Dale Watson and Ray Benson Announce “Dale and Ray” Duets Album
Two Austin, Texas country music heavyweights are coming together for the very first time come January 6th, 2017 when Dale Watson and Ray Benson release Dale and Ray—a duets album featuring the two traditional country artists dueling it out over original tracks and a handful of covers.
The two names synonymous with Austin have worked the same rooms for years, and it only makes sense they would eventually collaborate. Ray Benson is the current torchbearer for Western Swing as the long-time frontman of Asleep at the Wheel, and Dale Watson is the current majordomo for many traditional country fans as the originator of the Ameripolitan movement. Ray Benson was the master of ceremonies of Dale Watson’s Ameripolitan Awards last February, and will be the MC once again for the 2017 installment of the awards show.
Dale and Ray includes covers of The Louvin Brothers’ “I Wish You Knew,” Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson’s “Write Your Own Songs,” as well as a Buck Owens song. Original songs on the album include “Bus Breakdown,” “I’m Crying, For Crying Time Again,” “Dale and Ray,” and “Feelin’ Haggard.”
Along with the new album, Dale Watson and Ray Benson will embark on a tour together through Texas and the Midwest.
TOUR DATES:
Jan. 6 – The Kessler Theater @ Dallas, TX
Jan. 7 – Gruene Hall @ New Braunfels, TX
Jan. 8 – Broken Spoke @ Austin, TX
Jan. 18 – Sheldon Concert Hall @ St Louis, MO
Jan. 19 – The Castle Theater @ Bloomington, IL
Jan. 20 – The Kent Stage @ Kent, OH
Jan. 21 – Old Town School of Folk Music @ Chicago, IL
Jan. 22 – Knuckleheads @ Kansas City, MO
Jan. 28 – The Heights Theater @ Houston, TX
Jan. 29 – Brass Hall @ Marble Falls, TX
March 3 – Luckenbach @ Fredericksburg, TX
Jordan
November 18, 2016 @ 8:29 pm
So awesome. Can’t wait
Luckyoldsun
November 19, 2016 @ 2:11 am
“Write Your Own Songs,” –with the line, directed at record label executives: “Is your head up your ass, so far that you can’t get it out?–was a Willie and Waylon collaboration. I believe it’s on an album they called “WW II.”
Not that Hag didn’t get ornery in his later years and would not have expressed similar sentiments, but that was not his song.
TwangBob
November 19, 2016 @ 5:49 am
This oughta be a good ‘un! I’ve been a long time fan of AATW (in all of its various configurations) and have enjoyed Dale’s music ever since I first heard “Nashville Rash” on a new country music program on the radio back in 1995. Lookin’ forward to this duo project!
FreeTicketGal
November 19, 2016 @ 4:49 pm
Love them both! Looking forward to this one; thank you for the information!
kev
November 21, 2016 @ 1:27 am
Excellent news! Looking forward to that one!
The Senator
November 21, 2016 @ 7:57 am
Just got a ticket to see both of them perform. Should be wonderful, I’ve seen AATW before, but never got chance to see Dale.
Biscuit
November 21, 2016 @ 8:03 pm
This is incredible good news! I cannot wait for this to be released. Predicting it will be the Ameripolitan Award winner for 2017 Album of The Year!
Break out the Lone Star beer!
Kevin Smith
November 28, 2016 @ 7:19 am
Yippee Kiii Yaay! Just bought tickets for their Ohio tour stop. I’m assuming The Lone Stars are the backing band? If this is half as good in reality as it seems on paper, then it’s gonna be great.