Don’t sleep on these bands. It’s safe to say that The Red Clay Strays are one of the hottest bands on the planet right now. Between frontman Brandon Coleman’s killer vocals, the flawless blend of country, gospel, roots and southern rock influences and the sheer musical talent present from each of the six members, it was more than apparent that the Alabama group was bound to break out into the stratosphere at some point sooner or later. And it looks like that day has finally come for the band. If you’ve been paying any attention to the alt. country scene over the past three or so years, you’re keen to the fact that they’ve already scored some major career accomplishments, including the likes of winning Emerging Artist of the Year at the 2024 Americana Awards, winning New Vocal Duo or Group at the 2025 ACM Awards and scoring a 3x platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for their breakout “Wondering Why” along with a gold certification for their debut album, Moment of Truth. Back in November, however, it seems as if the Alabama band cemented themselves as mainstays both in the minds of alternative country fans and the mainstream alike with their huge night at the 59th annual CMA Awards, delivering a killer performance of their current single, “People Hatin’” and, more importantly, dethroning Old Dominion as Vocal Group of the Year en route to their first-ever CMA win. Though many like us here at Whiskey Riff have been big fans of the Alabama natives dating back to the release of Moment of Truth in 2022, there’s no doubt that they’ve procured a lot of newer fans over the past year or so. If you’ve recently been introduced to the Strays and want to find some more bands that provide an incredible mix of country, blues and rock, you’re in luck. Without further ado, here are five bands to check out if you love the Red Clay Strays. 49 Winchester Between the combination of their perfect blend of southern rock and country, their tight live band and world-class vocals from frontman, Isaac Gibson, it’s become more and more apparent every year that the Virginia group is becoming one of the most overlooked bands in the genre today. Though they debuted back in 2014 with their self-titled album, 49 Winchester has recently caught fire over the past five years with stellar ballads like “Everlasting Lover,” “Anchor” and “Hays, Kansas.” If you’re a fan of Brandon Coleman’s vocals and want to hear someone who can rival his soul from release to release, look no further than Gibson and 49 Winchester. Key Tracks: “Anchor,” “Everlasting Lover,” “Fast Asleep” Whiskey Myers It should go without saying that Whiskey Myers has been one of the forefathers of this modern southern rock renaissance we’ve seen pop up over the past few years, beginning all the way back in 2011 with their debut album, Firewater, which features their smash hit, “Broken Window Serenade” as well as other career staples such as “Ballad Of A Southern Man” and “Virginia.” Over the years, they’ve cemented themselves as one of the quintessential country-rock bands of this era with stellar records such as 2016’s Mud, their 2019 self-titled album and, most recently, 2025’s heavy-hitting Whomp Whack Thunder. Of course, this is thanks to frontman Cody Cannon’s incredible vocals and the band’s rock-first sound. If you’re looking for a band that leans harder into the rock scene while still delivering plenty of soul, look no further than Whiskey Myers. Key Tracks: “Broken Window Serenade,” “Stone,” “Break These Chains” Blackberry Smoke In many ways, you cannot talk about the current country-rock scene today without talking about Blackberry Smoke. Up there with the likes of Drive By Truckers, Lucero and Cross Canadian Ragweed, they’ve paved the way for a lot of the younger bands you see in the genre today in the early 2000s. Though their discography isn’t quite as large as you’d expect from a band that’s been around 2004, the Georgia band has continually delivered stellar album after stellar album for the past 22 years. Flawlessly going from straightforward southern rock on tracks like “Waiting for the Thunder” to blues on “Sleeping Dogs,” there’s a lot to love from Blackberry Smoke. Key Tracks: “Ain’t Much Left Of Me,” “Run Away from It All,” “One Horse Town” Shane Smith & the Saints As time passes, it’s become increasingly clear that Shane Smith & the Saints are the most underrated bands not only in the Red Dirt scene but in music in general. Backed by their patented blend of southern rock, stylings from Appalachian country and even some Cajun influences, the Texas band scored early hits with the likes of “All I See Is You,” “Dance the Night Away” and “Lord Bury Me in Texas.” Over the past decade, it’s been easy to see that they’ve just gotten better with age. The sound has remained nearly the same, in the best way possible, of course. However, frontman Shane Smith’s voice has simply improved with every subsequent release. In particular, last year’s stellar record, Norther, portrayed this the best, showcasing a more mature, raspy vocal performance from the frontman. Feeling somewhere between late-career Johnny Cash and fellow alt. country star, Charles Wesley Godwin, he’s proven he has one of the most dynamic voices in the genre. If you’re looking for a band that doesn’t quite sound like any other group working today, much like the Strays themselves, check out Smith and Co. Key Tracks: “Adeline,” “Coast,” “We Were Something” The Band of Heathens Similar to Blackberry Smoke, The Band of Heathens are one of those groups that have never quite gotten the flowers they deserve. Forming in 2005 in Austin, Texas, the five-piece group may be best known for their cover of Levon Helm’s “Hurricane,” which eventually scored them their first-ever gold certification from the RIAA back in 2023. Over the years, however, with co-founders and frontmen Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist at the creative helm, they have amassed a spectacular catalog of originals that proves both their lyrical and sonic prowess. Much like Red Clay, the Heathens aren’t a band that you can truly assign one genre to. They dabble a bit in country, a bit in roots, a bit in rock. In other words, they aren’t too concerned about whatever genre Spotify wants to label them under and, instead, create some of the most soulful tracks in the ever-widening country-rock scene. For years, they’ve been one of the most underrated bands working, and you do not want to overlook them. Key Tracks: “Hurricane,” “Don’t Call On Me,” “Medicine Man” The post If You Love The Red Clay Strays, Here’s 5 Bands You Need To Be Listening To first appeared on Whiskey Riff.