Since their rise to fame after their 2022 hit album, Moment of Truth, the Red Clay Strays spill on spiritual inspirations and tease their upcoming album.
Revered NASCAR superstar Dale Earnhardt Jr. nearly nailed it when he described the Red Clay Strays as “kinda like Elvis and Lynyrd Skynyrd was the band” on an episode of his Dale Jr. Download podcast, but even that lofty critique fails to capture the group’s full mystique.
Born out of a cover band cutting it up at bars in and around Mobile, Alabama, the band has gone on to become one of country music’s most sought after groups of young guns off the strength of 2022’s Moment of Truth. The record meets at the confluence of rock ‘n’ roll, country, Delta blues, and gospel to forge soundscapes that serve as a full-fledged spiritual experience thanks in large part to the bravado of Brandon Coleman.
The Red Clay Strays’ frontman known for his captivating performances and clean-cut look has been likened to Elvis preaching from a pulpit on songs like “Stone’s Throw” and “Wondering Why,” the latter of which has netted nearly 50 million streams and even spent a week at #1 on Spotify’s Viral 50 USA Playlist.
Despite the song and the success that has ensued, Coleman says he still goes into every show with the same mindset now that he did when the band was first starting out in 2016.
“I’ve always felt like we were doing the thing,” Coleman confided in C&I. “Just getting to do what we love for a living, even if we weren’t famous, has felt like living the dream, and fortunately bigger shows and opportunities have come along with that. It’s the culmination of what we’ve been working these past seven or eight years for.”
The rise of the Red Clay Strays — rounded out by Drew Nix, Andrew Bishop, John Hall and Zach Rishel — has not only been a testament to the band’s talent, but their collective faith as well. That influence can be felt throughout their breakout album from songs like “Moment of Truth” to “Forgive,” painting a picture of the group’s foundation and blueprint for success in the process.
“Those undertones can be chalked up to God being the reason we’re out here doing what we’re doing,” Coleman explains. “A lot of this journey has been playing shows, working hard and having faith in God. Even out of high school working a job I didn’t want to work I’d be praying for Him to get me out of there because I knew it wasn’t what I was destined to do. Throughout our time as a band we’ve encountered wall after wall that in the moment seemed like we’d never be able to overcome, but sure enough God helped to guide us through. It truly feels like you can accomplish anything with God on your side. At the same time, we’ve worked really hard to get where we are too. You don’t lean against a shovel and pray for a hole.”
That faith has culminated in recent months with the band’s inclusion in the Grand Ole Opry’s NextStage Class of 2024, a trio of sold-out shows at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium coming in September and gigs opening for the likes of Eric Church, Elle King, and Turnpike Troubadours. It also led to the group signing with RCA Records on March 30, whom they plan to release a full-length project with produced by Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell) in the near future.
“Sonically it’s 1,000 times better than Moment Of Truth,” teases Coleman of the band’s forthcoming record. “I don’t think we’ve ever been as proud of an album as we are with this one. People will already recognize some of the songs from live shows, so we’re looking forward to them getting a taste of the studio versions soon.”
Until then, the band continues to revel in its “Moment of Truth,” walking forward in faith and carrying its rock’n roll scripture to bigger and brighter stages. This includes Lonestar State stops at the Sweet Beats Music Festival in Sugar Land on May 5, Troubadour Festival in College Station on May 18, Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth on June 27 and Cottonfest in Lubbock on June 29.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy of Marcie Coleman
