The Steel Woods: The Next Big Thing In Southern Rock

Coming off the release of their sophomore album Old News, The Steel Woods, are ready to take the country music and southern rock scene by storm.

The band formed in 2016 after guitarist Jason “Rowdy” Cope, who was once a part of Jamey Johnson’s band, met lead singer Wes Bayliss at a music venue in Nashville. The two immediately hit it off and developed a friendship, and after many fishing trips, writing sessions, and collaborations together, Cope and Bayliss added drummer/vocalist Jay Tooke and bass guitarist Johnny Stanton to the mix, officially forming The Steel Woods.

Still relatively new, The Steel Woods have been growing their grassroots following out on the road while opening for the likes of Miranda Lambert, Blackberry Smoke, Jamey Johnson, Whiskey Myers, and Cody Jinks. Through the release of their first two albums, Straw In The Wind and Old News, they’ve solidified their sound as a mix of traditional honky-tonk, country, and southern rock with lead singer Wes Bayliss’ strong and soulful vocals.

Old News, which was just released in January is comprised of 15 tracks, featuring covers from Merle Haggard, Tom Petty, Gregg Allman, Townes Van Zandt, Wayne Mills, and Black Sabbath, along with 9 originals.

Here’s a taste.

Tom Petty’s “Southern Accents”

“Rock That Says My Name”

“Straw In The Wind”

I saw The Steel Woods open for Cody Jinks back in November and was completely blown away by their talent and live sound.

They’ll be out touring various venues across the U.S. through this coming summer and I highly recommend checking them out if they’re coming to a city near you. Given that The Steel Woods have only been a full band for such a short period of time, I guarantee in a few years, if not much sooner, these guys will be a household name in southern rock and country music.

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