GREENSBORO – Leroy Preston, founder of the popular country band, Asleep at the Wheel, Taryn Noelle who was voted Western Swing Female Vocalist of the Year in 2019, and Paul Asbell, recognized as one of Vermont’s greatest guitar players, have joined with Lucas Adler on drums, Michael Zsoldas on sax, Clyde Stats on bass and Chuck Eller on keyboards. Together they might be called a supergroup reminiscent of Crosby, Nash, Stills and Young. They will be performing at the Highland Center on Saturday, June 28.
Preston’s song credits include many of Asleep at the Wheel’s well known numbers including “The Letter Johnie Walker Read.” His songs have been covered by other notable artists such as Rosanne Cash (“My Baby Thinks He’s a Train”), k.d. Lang (“Full Moon Full of Love”), Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes, Los Lobos, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Ruth Brown, Maria Muldaur, and countless others.
In 2023, Leroy enlisted the services of Unknown Blues Band veterans, Paul Asbell, Chas Eller, and Clyde Stats, along with drummer Jeff Salisbury, to record a new collection of songs that Preston had written and as might be expected, great things happened. These new songs are a soulful blend of country, blues, jazz, and swing that create what Preston is calling, “a songwriter’s album.”
The Unknown Blues Band has backed up B.B. King alumnus, Big Joe Burrell for over 25 years. They have also toured extensively with blues icon, Paul Butterfield, as well as been the backup band for shows with New Orleans own, Marva Wright and Kenny Neal.
This top-notch supergroup is bringing their new style to uniquely American music and are performing on Saturday, June 28 at the Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro, Vermont. Tickets are available at highlandartsvt.org/calendar/
David Kelley is a Vermont attorney. He lives in Greensboro and is a former chair of the Hazen Union School Board. He was part of the legal team that represented more than two dozen rural elementary school districts that appealed forced mergers under Act 46.
