The SteelDrivers Announce New Album, New Song, “Bad For You”

The SteelDrivers have about all you need from music: The drive and instrumentation of bluegrass, the grit of country, the energy of rock, the soul of the South, the songwriting of Americana, and four Grammy nominations and a win that prove they do it all better than most. Much more than just the bluegrass band that helped launch lead singer Chris Stapleton into the stratosphere, The SteelDrivers are all the best elements of American roots music wrapped into one.

On February 7th, 2020, the band will release their new album Bad For You via Rounder Records, featuring new lead vocalist Kelvin Damrell for the first time. Already playing shows with the five-piece bluegrass band for over a year, Damrell sounds more like Chris Stapleton than Chris Stapleton does, bringing that soulful element to what makes the SteelDrivers unique.

Singer and guitarist Gary Nichols took over for Chris Stapleton in the SteelDrivers in 2010 when Stapleton’s songwriting career was taking off, and then Nichols left the band in the summer of 2017. Adam Wakefield of The Voice fame filled in for a bit, but after Kelvin Damrell was discovered via a YouTube video, he was hired up, and has been touring with the band ever since.

“Our dedication and determination remain intact,” said singer, songwriter and fiddler Tammy Rogers after former guitar player Gary Nichols left. “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.”  

Along with banjo player Richard Bailey, Mike Fleming on bass, and mandolin player Brent Truitt, they will try to match or surpass the performance of their Grammy-winning last album The Muscle Shoals Recordings with this new project. The title track has already been released (listen below), and you can tell that the seasoning of the road and the voice of Kelvin Damrell slide perfectly into the mix. Their live shows have made rabid fans of many as well (including Bill Murray), and the band also just release a mess of new live dates.

Tour Dates

12/7 – 3rd & Lindsley, Nashville, TN
12/8 – 3rd & Lindsley (WMOT Event), Nashville, TN
2/6 – Paramount Center for the Arts, Bristol, TN
2/7 – Jefferson Cewnter, Roanoke, VA
2/8 – Modlin Center for the Arts, Richmond, VA
2/12 – The Ark, Ann Arbor, MI
2/13 – Lincoln Theatre, Columbus, OH
2/14 – Manchester Music Hall, Lexington, KY
2/15 – Paramount Arts Center, Ashland, KY
2/16 – Culture Center Theater, Charleston, WV
2/20 – Cherry Theater, Columbia, TN
2/21 – Bijou Theatre, Knoxville, TN
2/22 – Bijou Theatre, Knoxville, TN
2/26 – One World Theatre, Austin, TX
2/27 – The Kessler Theater, Dallas, TX
2/28 – The Heights Theater, Houston, TX
2/29 – Cactus Theater, Lubbock, TX
3/5 – The Carolina Theatre, Durham, NC
3/6 – Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte, NC
3/7 – Charleston Music Hall, Charleston, SC
3/28 – Spring Bluegrass Festival, Brooksville, FL
3/29 – Florida Theatre, Jacksonville, FL
4/2 – City Winery, Chicago, IL
4/3 – Barrymore Theatre, Madison, WI
4/4 – The Sheldon Concert Hall & Art Galleries, St. Louis, MO
4/16 – Bichmere, Alexandria, VA
4/18 – Port City Music Hall, Portland, ME
6/6 – Buckhead Theatre, Atlanta, GA