The Steel Woods show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville Friday night (11-22) took on special significance. After nearly 10 years of touring and four critically-acclaimed albums, it was time for them to take their final bow.
‘Leather (Deluxe Edition)’ doesn’t just add 13 tracks to his current album. It continues to add to Cody Johnson’s solid legacy as a consistent and trusted traditional-leaning performer, impervious to the temptation to sell out.
Southern rock fans, and fans of The Steel Woods specifically woke up to the sad news on Thursday (3-28) that the band, and namely the lead singer, guitar player, and primary songwriter, Wes Bayliss, had decided to cease touring.
The Steel Woods stand on stage as modern-day Southern rock Gods. On what’s now their fourth full-length album, there’s no reason to measure them against any other, no need to attempt to draw comparisons.
All three of the previous albums by The Steel Woods earned high marks for songwriting, musicianship, and originality while remaining grounded in Southern rock roots. We should expect ‘On Your Time’ to be no different.
Now celebrating five years of gathering in festival form, KOKEFest attracts a huge crowd of local KOKEheads, as well as people from across the country who want to get the genuine Texas country experience, including those who regularly listen to the station remotely online.
What some studious fans of their music may have picked up on, and others may have missed, is a continuing story line across the band’s now three albums, with a recurring cast of characters and events, similar to the character “Lorrie” in Turnpike Troubadours songs.
“All of Your Stones” symbolizes a triumph of spirit, and a realization of a dream. Whether Jason “Rowdy” Cope knew in some cosmic way that his time was limited, or the words and real-life circumstances intersected solely due to coincidence, he made this record like it could be his last.
Country and Southern rock band The Steel Woods just made their first live appearance back after the tragic death of their guitarist and founding father Jason “Rowdy” Cope on January 16th, and one of the band’s closest friends was there to offer his support.
At the time of Rowdy’s death, The Steel Woods were in the midst of preparing to release what they believe to be their magnum opus, written and recorded with Rowdy called ‘All Of Your Stones.’ To honor Jason “Rowdy” Cope and to bring his final work to life, they are soldering forward.
Founding guitarist for fast-rising and critically-acclaimed Southern rock band The Steel Woods, and long time session guitarist and touring member of Jamey Johnson’s backing band, Jason “Rowdy” Cope, has died according to the band. The Steel Woods shared the news Saturday evening.
The Southern rock side of the country music space is blessed with some serious stalwart bands that have been around for years. At the same time, just like with every genre of music, the flux of bands breaking up and legends passing means there’s always room for fresh faces and new perspectives on the music to help keep it vital.