Inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame in 2015, Austin-based band Asleep at the Wheel is no stranger to ACL. The band performed on ACL TV’s first official episode in 1976, following Willie Nelson’s pilot episode. The band has played every ACL Festival since its inception in 2002 and serves as the annual weekend one opening band. Asleep at the Wheel will join Nelson on stage to celebrate 50 years of ACL TV this year, recording at the Long Center lawn on Oct. 17 a “50th Birthday Bash” episode set for release early next year on PBS. Asleep at the Wheel’s Ray Benson sat down to talk about the 50th anniversary episode and the band’s appearance at ACL Fest’s weekend one.

The Daily Texan: You’ve worked and performed with Willie Nelson throughout your career. What is it like to celebrate this milestone for ACL TV with him, especially as the most frequently performing artist at ACL?

Ray Benson: I met Willie in 1971. The odds of either one of us being still alive at this point in time would have been pretty low back in ‘71, to be here and be productive. Willie is still singing, playing (and) writing songs. He’s a force of nature. I’ve always known that Willie Nelson was one of the greatest artists Texas ever produced, in terms of his work (including music), television, movies and more, and his impact on society (like) Farm Aid (and) the hundreds of charities that he’s worked with. It’s so satisfying to still be around, say ‘Howdy’ and get to play some music with him.

DT: What does it feel like to be such a big part of ACL history?

RB: It’s great because of the quality of the television show and of the success of the show and the festival here in Austin. I’ve lived here 52 years, and I’ve watched the town grow exponentially. Some of it good, some of it not so good. I’m proud to be in Austin, Texas.

DT: Do you have anything special planned for tour?

RB: (I have a) new TV show on the RFD television channel called “Ray’s Roadhouse”, so that’ll be showing. I put out a brand new record, a Ray Benson record. I (made) it in Jamaica with some legendary reggae musicians and with Bob Dylan’s bass player (Tony Garnier) called Swingin’ and Skankin’. 

DT: What does performing at ACL Fest mean to you?

RB: When (founders Bill Stapleton, Bart Knaggs and C3 Presents) first got the idea for this festival, we didn’t know it was going to be successful. We didn’t know if it was going to be done another time. We (didn’t) know if it (would) be one year. To see it successful 22 years (later) is pretty amazing.