Asleep at the Wheel's Ray Benson Announce Still The King: A Celebration Of Country and Western Music

(IVPR) From its very beginning, Dallas's Longhorn Ballroom has been a stalwart venue for the Western Swing sound, originally opened by none other than the genre's pioneer, Bob Wills. And in the seventy-six years since then, through different proprietors and seasons of change, it has never stopped hosting the country and Western artists, established or just getting started, who put the Longhorn on the map.

It's only fitting then that when Kessler Presents, current stewards of the Dallas institution, and Asleep at the Wheel's Ray Benson, the reigning torchbearer of Western Swing, wanted to celebrate the Longhorn and the music it helped amplify, they start by honoring the genre which started it all.

On September 12th, the inaugural Still The King celebration will take place at the Longhorn Ballroom, showcasing Bob Wills' Texas Playboys led by Jason Roberts, Asleep at the Wheel, Ben Haggard, Summer Dean, Mallory Eagle, Nicky Diamonds, and The Waymores. Performances will take place throughout the day, both inside the historic Ballroom and in the greater Longhorn campus courtyard. Still The King will host curated vendors, food, games, and two-stepping, rounding out a full day of music and entertainment for everyone from casual good-timers to die-hard Western Swing devotees. Festival sponsors include Central Market and TurtleBox.

"I'm so proud to be presenting the very first Still The King with the Longhorn Ballroom, and we have an amazing full day of Country, Texas and Western Swing music for y'all," says Asleep At The Wheel's Ray Benson. "I've been wanting to do an event like this for a very long time, and I'm so honored to be able to do this at one of the most important and historic venues that we have in Texas. A place that has been so important to the culture and history of Texas music since the 50's. The spirit of this event is to pay homage to the history of Western Swing and all the musical styles that make Texas Music great! To be able to celebrate this great music at the Longhorn Ballroom, the former home of the Bob Wills' Ranch House, is a dream come true. We're gonna be dancin' and swingin' all night long! I can't wait to get there to play music with such an amazing group of artists and bands. I have a feeling we're gonna have some really special collaborations and moments."

Tickets for Still The King are on sale now and can be purchased here

Asleep At The Wheel Recruit Friend Lyle Lovett For 'Long Tall Texan'

Watch Asleep At The Wheel 'Riding High In Texas' With New Video

Asleep At The Wheel Celebrate Texas With New Collection

Dinosaur Jr., Blonde Redhead, Asleep At The Wheel, Joy Formidable, Lead Headline Schellraiser Festival

News > Asleep at the Wheel