Gazettegives two tickets to “Asleep at the Wheel” concert

By KENNY MITCHELL Publisher of the Bowie-County Citizens Tribune

From the first few notes of their classic “Cherokee Maiden” to the iconic melody of “Happy Trails” Grammy Award winning country band Asleep at the Wheel mesmerized the packed out crowd at Music City Texas Saturday night in Linden. Group founder Ray Benson wowed the audience throughout the entire set and showed that after 45 years of entertaining country music lovers with his signature voice, he can still bring it. And not just Benson, but the whole band had their A game on Saturday night as the instrumentals were some of the best in the business, ranging from Emily Gimble’s upbeat version of Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” to Katie Shore’s violin and vocals version of “Mele Kalikimaka.” Every single song the band did in Linden was highlighted by great instrumental performances, as well as, a broad range of vocals. Steel guitar specialist Eddie Rivers was just as gifted on the saxophone as with his signature instrument and his version of “Blue Christmas” could have been The King himself.