Wes Bayliss of The Steel Woods Returns with Faith-Based Country
Country fans, Southern rock fans, and fans of The Steel Woods were sad to hear that the band’s lead singer, guitar player, and primary songwriter, Wes Bayliss, had decided to call it quits in March of 2024 after eight years. It wasn’t due to a lack of demand or interest, or frustration at not finding critical-acclaim. In many respects, The Steel Woods went out on top.
But as Wes Bayliss explained at the time, in the months and years leading up to the decision, he’d grown closer of God, and wanted to focus his life on his faith moving forward.
“The Bible talks about the ones that are neither cold or hot being lukewarm and that’s been me for a really long time,” Bayliss said in a statement. “I find that things become easier when we stop trying to justify what we do in search of personal gain and start seeking God’s will for our lives and truly trusting in him to make a way and lead us through it.”
Looming large over the decision was the death of The Steel Woods co-founder Jason “Rowdy” Cope. Right before the band was to release their album All of Your Stones in 2021, Jason Cope died of complications from diabetes at the age of 42. Previously playing with Jamey Johnson and others, Rowdy’s passing hit the independent country and Southern rock community hard.
After some soul searching and with the blessings of the Cope family, The Steel Woods did decide to continue on with guitarist Tyler Powers sliding into the lead guitar spot. The band also released the well-regarded album On Your Time in October of 2023. You could tell though that something wasn’t exactly right with Wes as he tried to continue forward without his mentor and one of his best friends by his side.
When The Steel Woods played their final run of shows in November of 2024, fans took notice that Wes Bayliss would still conclude shows with, “We’ll see ya next time.” Some Steel Woods fans might hold out hope for a reunion at some point, and maybe there will be one in the future. But they won’t have to wait to see and hear Wes Bayliss sing and play. It’s just now he’s putting his faith first.
When Cody Johnson released the Deluxe Edition of his album Leather in September of 2024, many fans took notice that the final song in the set called “The Mustang” was co-written by Cody with Wes Bayliss. This week, Bayliss released his own solo version.
“Like a wild horse that doesn’t know how good life can be under the care of its master—that was me for a long time,” Bayless says. “‘The Mustang’ is my story of learning that real freedom comes when you finally hand over the reins.”
This is the second song Wes Bayliss has released during his new faith-based solo career. He also released the song “Product of Grace” on August 25th. Both of the songs have that Steel Woods roots and grit, and both have been released through Thirty Tigers, which was the label for The Steel Woods as well. There’s no word yet on a solo album in the works, but it sure seems that’s where Wes is headed. Bayliss also has a solo show booked in Decatur, Alabama at the Princess Theatre on November 7th.
Wes Bayliss leaning into his faith might have meant walking away from The Steel Woods. But luckily, it doesn’t mean he’s walking away from music.
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