Hold up, are y’all seeing what I’m seeing? The Red Clay Strays are one of the biggest bands in country music at the moment, and they sent the internet into a bit of a frenzy when they teased on social media that a “big announcement” would be coming this morning. Internet speculation ran its course, but plenty of fans were able to tell from the teaser what they were hinting at, and the Mobile, AL-based country rock outfit announced this morning that they will be headlining Madison Square Garden next summer on August 9. Regardless of genre, only the biggest bands with the strongest followings get the opportunity to headline at Madison Square Garden, and I’d have to imagine the band is pretty stoked to be checking this one off the bucket list. I mean, this is really about as big as it gets. And it is certainly no small feat for a non-mainstream country group that blew up while independent and made it to the top of the country music industry without the backing of the Nashville music industry machine. But that’s a conversation for another time. What I really wanted to point out is a small, unassuming detail on some of the show flyers and announcement videos that has revealed some major news. This show is going to be recorded live and released as a live album. Watch this video posted by Madison Square Garden on Instagram, and check out the graphic that pops up right as the narrator says “The Red Clay Strays, live from Madison Square Garden.” View this post on Instagram This poster being circulated around the internet has it as well: Granted, it wasn’t too long ago that the band released their Live At The Ryman album this past December, but at the same time, it will have been almost two years since the Ryman album dropped once this show takes place. And with a new album on the way this summer, presumably prior to when the show takes place, there will be plenty of new music to hear live. It’s safe to say, this show at Madison Square Garden, with killer support from Brent Cobb and The Revivalists, is going to be one for the ages. I highly suggest you make arrangements to hop in the presale and get tickets at your first opportunity, because Red Clay Strays tickets go fast, and this one will not be an exception. The presale for tickets to the show starts HERE next Thursday, November 13 from 10am ET/9am CT until 11:59pm ET, with tickets going on sale to the general public on Friday, November 14 at 9am. If you want to make sure you can get tickets during the presale, you can go to this link and use code TRCSWHISKEYRIFF to get them before they go on sale to the general public. Don’t want to wait until August 9th to catch them live? There are a handful of opportunities to make it happen before the Madison Square Garden show next August that is already on the books. And while I don’t know for sure, I’d have to imagine a larger tour to support their next album release is in the works as well. 2026 is going to be a HUGE year for The Red Clay Strays, and we are all fortunate to witness it. The Red Clay Strays Tour Dates November 8 – London, United Kingdom – Hackney Church* November 9 – London, United Kingdom – Roundhouse* November 13 – Dublin, Ireland – National Stadium* November 13 – Belfast, United Kingdom – Ulster Hall* November 23 – United Central, FL – St. Pete Country Fest^ December 4 – Las Vegas, NV – The Theater at Virgin Hotels+ December 5 – Las Vegas, NV – The Theater at Virgin Hotels+ April 19 – Georgetown, TX – Two Step Inn^ April 24 – Indio, CA – Stagecoach^ May 24 –  Norfolk, VA – Patriotic Fest^ June 13 – Columbus, OH – Buckeye Country Super Fest^ August 9 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden= *w/ Early James ^Festival date +w/ Brent Cobb & Taylor Hunnicutt =w/ The Revivalists & Brent Cobb And if you’re still reading, let’s go ahead and queue up their latest release – and the first single off their next album – “People Hatin’.” The post The Red Clay Strays Are Recording A Live Album At Madison Square Garden Next Summer first appeared on Whiskey Riff.