Dale Watson and Ray Benson Announce “Dale and Ray” Duets Album

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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

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