Band Pumping New Life Into Country & Rock Music, Playing To Sold Out Audiences

Jeff Walker,  Entertainment Writer 

The genesis of the band the Red Clay Strays began nearly a decade ago in Mobile Alabama, with several of its members emerging from a cover band. That trio included lead singer Brandon Coleman, bassist Andrew Bishop, and guitarist Drew Nix. Rebranded and focusing on original songs, they added drummer John Hall and guitarist Zach Rishel becoming the core of the Red Clay Strays.

Bishop explains the band's evolution. "Drew and I met in college. Oddly enough we were both working for the football team. I mentioned I play bass guitar and he knew this band looking for members. I kind of got roped into playing with them. That's when I met Brandon. This was all during 2015 and 2016."

He admits playing covers eventually ran its course. "Brandon and I ended up quitting the other two guys. Drew who had been the band's manager decided to join us. By that time John was on board and we found Zach. It was 2017, and we decided we wanted to perform our own music. That's how the Red Clay Strays formed."

And just how did their name come about. "Sadly, that's not really an interesting story. We had bounced names around but nothing seem to stick, mostly because they were stupid or just didn't sound like who we wanted to be. We couldn't agree on anything. My brother Alex actually came up with the Red Clay Strays. It was kind of the last one on the list, so we went with it."

Bishop admits the name stuck because it was catchy and reflected on their roots. "Red clay can be found all over Alabama. So essentially we're paying homage to our home state and where we began." As to the word strays. "Mainly because we all come from different backgrounds." For his contributions, Alex now oversees the VIP experience on tour. "It's only fitting."

Gaining regional success in the southeast drew the attention of Ontourage Management which helped the guys release the single 'Good Godly Woman' featured in the 2019 film 'Doctor Sleep'. 'No Way to Know' and 'Will the Lord Remember Me' followed in 2020, before a worldwide pandemic stalled their initial breakthrough.

Bishop recalls 2020 all too well. "COVID definitely slowed our progress. We thought it was going to be a breakout year for us. We had a big summer set up. Then Brandon and Drew announced they got sick. When that news became apparent, almost every show cancelled. Like everyone else we had to ride the pandemic out." 

Despite decent reviews, the band's 2022 debut album 'Moment of Truth' didn't quite move the needle. However performing at Lollapalooza and CMA Fest in 2023 created a buzz proving the Red Clay Strays were ultimately a live band. "One hundred percent. Those were two really pivotal moments for us. I feel certain we gain a stronger fanbase every time people come to see us perform live."

Bishop adds, "Our growth is somewhat old school. It's been a grassroots movement. "We'd play a show in Charlotte and have 20 people show up. Next time around it would be 40, then 80. The word spread we were a band you wanted to see live."

Even more so, Bishop credits the band progression to their representative Cody Payne, an agent and manager with Conway Entertainment Group and Ontourage Management. "Cody is definitely our biggest asset. We met him maybe eight years ago. He's been in our corner ever since."

He explains further. "Cody completely bought in to what we were doing from day one. The direction of the band, and our music. He helped with a crowdfunding campaign that raised money to produce our first record."

With the pandemic behind them and solid management in place 2023 proved to be their breakout year, mainly due to the single 'Wondering Why'. Released a year earlier, the bluesy sleeper hit blew up on TikTok becoming their biggest hit to date, and the band's first song to reach the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at 71.

It would fair better on Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (10), reaching as high as 18 on Hot Country Songs chart. By June 2024, 'Wondering Why' had amassed over 100 million streams on Spotify. "The internet has been a powerful force for us."

2024 only added to Red Clay Strays' meteoric rise. The band signed a record deal with RCA followed by a publishing deal with with Warner Chappell Music, adding keyboardist Sevans Henderson to complete their overall sound. In May they opened for The Rolling Stones on their Hackney Diamonds Tour at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

July of 2024 saw the release of 'Made by These Moments', their second studio album. The album faired well, reaching #6 on the Americana Folk charts, and 9 and 29 on Billboard's US Country and Top 200 Album charts respectively. The album was produced by Dave Cobb whose credits include Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile, John Prine, Sturgill Simpson, and Jason Isbell. "Dave is a genius. He understands the sound bands are going for." 

The 11 tracks on 'Made by These Moments' celebrate all the incredible moments that have defined the band’s fast-rising success, with the lead single 'Wanna Be Loved' reaching number 27 on the country charts and 18 on the rock format. "It's our first album to resonate with a wide variety of listeners. We're very proud of this record. There's something on it for everyone."

And just how does the songwriting process take place. "I couldn't tell you because I don't write songs. Almost all of our songs are written by Drew and Brandon's younger brother Matthew." Bishop adds, the songs they choose to record have to follow a particular criteria. "Pure and simple, our songs have to mean something."

Bishop says they already have recorded songs for their next album with Cobb once again at the controls. "Should be out next year. Can't say much about it. However, it does have a more 70's rock feel."

Eight years into a career that continues to explode, critics are hard pressed to classify the Red Clay Strays' sound. Regularly they are listed as country, alternative country, Americana, blues, gospel, and southern rock. "I think it's because we all come from different backgrounds, and brought different musical tastes into the band. It's kind of cool to have that kind of reach. That's the beauty of our music. It's so diverse."

Bishop's own influences are varied. "My dad really got me into music at a young age. He was big into the blues. Guys like BB King, Albert King, and Stevie Ray Vaughn. So I grew up listening to that." One legendary band had an impact on all the members of the Red Clay Strays. "Without question, Lynryd Skynyrd is the biggest overlap for all of us. They are the epitome of southern rock."

After grabbing Emerging Artist of the Year at the Americana Music Honors, the band ended 2024 on an even higher note, recording a live album at the famed Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. "We did that over three nights, recording every performance." Bishop admits it was a bit surreal. "For me it felt like an imposter syndrome. You think about all the shows and the history at the Ryman, and you wonder 'do I belong'. It was definitely an experience for sure."

Bishop draws comparisons to the Grand Ole Opry, where he and the band played a year prior. "It's great that we've performed on both stages, but to me the Ryman Auditorium is a much bigger deal. We welcome playing at both, but the Opry is more touristy. Everyone who tours the Opry steps into the circle. That takes a bit of the exclusivity out of it. For me having performed at the Ryman is way more iconic."

Fast forwarding to 2025, the Red Clay Strays couldn't be any more on top of the world, picking up an award (May 8th) for best New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year at the annual Academy of Country Music Awards.

Touring as well appears to be non-stop. "We're in the thick of it. Everything seems to be going our way. I don't think we get a break until we return from Europe." Bishop says the band are well received across the pond. "The crowds over in the UK are wild."

And back home here in America. "It's all been moving so fast. We're playing 10K arenas, and in between we're selling out four and five thousand amphitheaters. It's a bit crazy, but we welcome it."

The Red Clay Strays are primarily up and down coast of the United States during the month of August taking their 'Get Right Tour' from New England to Florida including in St. Augustine on August 20th. Not surprisingly many of the concert dates are sold out. They will appear twice during the Outlaw Music Festival featuring Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan. They head to Europe in September.

South Carolina low country fans can catch them when they perform Friday October 10th as part of Darius Rucker's  annual Riverfront Roundup. For more on their tour schedule overall visit https://www.redclaystrays.com/tour

Want more reason to love the Red Clay Strays. Their Get Right Project is partnering with Fandiem, a fundraising platform that activates the power of the fan community to impact positive change. Together they are offering fans a chance to win a custom signed guitar from the band, with proceeds benefitting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Penelope House, helping to save lives and provide critical support for those impacted by suicide and domestic violence. To donate visit https://fandiem.com/sweeps/win-a-red-clay-strays-custom-signed-gibson-guitar?