NO DEPRESSION SESSIONS at Merle Fest: Asleep at the Wheel

No Depression set up the "studio" at the 37th annual MerleFest for a dozen sessions with legends and legends-in-the-making. The festival was founded in 1988 in memory of Doc Watson’s son Merle, and features “traditional plus” music, meaning a broad range of styles from the sweet falsetto harmonies of East L.A. to the high lonesome sounds of the Appalachian Mountains.

Western swing legend Ray Benson led the charge on the first two songs to help us celebrate 55 years (!!!) of Asleep At The Wheel. New AATW member, fiddler and vocalist Ian Stewart, closed out this mini-set with "Lovesick Blues." Please enjoy this performance, and stay tuned for more No Depression x MerleFest '25 sessions in the pipeline. Special thanks to everybody who made this series happen: MerleFest director Wes Whitson and his team of aces including artist relations manager Lindsay Craven, production managers Jim and Katherine, Carrie and Lauren for keeping us fat and happy, Danielle and the Victory Lap family for bringing us together in the first place, and of course to the team at Window World for making it all possible!

Setlist:
"Chattanooga Choo Choo" (Glenn Miller Orchestra)
"Milk Cow Blues" (Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys)
"Lovesick Blues" (Hank Williams)

Personnel:
Ray Benson - lead vocals & guitar
Ian Stewart - fiddle & vocals
James Rodman - keys & backing vocals
Huck Johnson - upright bass
Curtis Clogston - steel guitar
Russ Patterson - drums
Lyon Graulty - horns