@rev.farmer7649]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Great Stories ✌🏼&♥️

[@MikeMaselli-p6y]

Love the Mel Tillis story.

[@terrybevis2872]

God bless America! God bless Country Music! In Jesus name. Amen!

[@catheryndenton1766]

I love hearing the business side of things. #thelowdown. :D

[@TheCowboylogic]

Love the pill stories. I remember the old Monfort of Colorado, the 'Circus Wagons', and the 'Monfort Lane'. They'd hand their drivers an envelooe of pills and send them down the road.....

[@JeffChristen-s6s]

read Lawrence Welks 1st book; the drive to stay on the stage and be involved. Thanks Otis.

[@Mr39knuck]

I had to take a break from this fine interview and listen to Mel Tillis walk with me. That song sounds like somebody poured way too much syrup on my pancakes.

[@Thom726]

What a self effacing guy, and a great talent

[@tadmorrison]

My aunt drove a VW bus in the mountains of PA. She swore that the vehicle was designed so that you could clean pot and roll joints at 30 mph going uphill.

[@julesotis13]

i vote that be the song and make it a long song with the one line which is applicable even to not so little growing beyond its means santa fe everyone can relate to that lil lyrical song about the town growing to not being the same...

[@paavoviuhko7250]

Townes and Guy and Blaze. What more do you want.?

[@timothycarter8049]

🤩🤩🤩

[@whatsnottohike]

Looks like a cool house you're filming in. Is this your friend's Todd Fox's place?

[@Bill-cv1xu]

Dave Dudleys Co driver was in his cigarette pack 😮

[@matthewwillis4892]

Get Ray to tell you the story about Ramblin' Jack, alcohol and a bus driver.

[@tiddums1151]

Great to see Ray. But I believe it was Colombia records that fired Johnny Cash. At least at the time..

[@williamperkins7318]

The real McCoy

[@artemisXsidecross]

Harlan Howard a great writer who could keep writing and indulgence separate from his craft. Knowing enough to use your mind to explore and write is not for the meek of spirit who can be sidetracked by the whirl of bright lights and false promises. To be long in the tooth and still be writing and performing may be the best payoff in anyone’s career.

[@otisgibbs]

Ways to support this channel. www.patreon.com/otisgibbs kzbin.info/door/YX2MTovE0vYjD8touqRH7Qjoin Tip jar for anyone who wants to help support this channel. paypal.me/otisgibbs?locale.x=... www.venmo.com/OtisGibbs Paypal: @otisgibbs Venmo: @OtisGibbs