Framed

Framed is the seventh studio album by American country band Asleep at the Wheel. Recorded at several studios in Austin and Dallas, Texas, it was produced solely by the band's frontman Ray Benson and released on August 5, 1980, as the group's only album on MCA Records. Following the departure of the group's primary songwriter LeRoy Preston (and other members) in 1978, the original material on Framed was written primarily by Benson, with Chris O'Connell the only other credited member. Following numerous lineup changes and the band's departure from Capitol Records after five years, Framed marked a stylistic departure for Asleep at the Wheel, who reduced their regular Bob Wills-influenced Western swing output and explored other genres including rock, easy listening and jazz. The album was the group's first not to feature steel guitarist Lucky Oceans, who left Benson as the sole remaining original member when he left in early 1980 to spend time with his family in Australia. Framed was Asleep at the Wheel's last release to chart in the US for ten years, reaching number 191 on the Billboard 200. The album received generally positive reviews from critics, who applauded the band's experimentation with other genres. However, retrospective commentators and band members have identified this departure as the main reason for the group's subsequent dip in popularity. Framed was the band's last album for five years, as lineup changes and financial issues continued. Background Following the release of the band's sixth studio album Collision Course in 1978, vocalist, guitarist and main songwriter LeRoy Preston, pianist Floyd Domino and fiddler Bill Mabry all left Asleep at the Wheel. By the end of the year, bassist Tony Garnier and drummer Chris York had also been replaced. Several members also left after 1979's Served Live, including four recent additions to the lineup and founding steel guitarist Lucky Oceans, who moved to Australia to be with his family.