The Red Clay Strays aren’t the kind of band to let chaos slide: Not on stage, and definitely not in the crowd.
During their show last night in Cleveland, things came to a sudden stop when frontman Brandon Coleman spotted something troubling happening in the pit. What started as a small disruption quickly turned serious:
“Well, sorry ladies and gentlemen. Yeah, they’re trying to kill each other down here.”
The band paused as the situation unfolded. But then, the tone shifted completely.
“Did he hit a woman?”
That’s when the crowd turned. Boos erupted as it became clear someone had allegedly hit his partner during the show. Brandon didn’t hold back. He calmly but firmly told the man:
“You should probably just leave.”
The guy got booed out of the venue. And rightfully so.
It’s one thing to act out at a show. It’s another to cross a line like that, especially at a Red Clay Strays concert, where the music is storytelling, not violence.
Coleman checked back in with the crowd to make sure everything was good before the band got back into the music. But it was clear: they weren’t moving on until things were handled.
You can watch the clip here:
@kimmarshall147 Red Clay Strays stopped a song to have a guy thrown out for hitting a woman. Cleveland keeping it classy #redclaystrays #cleveland
The comments say it all:
“Awesome show”
“Not cool. Good show though!”
“What a shame.”
“We were there right beside it happening! Some people down there were so rude. Disappointing for sure.”
This isn’t the first time The Red Clay Strays have stopped a set to protect the energy in the room. They’re known for watching out for their fans, whether it’s asking people not to throw things or stepping in when something’s off.
Let’s hope this kind of thing never happens at another show. But if it does, it’s clear The Red Clay Strays will handle it exactly how they should.
Lainey Wilson & Red Clay Strays Cover Johnny Cash
Taking the fans to church.
Lainey Wilson and the Red Clay Strays’ frontman, Brandon Coleman, is a duo that I want to see more of. When you take two powerhouse vocalists, magic happens. And when you take two powerhouse vocalists and give them a booming Johnny Cash song to cover, you can’t look away and are left with your jaw on the floor.
Lainey Wilson hit the stage recently at the Ottawa Bluesfest, bringing her Louisiana twang to the north. The Bell Bottom Country star put on her regular show with her high-energy stage presence, performing hits like “Hold My Halo,” “Hillbilly Hippie,” and “Country’s Cool Again.” But her show took a turn when she surprised fans by bringing out the frontman for the Red Clay Strays, Brandon Coleman.
These two could have sung a multitude of songs that are traditionally duets, but instead they decided to make a song a duet while tipping their hat to The Man In Black. The two laid down a stellar duet of “God’s Gonna Cut You Down.”
“God’s Gonna Cut You Down” was initially recorded by the Golden Gate Quartet and The Jubalaires back in 1947, but Johnny Cash covered the song and made it his own. It was one of the last songs he ever recorded before his passing in 2003. It was released posthumously on his 2006 album, American V: A Hundred Highways
The song is compelling and is one of Cash’s deep cuts, with the melodic ticking of the instrumental arrangement paired with his deep vocals. In Cash’s version of the song, you can’t help but feel like you’re being preached at. This is partially true, as the lyrics suggest that even if you feel like you are evading the consequences of your sins, you will eventually have to face them again when you meet divine judgment.
“… Well my goodness gracious let me tell you the news
My head’s been wet with the midnight dew
I’ve been down on bended knee
Talkin’ to the man from Galilee
… He spoke to me in the voice so sweet
I thought I heard the shuffle of the angel’s feet
He called my name and my heart stood still
When he said, ‘John, go do my will!'”
When Coleman and Wilson hit the stage to perform their rendition, Wilson lets Coleman take the lead. Given that Coleman interlaces many of the Red Clay Strays lyrics with religious references, this song is a perfect fit for him, and his demanding vocal delivery instantly transports the audience to a church setting. Wilson lets Coleman shine and set the tone for their duet before the two switch off verses.
Given that this is not something the two regularly perform, there are moments when they are not perfectly in sync; however, that’s part of the charm of an impromptu performance, and it lends this moment a very authentic feel. The whole performance is captivating from start to finish, and it would make Johnny Cash proud.
If this is what Lainey Wilson and Brandon Coleman can do for a live performance, if they got in the studio to cut this, I think we’d all be blown out of our seats. I’m here for this pairing.
