Ray Benson News

The fourth annual  Maui Songwriters Festival presented by BMI, happening November 29th- December 1st, combines the lush landscapes and local flavor of Maui with the international acclaim of music's best songwriters. Hosted by Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, this one-of-a-kind festival puts a spotlight on the art of songwriting with intimate sets from an all-star line-up. Country music superstar Miranda Lambert will be headlining the festival along with a  special performance with her supergroup, the Pistol Annies. CMA Best New Artist nominee Luke Combs will also be performing. Tickets go on sale October 6th for all shows and can be purchased by visiting www.mauisongwritersfestival.com.

Vassar and Lonestar announce 'The Not So Silent Night Tour.' To celebrate, Vassar and Lonestar are releasing their Christmas single, 'Not So Silent Night,' on Nov. 2 with a music video to follow. In true holiday spirit, the fan-favorite acts will support The Salvation Army with their tour and single release. For dates and tickets, visit PhilVassar.com and LonestarNow.com.

In 1989, Billy Bob's Texas began a tradition of enshrining those entertainers who sold out the award-winning “Night Club of the Year” by having the celebrity dip their hands in a concrete slab along with adding their signature. Since that time, some of the biggest names in Country Music have done the same, from Dottie West, Conway Twitty, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, and Randy Travis to Keith Urban, Garth Brooks, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Cole Swindell, and now - Midland!

Austin-based nonprofit Swan Songs announces the 2018 Swan Songs Serenade to take place Oct. 17, 2018 at The Community Center of Riverbend Centre for the Arts located at 4214 N. Capital of Texas Highway, Austin, Texas 78746, from 6 - 10 p.m. This event is the nonprofit's annual signature fundraiser featuring a seated dinner, a live and silent auction, VIP sponsor reception and a live concert by Austin-based country-soul band and 2018 Austin Music Awards 'Best Austin Band' Shinyribs. Individual tickets for the event are $150 each and will go on sale Sept. 1; to purchase tickets and for up-to-date information on sponsorships opportunities, auction items and more, please see www.swansongs.org.

The Hot Licks perform classic gems written by the Man himself as well as songs that Dan Hicks loved to cover in his own original style. A blend of Gypsy Jazz, Folk and Swing.

SiriusXM has announced that 50 year Grand Ole Opry veteran, Jeannie Seely, will be joining the Willie's Roadhouse family as an on air personality on Willie Nelson's exclusive classic country channel.  

Acclaimed musician Shooter Jennings along with Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb have collaborated on a new single Do You Love Texas? to benefit Hurricane Harvey relief.

The Flat Rock Playhouse has been awarded a grant of $30,000 by the Community Foundation of Henderson County.

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is pleased to announce its panel of judges for the 2017 competition. Established in 2002, ISC is the world's largest songwriting competition, receiving entries from more than 130 countries.

Shannon McNally releases her tenth studio album, Black Irish today on Compass Records. Produced by Americana icon Rodney Crowell, the album is a turning point in the singer/guitarist's career, the result of recent years of hardship and finding hope through a musical counterpart.

Midsummer Night Swing, Lincoln Center's premier summer dance party, today announced its 2017 season, running June 27 to July 15. Now in its 29th year, the series presents 15 evenings of social dance under the stars, featuring a lineup of artists who reflect the various music styles New York City has to offer. 

Southcentral Foundation and Perseverance Theatre will present The Winter Bear, a play by former Alaska Writer Laureate Anne Hanley, in the communities of Anchorage, Seward, Seldovia and Soldotna. Admission to all performances is free.

The Stars aren't only out to play in February!  This April, Hendersonville's favorite non-profit focused competition returns with five brand-new, local celebrities signed on to Flat Rock Playhouse's third annual Theatre with the Stars! The State Theatre of North Carolina is excited to continue its tradition in this one-night only song, dance and theatre extravaganza in which local "stars" partner with Flat Rock Playhouse "pros" and compete with the hopes of raising the most votes to win the title, as well as $1000 for their selected non-profit of choice.

GRAMMY® Award-winning Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers will salute fellow Texan and music legend Kenny Rogers at the 2017 Texas Medal of Arts Awards onToday, February 22 at the Texas Performing Arts Center in Austin.  The Gatlin Brothers and vocalist Vikki Carr will perform Rogers' classic hit 'Islands In the Stream' before presenting him with theLifetime Achievement Award.  Larry Gatlin and Carr will also perform Rogers' 1980 #1 hit, 'Lady.'

GRAMMY® Award-winning Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers will salute fellow Texan and music legend Kenny Rogers at the 2017 Texas Medal of Arts Awards onWednesday, February 22 at the Texas Performing Arts Center in Austin.  The Gatlin Brothers and vocalist Vikki Carr will perform Rogers' classic hit 'Islands In the Stream' before presenting him with theLifetime Achievement Award.  Larry Gatlin and Carr will also perform Rogers' 1980 #1 hit, 'Lady.'

With Texas twin fiddles and boogie piano, great vocals and sizzling guitars, Ray Benson's Asleep at the Wheel is a 10-time Grammy winning band serving up the very best in western swing and distinctive Wheel favorites, plus a program full of tunes from their all new Christmas collection, Lone Star Christmas Night. Expect melodies like 'Christmas in Cowtown,' 'Baby It's Cold Outside,' 'Deck the Halls Boogie,' 'What Child Is This' and 'Merry Texas Christmas Y'all,' - all with group founder and lead Ray Bensen's inimitable talent and twinkling spirit and the enormous talents of his eight-member band, including the fresh styles of Katie Shore (fiddle, vocals), Dennis Ludiker (fiddle, mandolin) and Connor Forsyth (keyboard, vocals).

The McCallum Theatre presents Asleep at the Wheel and "Merry Texas Christmas, Y'all!" on Sunday, December 18, at 7:00pm.Asleep at the Wheel has recorded two albums of Texas-centric holiday music through its four-decade history, but it was just a few years ago that the group launched this first-ever western swing holiday concert. Expect a wonderful evening that combines Asleep at the Wheel's most popular songs, new material, and holiday favorites such as "Christmas in Jail," "Merry Texas Christmas, Y'all," "Mele Kalikimaka," "Swingin' Silent Night" and many more.

RFD-TV announced the details of its fall 2016 schedule highlighting several new series, new seasons, and returning favorites.

Nashville, TN: The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) today announced its panel of judges for the 2016 competition. Included on the panel are many iconic, high-profile recording artists

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) today announced its panel of judges for the 2016 competition. Included on the panel are many iconic, high-profile recording artists