Take it Back to Texas

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning "Take It Back to Texas" by Marc Benno from his album of the same name, and the Zoo Freaks are loving it. This track, steeped in Texas blues and rock vibes, captures Benno’s knack for blending soulful grit with a laid-back swagger. While specific stories about the song itself are scarce, Benno’s own words from a 2013 interview on his website hint at the creative energy behind his work. He described his recording sessions as wild, likening a collaborator to “a wild gorilla” who’d stop sessions for quirky lunches like oxtails and Jack Daniels straight from the bottle. This raw, unpolished spirit likely fueled "Take It Back to Texas," a song that feels like a dusty road trip through the Lone Star State.

Another tidbit comes from the album’s context, as noted on Discogs. Recorded with a tight crew including a young Stevie Ray Vaughan, the album showcases Benno’s ability to channel Texas’s musical soul. In a marcbenno.com interview, Benno recalled giving Vaughan his first big break in Hollywood, a move that tied their legacies together. The song’s twangy guitar and honky-tonk piano echo the early ‘70s blues-rock scene Benno helped shape, with fans on Last.fm praising its authentic Southern vibe. Though Benno hasn’t shared direct anecdotes about the track on social media, his Instagram often nods to his Texas roots, with posts about Hill Country life that mirror the song’s hometown pride.

Marc Benno’s journey to becoming a Texas music legend started in Dallas, where he was born on July 1, 1947. As a kid, he was already strumming guitars and tickling piano keys, soaking up the blues and rock ‘n’ roll that pulsed through the city. By the late ‘60s, he was gigging in Austin bands, rubbing shoulders with future stars like Steve Miller and Boz Scaggs, according to his bio. His big break came when he moved to Los Angeles and teamed up with Leon Russell to form the Asylum Choir, a duo that dropped a hit album in the early ‘70s. This led to a solo deal with A&M Records, where he cut four albums, including the 1972 standout Ambush. Benno’s resume also boasts collaborations with icons like The Doors, where he added his signature guitar to L.A. Woman, and a Grammy-winning song for Beverly Hills Cop.

Fans can keep up with Benno’s latest moves on his official website, where he shares news about releases like his CD Survivor. His Facebook page is a hub for updates and fan comments, like one from a listener who’s been spinning Asylum Choir II for over 50 years. On Instagram, Benno posts about his music and Texas life, though he’s less active on X, where he occasionally shares thoughts. For fan communities, there’s no major dedicated website, but The Marc Benno Fan Club on Facebook is a spot where Zoo Freaks and others swap stories and celebrate his work. Benno’s music, especially tracks like "Take It Back to Texas," keeps his legacy alive for fans old and new.