Better Times (EP)

Better Times
Better Times
EP by Asleep at the Wheel
Released	May 28, 2021
Recorded	2021
Studio	Bismeaux on the Hill (Austin, Texas); Moonhouse Studio (Austin, Texas);
Genre	Country; Western swing;
Label	Bismeaux
Producer	Ray Benson
Asleep at the Wheel chronology

Better Times is an extended play (EP) by American country band Asleep at the Wheel. Recorded at Bismeaux on the Hill and Moonhouse Studios, it was produced by the group's frontman Ray Benson with Sam "Lightnin'" Seifert, and was released on May 28, 2021 by Benson's own label Bismeaux Productions. Better Times is the group's first release to feature steel guitarist Flavio Pasquetto, who replaced Eddie Rivers in 2019.

Background

According to Asleep at the Wheel frontman Ray Benson, the title track of Better Times was written "after nearly a year of this pandemic", referring to the COVID-19 pandemic, which he likens to "a war with an invisible enemy".^[1] Benson performs lead vocals on the track; fiddler Katie Shore performs lead vocals on "All I'm Asking"; and the pair duet on "Columbus Stockdale Blues".^[2] The band performed "Better Times" at Benson's "birthday bash" during the 2021 South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas.^[3]

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)
1.	"Better Times"	Ray Benson
2.	"All I'm Asking" (originally recorded by the Band of Heathens)	Ed Jurdi Gordy Quist
3.	"Columbus Stockade Blues" (originally recorded by Darby and Tarlton)	Traditional (arr. Benson)

Personnel

Asleep at the Wheel

Ray Benson – guitar, vocals, production
Katie Shore – fiddle, vocals
Flavio Pasquetto – steel guitar
Dennis Ludiker – fiddle, mandolin, backing vocals
Josh Hoag – bass
John Michael Whitby – piano
David Sanger – drums

Guest performers

Ginny Mac – piano, accordion
Floyd Domino – piano
Jason Baczynski – drums
Joey Colarusso – saxophone
Chloe Feoranzo – clarinet

Additional personnel

Sam Seifert – production, engineering, mixing, guitar
Curtis Clogston – engineering
Chris Gage – additional engineering, piano
Eric Conn – mastering
Ellie Newman – art direction
Brooke Hamilton – photography

References

^ Better Times (Media notes). Asleep at the Wheel. Bismeaux Productions. 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ "Asleep at the Wheel kicks off 50th anniversary with new EP, The Better Times". Grateful Web. May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
^ "What happened at SXSW 2021 on Day 1? Stacey Abrams shouts out 'Supernatural', more". Austin360. March 16, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.

[1] Better Times (Media notes). Asleep at the Wheel. Bismeaux Productions. 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[2] "Asleep at the Wheel kicks off 50th anniversary with new EP, The Better Times". Grateful Web. May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.

[3] "What happened at SXSW 2021 on Day 1? Stacey Abrams shouts out 'Supernatural', more". Austin360. March 16, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.

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v t e Asleep at the Wheel
Ray Benson David Sanger Katie Shore Dennis Ludiker Connor Forsyth Josh Hoag Flavio Pasquetto Joey Colarusso Lucky Oceans LeRoy Preston Danny Levin Gene Dobkin Chris O'Connell Emily Paxton Floyd Domino Tony Garnier Richard Casanova Scott Hennige Ed Vizard Link Davis Jr. Bill Mabry Pat "Taco" Ryan Johnny Nicholas Fran Christina Spencer Starnes Dean DeMerritt Maryann Price Bobby Black Brenda Burns Falkner Evans Paul Anastasio Billy Estes Dan Tyack Michael Francis Wally Murphy Jann Browne Steve Schwelling Tom Anastasio Roy McCrory Richard Hormachea Billy Cochran Tim Alexander Larry Franklin Mike Grammar Junior Brown John Ely David Dawson Jon Mitchell Ricky Turpin David Earl Miller Cindy Cashdollar Tommy Beavers Barbara Lamb Monty Gaylord Jason Roberts Chris Booher Rosie Flores John Michael Whitby Jim Murphy Haydn Vitera Eddie Rivers Elizabeth McQueen Walt Roberts Dan Walton Jay Reynolds Emily Gimble Chloe Feoranzo
Studio albums	Comin' Right at Ya Asleep at the Wheel Texas Gold Wheelin' and Dealin' The Wheel Collision Course Framed Pasture Prime 10 Western Standard Time Keepin' Me Up Nights The Wheel Keeps on Rollin' Merry Texas Christmas, Y'all The Very Best of Asleep at the Wheel Hang Up My Spurs Asleep at the Wheel Remembers the Alamo Reinventing the Wheel Willie and the Wheel (with Willie Nelson) New Routes Half a Hundred Years
Tribute albums	Tribute to the Music of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys Ride with Bob: A Tribute to Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys Still the King: Celebrating the Music of Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys
Live albums	Served Live Greatest Hits: Live & Kickin' Back to the Future Now: Live at Arizona Charlie's, Las Vegas Live at Billy Bob's Texas Live from Austin, TX
Compilations	Swing Time Route 66 The Swingin' Best of Asleep at the Wheel
Extended plays	Better Times
Singles	"Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" "The Letter That Johnny Walker Read" "Route 66 " "The House of Blue Lights " "Walk On By" "Hot Rod Lincoln" "Corrine, Corrina" "Lay Down Sally"
Other songs	"Boot Scootin' Boogie" "Cherokee Maiden" "Roly Poly"
Related articles	Band members Discography