The SteelDrivers Announce “Bonafide” Tour with Newest Member

For 10 years now, The SteelDrivers have been a preeminent bluegrass band of the hard-charging variety and a proving ground of talent that includes Chris Stapleton as an alumni. After announcing the newest member to take what was once Stapleton’s spot in guitar player and singer Kelvin Damrell, the 5-piece outfit is ready to hit the road hard and heavy in 2018, and has just announced a bunch of new tour dates.

“Our dedication and determination remain intact,” says singer, songwriter and fiddler Tammy Rogers after former guitar player Gary Nichols left the band last summer. “I liken us to what the Rolling Stones would sound like if they played banjos, fiddles and mandolins — it’s that rock-n-roll edge played on traditional instruments and our shows continue to reflect that high-level energy and fun.”  

Gary Nichols took over for Chris Stapleton in the SteelDrivers in 2010, and after he left, Adam Wakefield of The Voice fame filled in for some shows. “On very short notice Adam was able to squeeze us into his schedule, learn a bunch of songs and jump on stage. Adam was instrumental in keeping us afloat last year,” the band says.

Newest member Kelvin Damrell has some contest experience of his own. He won a Chris Stapleton cover competition held by Wide Open Country in 2017, walking away with $1,000. Now he fills an important spot in the bluegrass world on a nightly basis.

We’ve done a handful of shows with KD so far and those who’ve seen him have loved him,” say The SteelDrivers. “He got a rousing standing ovation on his very first show! We hope you will welcome KD into the SteelHead Nation.”

The other current members of the SteelDrivers along with Tammy Rogers and Kelvin Damrell are Mike Fleming, Richard Bailey, and Brent Truitt. 

SteelDrivers 2018 Tour Dates:

Apr 5 – Lawrence, KY – Liberty Hall
Apr 6 – Stillwater, OK – Seretean Center Performing Arts
Apr 13 – Lexington, KY – Manchester Music Hall
Apr 14 – Lexington, KY – Manchester Music Hall
Apr 27 – Roanoke, VA – Jefferson Center
Apr 28 – Baltimore, MD – Charm City Bluegrass Festival
May 17 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre
May 18 – Jacksonville, FL – Prohibition Kitchen
June 1 – Syria, VA. – Graves Mountain Festival of Music
June 2 – Preston City, CT – Strawberry Park Bluegrass Festival
June 8 – Kalamazoo, MI – Bells Garden
June 9 – W. Lafayette, LA – Tippacanoe Ampitheatre
June 14 – Marinette, WI – Porterfield Country Music Festival
June 15 – Eau Claire, WI – Blue Ox Music Festival
July 1 – New Martinsville, WV – Back Home Appalachian Festival
Aug 3 – Princeton, WV – Chuck Mathena Center
Aug 4 – Parsons, WV – Pickin’ In Parsons
Aug 17 – Pelham, TN – The Caverns
Aug 23 – Asheville, NC – Orange Peel
Aug 24 – Asheville, NC – Orange Peel
Sep 21 – High Point, NC – High Point Theatre
Sep 26 – Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theatre
Sep 27 – Wilmington, DE – The Queen
Oct 4 Alexandria, VA – Birchmere
Oct 5 Alexandria, VA – Birchmere
Oct 6 Manteo, NC – Bluegrass Island
Oct 11 Austin, TX – One World Theatre
Oct 12 Dallas, TX – Kessler Theatre
Oct 13 Oklahoma City, OK – Tower Theatre
Oct 14 Houston, TX – The Heights Theatre
Oct 25 Park City, UT – Egyptian Theatre
Oct 26 Park City, UT – Egyptian Theatre
Oct 27 Park City, UT – Egyptian Theatre
Nov 2 Modesto, CA – Gallo Center for the Arts
Nov 3 Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren