Wills' music by bringing in very non-Western swing artists like Tim McGraw and the Dixie Chicks. And it worked." Recording for Ride with Bob took place between March 1998 and June 1999 at Bismeaux Studio in Austin, Texas and Hum Depot, Loud Recording and Westwood Sound Studio in Nashville, Tennessee. The album's title was chosen to represent the collection as "a celebration" of Wills' music and influence, which Benson claimed "has not gotten the mainstream due ... [it] deserves". In reference to the selection of songs to record for Ride with Bob, Benson added that "This one has more of the styles of western swing that are so varied. We covered a lot on the last one, but this album has three big band numbers, then there's the Dixieland styles, and then there's the classic string band stuff." Ride with Bob was released on August 10, 1999 by DreamWorks Records. All of the album's recording sessions were filmed for a making-of video to be aired as a television special around the same time as the album's release. The video, produced by Benson and Dan Karlok, was also aired at the Austin Film Festival on October 14, 1999. Reception Commercial Ride with Bob: A Tribute to Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys debuted on the US Billboard Top Country Albums chart at its peak position of number 24. It was also the band's first release to register on the US Heatseekers Albums chart, on which it debuted at its number 15 peak. The album reportedly sold 6,000 copies in the US in its first week. Aside from the Billboard charts, Ride with Bob also reached number 1 on the Gavin Report Americana Albums chart, with Ray Benson commenting that, "Not only is it so cool after all these years to finally have a number one record, but to be on a chart with so many great artists is amazing. You look at the other people on this chart, and it makes you feel like your music is in good company." According to Benson, the album sold around 250,000 copies. Critical Critical reviews for Ride with Bob were largely positive. AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine stated, "Since [Asleep at the Wheel's] entire career feels like a living monument to Wills, it almost seems unnecessary for them to record tributes to the "King of Western Swing" – that is, until you hear the