The Briscoe & The Alamo Partner to Reboot Popular “Voices of the West” Series
The Briscoe & The Alamo are proud to bring together history makers and storytellers who embody the pioneering adventurousness and resilience that built the West, putting them on stage in a new event series, “Voices of the West: Living Legends.” The inaugural conversation will feature country music singer, songwriter, actor and nine-time Grammy Award®-winner Ray Benson on Sept. 11 at the Briscoe Western Art Museum, moderated by John Spong, host of the One by Willie podcast. Voices of the West: Living Legends tickets are available online.
Voices of the West initially ran at the Briscoe from 2014 through 2017 and showcased iconic voices such as country music singer Robert Earl Keen, civil rights activist Dolores Huerta and artist Billy Schenck. The rebooted series, which will be presented biannually with dates planned through 2026, will feature acclaimed storytellers from Texas Monthly, notable singers, scholars, and sages to share stories that form the fabric of Texas and the American West. Event proceeds will benefit both the Alamo and the Briscoe.
“Rooted in history and flourishing today, the story of Texas is intertwined with the story of the West, and Texas’ influence on the West is undeniable,” says Liz Jackson, President and CEO of the Briscoe Western Art Museum. “Partnering with the Alamo to share this series and give modern voice to the spirit that’s rooted in the history of Texas is an honor.”
An Icon of Western Swing: Jazz with a Cowboy Hat
Ray Benson is perhaps best known for the Austin institution and nationally- acclaimed group, Asleep at the Wheel. With more than 25 studio and live albums, 10 Grammy Awards®, and the 2009 Americana Music Award for Lifetime Achievement in Performance, the band been part of the American roots music landscape for more than 50 years. Inspired by Western swing and honky-tonk country, the band’s lineup has changed throughout the years, but Benson is a constant, thanks to his ongoing love of Western swing – or what he calls “jazz with a cowboy hat.” He played a pivotal role in establishing the Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame and serves on the board for the Texas Dance Hall Preservation, institutions that honor the legends and establishments who have profoundly shaped Texas’ musical history. He also voices the Alamo’s Victory or Death™ audio tour, sharing 37 stops around the historic Alamo grounds.
John Spong will moderate the inaugural Voices of the West conversation with Benson. Spong hosts One by Willie, a podcast in which he speaks in each episode with one notable Willie Nelson fan — folks like Kacey Musgraves, Lyle Lovett, Sheryl Crow, Booker T. Jones, Whoopi Goldberg, etc.— about one Willie song that they really love, before running down Willie-related rabbit holes. He created the show with Texas Monthly, where he was a longtime staff writer and three-time National Magazine Award nominee, most recently in 2021 as co-editor and lead writer on two large Willie Nelson projects: Willie—Now, More than Ever, a finalist for best single-topic issue; and “All Willie Nelson’s Albums, Reviewed and Ranked,” a book-length, online compendium that was nominated for best digital storytelling.
The kickoff event featuring Ray Benson and John Spong takes place Wednesday, September 11, at the Briscoe Western Art Museum’s Jack Guenther Pavilion. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the dynamic conversation beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online, with general admission tickets priced at $25. A VIP Experience offering an open bar, light appetizers, and a meet-and-greet with Ray Benson will take place before the show and costs $100 a person. Discounts available for Friends of the Alamo members, Briscoe members, military, first responders and seniors.
What:
Voices of the West: Living Legends featuring Ray Benson
Moderated by John Spong
When:
Wednesday, Sept. 11
Doors open at 6 p.m., Event starts at 7 p.m.
Where:
Briscoe Western Art Museum
210 W. Market St., San Antonio, 78205
Tickets:
Available online. Limited tickets available at the door.
About The Briscoe Western Art Museum:
Preserving and presenting the art, history and culture of the American West through engaging exhibitions, educational programs and public events reflective of the region’s rich traditions and shared heritage, the Briscoe Western Art Museum is located on the San Antonio River Walk at 210 W. Market Street in the beautifully restored 1930s former San Antonio Public Library building. Named in honor of the late Texas Gov. Dolph Briscoe Jr. and his wife, Janey Slaughter Briscoe, the museum includes the three-story Jack Guenther Pavilion, used for event rentals and programs, and the outdoor McNutt Sculpture Garden. Follow the Briscoe on social media, @BriscoeMuseum and visit BriscoeMuseum.org.
About Alamo Trust, Inc.:
Alamo Trust, Inc. (ATI) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that oversees the daily operations at the Alamo and implementation of the Alamo Plan. Located in the heart of San Antonio, the Alamo stands as a shrine to Texas Liberty. The Alamo tells the story of Texas Independence as part of its rich and diverse 300-year history to over 1.6 million visitors every year and is the #1 most visited destination in the state of Texas. In 1960, the Alamo was designated a United States National Historic Landmark, and in 2015, it became part of the Lone Star State’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site. Witness living history, experience authentic artifacts, and explore an iconic landmark that shaped the country. Visit theAlamo.org
About Texas Monthly:
Texas Monthly has chronicled life in contemporary Texas since 1973 and publishes vivid, longform storytelling about the Lone Star State, along with reported analysis of its most important trends, and helpful advice on how to best enjoy the state’s many pleasures. Texas Monthly has expanded to serve its audience on multiple platforms, including TexasMonthly.com, live events, videos, and binge-worthy podcasts. It has won 14 National Magazine awards, the Oscars of its industry, and has an impressive total monthly audience of 31 million. Follow Texas Monthly on Facebook @texas.monthly.magazine, Twitter @TexasMonthly, and Instagram @texasmonthly.
