Asleep at the Wheel wakes up the Franklin!

By VICKI LANGDON
      Nashville, TN

 The self-proclaimed Kings of Western Swing lived up to that name during a sold-out performance Aug. 24 at Franklin, Tenn.’s Franklin Theatre.

Introduced by longtime friend Naomi Judd, the seven-piece Asleep At The Wheel group, joined at intervals during the show by a saxophone player, rolled their way through over 90 minutes of non-stop favorites. The show included a reunion for two former Asleep At The Wheel fiddlers, Larry Franklin and Aaron Till. Franklin and Till joined the group on stage for four tunes, including stunning three-fiddle renditions (with current Asleep At The Wheel fiddler Jason Roberts) of “Faded Love,” “San Antonio Rose” and “Roly Poly.” Band leader and 2011 Texan of the Year Ray Benson gave a nod to fellow Texan and Country Music Hall of Fame member (the late) Cindy Walker, offering flawless versions of “Sugar Moon” and “You Don’t Know Me” to the packed house.