Ray Benson

Ray Benson
Ray Benson performing in April 2008
Background information
Birth name	Ray Benson Seifert
Born	(1951-03-16) March 16, 1951 (age 65)
Origin	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Genres	Western Swing, Country Music
Occupation(s)	Singer, Songwriter, Producer
Instruments	Guitar
Years active	1969–present
Associated acts	Asleep at the Wheel, Willie Nelson, Jodi Benson
Website	www.raybenson.com

Ray Benson (born March 16, 1951) is the front man of the Western swing band Asleep at the Wheel.

In 1970, Benson, a Jewish native of Philadelphia, formed Asleep at the Wheel with friends Lucky Oceans and Leroy Preston. The group relocated to Austin in 1973 after a suggestion from Willie Nelson .

Since then, the group has released more than 20 albums and earned 9 Grammy awards. Though the band's lineup has changed greatly over the years (about 90 people have been part of Asleep at the Wheel at some point), Benson has always remained at the helm as the band's driving force.

In addition to his work with Asleep at the Wheel, Benson is also an accomplished producer whose credits include albums by Dale Watson, Suzy Bogguss, Aaron Watson, James Hand and Carolyn Wonderland; also single tracks for Willie Nelson, Aaron Neville, Brad Paisley, Pam Tillis, Trace Adkins, Merle Haggard, and Vince Gill.

In 2003, Benson released his first solo album entitled Beyond Time.

Benson is also a founding member of the Rhythm and Blues Foundation, which raises money to help aging R&B artists, and a member of the board of directors of the SIMS Foundation, which provides low-cost mental health services to Austin musicians and their families. He is also a trustee for the Texas chapter of NARAS, a board member of St Davids Community Health Foundation, and a board member and founding member of Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM).