Over 50 years! That’s how long Ray Benson and his band Asleep at the Wheel have been together in Texas, continuously finding that balance between preserving the original magic of Western swing while freshening it up with each new album and personnel change. As a result, they remain the most important force in keeping the sound of Western swing alive. They’re celebrating with an extra-big emphasis on their love for the Lone Star State here, with help from folks like Billy Strings and (fellow Texan) Lyle Lovett.

September 12th sees the release of Shawn Camp’s The Ghost of Sis Draper, which features 10 songs co-written by Camp and the late Guy Clark, as well as one solo Clark composition. All of the songs are centered around their famous character, immortalized in the song you may already be familiar with (we featured one of the variations of the title track for “New Tunes at 2” last week). We’re looking forward to seeing Shawn at the Earl Scruggs Music Festival coming up this weekend, both with his Earls of Leicester (he sings Lester Flatt’s part) and with another of Clark’s frequent collaborators, Verlon Thompson.

Hayes crafts songs that allow us to take a good look at ourselves – the good, the bad, and even the absurd – through his character narratives and sage perspectives. On his tenth album (release date August 8th on Thirty Tigers), Carll turns the mirror back on himself for the most deeply introspective, reflective work he has created to date. "Like John Prine, Carll has a clever, concise style of communicating serious concepts, frequently through dark humor, displaying world-weary truths underneath wry lyrics." (American Songwriter).

The ever prolific Charley Crockett has already released his second album of the year. Once again joined by co-producer Shooter Jennings, the new one marks the second installment in The Sagebrush Trilogy, coming just five months after Lonesome Drifter, part one of the trilogy and his Island Records debut.

“Eight and a half years separated Total Freedom and its predecessor, Voyageur, so the five years between albums for Kathleen Edwards now feels like the blink of an eye. For her new one, Billionaire, the Ottawa musician teamed up with producers Jason Isbell and Gena Johnson for 10 tracks of chugging rock and razor-sharp songwriting.” -Pitchfork

From his colorful characters, to the jaw-clenching descriptions of the challenges of modern-day America, to the subtle, dry wit that helps us cope with said challenges; any James McMurtry song does a good job at explaining what so many WNCW fans love about the singer/songwriter/guitarist. Get to know this latest collection from the 63-year-old sage.

Produced by Grammy Award-winner Shooter Jennings (Brandi Carlile, Tanya Tucker), American Romance cements Nelson as a singular artist, as he showcases his songwriting dexterity in a way that feels both familiar and new. Reflecting on the project, Nelson shares, “This album is the first chapter in a whole new era of my life as an artist. It’s a love story to the country that raised me. Diners and highways that carried me through the joy and pain that led to the music you hear now.” He’s embarked on an extensive tour that includes the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion (September 19-21.)

Lake Street Dive singer Rachael Price and guitarist/songwriter Vilray Bolles have their 3rd collaboration out, and this time it’s an out-of-time vision of their beloved New York City, inspired by Vilray’s recent fascination with classic musicals. Recorded at Sear Sound in New York City, West of Broadway features saxophonist Steve Wilson (Chick Corea’s Origin sextet) and drummer John Riley (Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie). Comedian and late-night TV host Stephen Colbert, a longtime fan, also appears on the album version of “Off Broadway.” “There’s so much imagery in the lyrics,” says Price. “I think a fun way to listen to the record would be to go for a walk and let the songs play out like a little movie in your mind.”