Ask American Profile

Connie Britton, John Madden, Asleep at the Wheel.

Would you tell me about Connie Britton, who co-starred on the popular sitcom Spin City? Where is she now?
—Gene B., Idaho

Britton, who played Nikki Faber on Spin City, has been busy since the series ended. She is co-starring in an ABC mid-season replacement, Lost at Home, which premiered April 1. The Lynchburg, Va., native plays Rachel Davis, a stay-at-home wife and mother who threatens to leave her husband, an ad agency superstar played by Mitch Rouse, unless he cuts back on his workaholic ways and reconnects with his family. Britton’s mom, a former teacher, stayed home to raise Britton and her fraternal twin, Cynthia. Now 35, Britton has been on the big screen, too, starring in the feature films The Next Big Thing and One-Eyed King, and has had a recurring role as Connie Tate in the television drama The West Wing. Britton lives in both New York and Los Angeles and enjoys hiking, biking, running, and doing volunteer work.

John Madden is a high-profile personality in the National Football world. What’s his background?
—Gil K., Illinois

The analyst for Monday Night Football was born in Austin, Minn., and grew up in Daly City, Calif. He and his wife, Virginia, now live in Pleasanton, Calif. They have two sons. Madden, 67, started on both the offensive and defensive lines as a player for California Polytechnic College in 1957 and 1958, where he was also a catcher on the school’s baseball team. The Philadelphia Eagles selected him in the 21st round of the 1958 NFL draft, but a knee injury in his rookie season ended his career. Madden refuses to fly and travels from game to game in a custom-made bus called the “Madden Cruiser.” He spent 21 seasons as a game analyst for CBS and Fox, earning 13 Emmy Awards for outstanding sports personality/analyst. Before that, as head coach of the NFL’s Oakland Raiders, he guided the Raiders to an overall record of 103-32-7, leading the team to seven AFC Western Division titles and a victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI. His winning percentage (.750) is the best of any head coach in NFL history. He is the author of several books.

I’d like to know more about the country music group Asleep at the Wheel. Where are they from and what are some of their albums?
—Carl S., Nevada

There’s an awful lot to tell about this Texas-based band that’s been making music since 1970. Headed up by 6-foot, 7-inch Ray Benson, a native of Philadelphia, Asleep At The Wheel has seen more than 80 different bandmembers come and go over the years. Benson, born in 1951, grew up hearing Big Band music as well as jazz, folk, and country. In 1969, at age 18, he hooked up with Lucky Oceans and Leroy Preston in Paw Paw, W. Va., with the idea of forming a real Western swing band. In 1970, the band played its first big show, with Alice Cooper and Hot Tuna. Van Morrison became a fan, and when he mentioned them in an interview in Rolling Stone, it led to AATW getting a record deal. The group eventually landed in Austin, Texas, where it’s still based, and they’ve released 22 albums, including A Tribute to Bob Wills and its follow-up, Ride With Bob, as well as Swing Time and The Wheel Keeps Rolling. The band has won nine Grammy awards. It still tours, and more than 20 years has put more than 3 million miles on its old bus. Benson will be releasing his first solo album this year, and has been doing some work as a producer for other artists, including Pam Tillis, Trace Adkins, and Suzy Bogguss.

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