I don’t want to speak too soon, but are the ACMs becoming the first award show in some time that’s doing right by country music?
The Academy of Country Music is handing out another early win for New Duo or Group of the Year to the Mobile, Alabama group the Red Clay Strays.
LET’S F***ING GO!
“JUST IN! The Red Clay Strays were surprised with their first ACM Award after being named ACM New Duo or Group of the Year while recording with Dave Cobb in Savannah, GA.”
Hot damn Alabama is on a roll, confirming they are producing some of the best acts in country music as Ella Langley also won her first ACM Award for New Female Artist of the Year. 2025 is off to a hot start for Alabama music.
While most everyone here will agree that the Red Clay Strays are beyond deserving of this award, it’s only right to dive into why that’s a fact. The Red Clay Strays might not consider themselves a solely country group, but regardless of their genre, there’s no denying they make good music.
Frontman Brandon Coleman once told Rolling Stone that he feels they fit better into the Americana genre.
“I don’t think we’re country. I love country music. That’s what I was raised on. If anything, we’re Americana. And it’s funny, because actual country music like Sturgill and Tyler Childers get lumped into Americana.”
Fans who have championed the Red Clay Strays from the beginning have watched their rise into fame from their debut record, Moment of Truth, in 2022, to their incredible follow-up project from 2024 titled Made by These Moments. Songs like “Wondering Why” and “Wanna Be Loved” went viral on TikTok, and the band proved they were more than a viral sensation, packing their tour schedule with as many shows as possible, showing they were true road dogs.
With Coleman’s Elvis-like stage presence they captured the hearts of fans and successfully did what most musicians struggle with: putting asses in seats, and quickly began selling out show after show. Given that the group’s electric live shows bring their heartfelt and raw lyrics to life even more, it was no surprise when they gained popularity among music lovers.
They have the juice… it’s as simple as that.
Their hard work paid off when the CMA Awards nominated them for Vocal Group of the Year, but sh*t the bed when they gave the award to Old Dominion (again) even though that do didn’t even release new music last year. To say fans were upset is an understatement; many were ready to riot.
But today the group is recognized for their accomplishments, winning their first ACM Award. This is the third early award the Academy has handed out, naming Zach Top and Ella Langley as New Female & Male Artist of the Year.
While there are still plenty of awards to hand out in Frisco, Texas, on May 8th, for once, it feels like the ACMs are awarding the artists who have kept their nose to the grindstone and truly captured the hearts of country fans, it’s not just the artists who play the radio game. It’s still early, but for once, it feels like an award show is heading in the right direction. Keep it up, ACM Awards…
Before you go, fire up one of the Red Clay Strays’ songs from their stellar Ryman debut. Congratulations, boys, this win was well deserved.
