Hailing from Mobile, Alabama, the band known as The Red Clay Strays describe themselves as “born and bred in the red dirt clay of south Alabama.” As with almost every band from the South, their origin unfairly pigeonholes them as a mere “country” band. Lead singer and guitarist Brandon Coleman disagrees. As he recently told a sold-out crowd in Chicago, people call them country because they’re from Alabama, but he thinks they play more rock ‘n roll.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what you call them because their sound transcends genres. It is a sound that has skyrocketed them to fame in only a few short years.
Formed in 2016, the band consists of Coleman, Andrew Bishop (bass), Drew Nix (electric guitar, vocals, harmonica), John Hall (Drums) and Zach Rishel (electric guitar). It wasn’t until April 2022, however, that they released their debut studio album, Moment of Truth. It did little upon initial release, but the single “Wondering Why” went viral in 2023, subsequently charting on the Billboard Hot 100, Hot Rock Songs, Adult Alternative Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts. Their follow-up album released in July 2024, Made by These Moments, similarly charted on both the rock and country charts.
Beyond the charts, the band Won Emerging Artist of the Year at the 2024 Americana Music Honors & Awards, and New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year at the 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards; sold out three nights at the historic Ryman Auditorium (which resulted in Live at the Ryman released in November 2024); and have opened for The Rolling Stones.
Of course, it’s not the accolades that define The Red Clay Strays. It’s their music. And the music stands on its own. Lyrically, the songs are powerfully emotional, exploring themes of vulnerability (“Wanna Be Loved”), struggle (“Drowning”), emotional numbness (“I’m Still Fine”), faith (“God Does”) and individuality (“No One Else Like Me”). In one moment, they unburden the soul (“Moment of Truth,” “Don’t Care,” “Drowning,” “Devil In My Ear,” “I’m Still Fine,” and “Moments”). In the next, they electrify it (“Stone’s Throw,” “Doin’ Time,” “Wasting Time,” and “Ramblin’”).
From timeless 50’s grooves (“Do Me Wrong”), revivals (“On My Knees”) and soul (“Wondering Why”) to country honk (“She’s No Good”) and the song Coleman has described as three chords and the truth (“Disaster”), The Red Clay Strays have created their own musical identity from the sounds that have influenced them at each stop along the musical highway. That highway recently ran through Chicago, where the band played two sold-out nights to an impassioned crowd at the 5,500 capacity Salt Shed Fairgrounds nestled along the banks of the Chicago River.
For two hours, the band covered almost every song from each of their two studio albums, as well as a few singles (“Good Godly Woman” and “Will The Lord Remember Me”), a new song from their upcoming album (“Revival”), a Vince Gill cover (“Look at Us”), and one of Nix’s own (“Between the Lines”). It was a perfect night of music that culminated with a glaringly obvious fact: The Red Clay Strays have arrived.
The band’s tour of the United States continues through October. For more information on dates, visit their website.
