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.

[2] 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.

[3] As a result of so many personnel changes and departures, Framed features a reduced lineup of just seven members, including debutants Maryann Price on vocals,[4] Bobby Black on pedal steel guitar,[5] Dean Demmerritt on bass and Billy Estes on drums.

[8] It was originally reported that the group was set to record its first album for the label with esteemed rhythm and blues producer Jerry Wexler,[9] however this idea was later snubbed and the band's frontman Ray Benson ultimately handled the role.

[13] Discussing the background and production of Framed, frontman Benson claimed in a 2003 interview that a directive from MCA was responsible for the album's departure from country and Western swing music, recalling that "The guy at the record label said, "Look, I'll give you X amount of dollars to make a record that's anything but country or Western swing music."

[19] Another review in the same publication a week later noted that "many of the tunes are a little "rockier" than past Asleep works," but assured readers that the "distinctive Wheel sound is still intact".

"[23] Ostrow also praised the orchestral performances as "smooth" and "polished", commended female vocalists Chris O'Connell and Maryann Price for their "bubbling harmonies", and applauded frontman Ray Benson's "cool crooning" voice.