Our Artist to Watch for April, The Red Clay Strays, come all the way from Mobile, Alabama but they’re increasingly just about everywhere. The group makes Southern rock, with classic country songwriting and wailing guitars. They’re steeped in music history, naming Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Jerry Lee Lewis as major inspirations. You can hear it in their sound, perfectly pitched between Cash’s haunting poignancy and Skynyrd’s electric punch.
In 2022, the Red Clay Strays released their debut album, Moment of Truth, featuring the breakout smash “Wondering Why.” Over the course of their career, they have opened for myriad artists, including Nikki Lane, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Kip Moore. The band has also played at an astounding range of festivals including Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, CMA Fest, and Under the Big Sky. More recently, they’ve joined the tours of major stars like Erich Church, Elle King, and Dierks Bentley as an opening act. Last year, the band embarked on their first headlining tour, entitled the Way Too Long tour. They also released a live EP: The Red Clay Strays LIVE AF Sessions.
2024 is shaping up to be the biggest year yet for the group, as they prepare to open for a variety of artists including Kat Hasty, Adam Hood, Troubadour Blue, Calder Allen, and more. Stay tuned to WXPN for more updates on the band.
