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Asleep at the Wheel’s Ray Benson Recovers From COVID-19

“I’m back in the saddle again,” he told fans.

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

April 17, 2020

Ray Benson; Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for A+E Networks

Asleep at the Wheel co-founder and frontman Ray Benson has recovered from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Benson, 69, shared the news on Wednesday, telling fans, “I kicked that son of a gun and I’m back.”

Ray Benson @aatw1969 has recovered from COVID-19 and is "back in the saddle" with a new episode of "Austin Outer Limits" premiering SAT 4/18 8pET @SIRIUSXM Ch59 & streaming free here: https://t.co/JYze3UOtgA pic.twitter.com/CFFugEb5Ag

— Willie's Roadhouse (@SXMWillie) April 15, 2020

The singer, who is also an actor and voice actor, detailed his diagnosis in a Facebook post on March 31, revealing that he had been feeling the effects of the illness for several days before he was able to get tested.

“Well folks, the bad news I’ve contracted the coronavirus,” he wrote. “Been feeling tired for about 10 days! Went to be tested on the 21st! No tests so went home!”

He later returned and was able to get a test. The results came in less than 24 hours later.

“First call this mornin from lab sayin you got it,” he shared.

After three weeks of being sick, Benson is “back in the saddle.”

He went on to thank people from “all over the world” for thinking of him as he battled the virus.

“I was just overwhelmed, thank you,” he said.

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.