The Steel Woods To Continue On with “All Of Your Stones”
The death of guitar player, songwriter, and founding member of The Steel Woods Jason “Rowdy” Cope on January 16th sent shock waves throughout the independent country and Southern rock world. The 42-year-old was a much beloved member of the community who had also collaborated with scores of other artists as a player and producer, including Jamey Johnson, Lindi Ortega, Brent Cobb, and many others. It also threw the future of one of the fastest-rising bands in independent country into uncertainty.
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, and after much soul searching, the remaining members of The Steel Woods have decided to soldier on, and will be releasing the album on May 14th via Thirty Tigers.
Lead singer Wes Bayliss, bassist Johnny Stanton, and drummer Isaac Senty will continue forward with the blessing of Rowdy’s family and with what they believe would be Rowdy’s wishes, not just releasing the new album, but touring behind it, beginning with their first show since Cope’s death at Billy Bob’s, Texas on March 18th.
“The show will go on and we will carry the torch for our brother, Rowdy,” the band said on January 31st. “It’s been a few weeks since Rowdy left us peacefully in his sleep and we want to say thank you to everyone for the heartfelt messages and posts. It is comforting to know how much of an impact he made on so many lives. Thank you for sharing those experiences with us.”
What made the death of Jason “Rowdy” Cope so shocking was had had overcome the demons of both PTSD and alcohol in recent years—the latter due in part to the diagnosis of diabetes. First diagnosed with the diabetes a few years ago, Rowdy took a hiatus from the band in September of 2018 due to issues with the disease, with guitarist Tyler Powers filling in at that time. Tyler Powers has also been named as the replacement for Rowdy moving forward. Though no cause of death has been revealed for Rowdy, the family and band believe Cope’s death was related to his diabetes issues.
Close friend and fellow songwriter and performer Brent Cobb addressed Rowdy’s death at a recent socially-distanced acoustic show.
“Man doggone Rowdy. Rowdy was by brother,” Cobb said between songs. “I watched him build that band for 16 years. Folks don’t know that, but I was in the room when he wrote ‘Axe,’ and we wrote that song together 15 years ago. And he had diabetes. And I don’t know what happened, he just … a week-and-a-half ago he sent me the new record they’re gonna put out, and he was so excited. He’d made it through all of this dark shit. And then I guess he forgot to eat a meal or something, and died. It sucks … I’m gonna miss him so damn much…”
Jason “Rowdy” Cope was also a close friend to country artist Wayne Mills who was murdered in Nashville in November of 2013.
“Rowdy was a good man. When Wayne Mills, when all that that happened with Wayne and he died, Rowdy did not miss a trial,” Brent Cobb said. “He was there every day of the trial. He took Jack Mills under his wing, and Rowdy’s been teaching Jack how to play guitar the last couple of years. And man that just sucks. The good ones go.”
Ahead of the new album, The Steel Woods have released the title track to the record that features Jamey Johnson as a co-writer with Jason Cope and Wes Bayliss (listen below). The album also includes a rendition of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “I Need You” featuring Ashley Monroe, and a sentimental track called “Ole Pal” by Wes Bailess about missing a long-lost friend. The song takes on new meaning in the wake of Rowdy’s death, as do many of the selections from All Of Your Stones.
“He was in a bad place for a little while, and he came out on top. I was real proud of him for doing good. And we still made a great record after all that,” says Wes Bayliss. “The majority of the songs seem to make a whole lot of sense with Rowdy’s story. And this happened to be his record with the exception of a few songs. I’ve got a few on there [that I wrote] that didn’t make a whole lot of sense until his passing.”
Jason Cope started The Steel Woods with Wes Bayliss after the two met at a one-off gig in Nashville, hitting it off despite a 13-year age difference. Jason Cope was the wily veteran, while Wes Bayliss was the promising up-and comer. The two comprised the primary songwriters of The Steel Woods, and took the band to one of the most promising new outfits in independent roots music. They released their debut album Straw in the Wind in 2017, and their 2019 album Old News was nominated for Saving Country Music’s Album of the Year.
March 4, 2021 @ 9:26 am
Just for anyone who needs to hear it:
After posting about the death of Jason “Rowdy” Cope, there were some strange accusations specifically on Facebook that I was “spreading rumors” or “speculating” about how Rowdy had died. That was most certainly not the case, and can be corroborated by actually reading what I reported, which was very much in the norm of when a musician dies, and we don’t have an immediate cause of death. Nonetheless, I apologize if anyone took my reporting the wrong way. It was most certainly not my intent to stimulate speculation. Furthermore, after these accusations about my reporting, I reached out and spoke in detail to the management and publicist of The Steel Woods, who conveyed messages to both the band members and Jason Cope’s family, and I can assure you that everybody is on the same page, and there is no drama to speak of.
I knew Jason “Rowdy” Cope personally. I wasn’t a close personal of his, but I was an acquaintance and we were on a first name basis. As I conveyed when he passed, we once got locked in a parking garage together during the Wayne Mills murder trial in Nashville. I would never engage in spreading rumors or speculation about Rowdy or anybody else. And I most certainly don’t report on deaths to make money, or for “click bait.” I was devastated to hear of Rowdy’s passing, as were many.
All the best to Jason Cope’s family, The Steel Woods family, all of their fans, and anyone who was touched by the life of Jason ‘Rowdy” Cope. I’m glad to hear the band is moving forward in honor of Rowdy.
March 5, 2021 @ 6:46 pm
Haters are gonna hate. Just keep doing your thing, Trig. Block out the negative voices and arseholios constantly looking to cause shit.
March 7, 2021 @ 6:13 am
I’m glad the Steel Woods have an army of loyal fans and a Facebook fan page dedicated to them (much like Cody Jinks and his Flockers). But my goodness, fan groups like that can become a little irrational or fanatical, and that was sure one example of such.
March 7, 2021 @ 1:49 pm
I am glad they have a army of loyal fans too, and I appreciate that they feel the need to stick up for Rowdy. But similar to when Shooter’s manager Jon Hensley died, they need to get their facts straight before they choose to start sticking knives in people’s backs. Strangely, with Justin Townes Earle, there was speculation about a cause of death from the police department on down. Somehow that didn’t result in a flame war and social media mob.
March 4, 2021 @ 9:36 am
Sounds great. So happy they are moving forward.
March 4, 2021 @ 10:34 am
Great song…im genuinely excited to hear this record. Rowdy was in my estimation, the architect of the Steel Woods concept and sound. I compare him to what Pete Anderson did for Dwight. Waaay more than just a guitar player, more like a visionary with amazing chops and creativity. Wes Bayliss voice made those ideas and visions possible. Both men needed each other musically, and the sum was greater than the parts. The unenviable reality now is, Rowdy left very big shoes to fill. I can hope the new guy has the talent to help Wes carry the band forward. They blew up fast, and became one of the best on the scene. May they live on and continue Copes legacy.
March 4, 2021 @ 11:11 am
Agree about Rowdy. Much more than a guitar player, and hearing Brent Cobb speak about him underscores that.
That said, I think Tyler Powers has the capability of stepping right in. He was a direct understudy to Rowdy, and had filled in for him before. I think it could be similar to Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks filling in for Duane Allman—taking the template and approach Duane set for them, and then doing it justice and ultimately contributing their own interpretations.
March 4, 2021 @ 10:50 am
Man the past few years the Steel Woods have grown on me, it sucks about Rowdy, but I can’t wait for this album.
March 6, 2021 @ 8:52 am
I’ll never forget the first time I saw them at our resident Country dive bar Carol’s. When they took the stage his vocals rang out so loud and crystal clear powerful in this tiny venue and I just thought holy fuck he sounds better than the record!! Then opening for Cody in Madison in front of 2000 where the band blew the roof off the place equally as impressive. The last time I saw him was on the Fitzgeralds patio for the Concerts in the Yard series in Aug 2019 I felt so lucky to be standing out there like I was at a neighborhood kegger party and The Steel Woods were playing it. They were scheduled to do a couple dates with Flatland Cavalry here right when the pandemic hit, I was so looking forward to those shows and sadly it wasn’t meant to be. The guys will always be welcome here, can’t wait for the album.
April 23, 2021 @ 3:54 pm
Had the pleasure of working with the steel woods in 2019 for 3 wks in the uk and Europe. In that time had some great chats with Rowdy on are journeys between venues. R.I.P my mate, u will be missed xx