The Steel Woods Announce Ambitious New Album “On Your Time”
October 6th just got to feeling a lot farther away after it was announced as the date that modern Southern rock titans The Steel Woods will release their new album On Your Time. Produced by lead singer and guitar player Wes Bayliss, the album will be released on the band’s Wood’s Music label via Thirty Tigers.
On Your Time comes after a tumultuous period for the band. Right before they were readying the release of their last album All of Your Stones in 2021, founding member and beloved guitar player Jason “Rowdy” Cope died from complications from diabetes at the age of 42. Previously playing with Jamey Johnson and others, Rowdy’s passing hit the independent country community hard. But with the blessings of the family and after some soul searching, The Steel Woods decided to continue on with guitarist Tyler Powers sliding into the lead guitar spot.
The first taste of new music from The Steel Woods is called “If Not For The Rain” and references how hard times help you to appreciate the good ones. “This is a song I wrote with Taylor McCall in between recording sessions for this record,” Wes Bayliss says. “It was the first time I’ve ever written with him. As a band, we have seen our fair share of stormy weather and now have a new-found perspective and appreciation for the journey ahead.”
Though The Steel Woods are notorious for putting on hard charging Southern rock shows that at times veer into the metal range, it’s the lyricism that gives fans of the band ample themes to explore. Saving Country Music previously tracked the story of Della Jane, Anna Lee, and Jimmy Sutherland over multiple albums by The Steel Woods, similar how the character “Lorrie” is recurring in the song universe of the Turnpike Troubadours.
We’ll have to see if the story of Jimmy Sutherland’s murder comes up on the new album, but The Steel Woods have already let it be known that On Your Time with loosely follow the trajectory of another character named Uncle Lloyd who was first introduced on their debut album via a song of the same name. “Uncle Lloyd” was written by Darrell Scott, so it will be interesting to see how the band develops that song into a deeper narrative.
Joining singer/guitarist Wes Bayliss and guitarist Tyler Powers is bassist Johnny Stanton and drummer Isaac Senty. All three of the previous albums by The Steel Woods earned high marks for songwriting, musicianship, and originality while remaining grounded in Southern rock roots. We should expect On Your Time to be no different.
On Your Time is now available for pre-order.
TRACK LISTING:
1. The Man From Everywhere
2. Cut the Grass
3. Devil in This Holler
4. Famine Fortune
5. On Your Time
6. You Don’t Even Who Who I Am
7. Border Lord
8. Stories to Tell to Myself
9. Broken Down Dam
10. If Not for the Rain
July 1, 2023 @ 8:47 am
Another musician/band I discovered from SCM back after Straw in the Wind came out. Now they may be my most listened to artist. I love the Southern Rock/Country combo in general and they have that perfect mix. I got immediately excited when I saw their announcement on Instagram and even more so when I heard the song on Friday. Keep it up Trig.
July 1, 2023 @ 9:29 am
This band can do no wrong. I love everything they released, and I’m thrilled to hear their cover of Border Lord, one of my favorite Kristofferson songs. The new single is so country but also so Steel Woods.
Obviously it won’t be quite the same without Rowdy, who is among the pantheon of all-time great guitarists, but they are still my favorite band by a mile. In an age where most musicians offer sporadic releases, they have been so prolific and tour relentlessly. Can’t wait!!
July 1, 2023 @ 12:55 pm
Always glad to hear a new album release is coming from these guys. Hope they stick with the formula that is damn near perfect.
July 1, 2023 @ 2:07 pm
I love that tune and just looking at that album cover get’s me excited for the release. Wes is one of my favorite voices in the genre. They’ll be here on the 27th with Myron Elkins opening. That’s sure to be a great show as they haven’t been in our area proper since pre pandemic, although I did venture down to Hobart, IN to catch em. Them Dirty Roses were here last night for sold out show and man they bring it live!!! Quite the sing along event I must say. They’ll be around a long time and will hopefully evolve and mature into one of the best.
July 1, 2023 @ 4:06 pm
So awesome that their Party Loveless cover made the album. They do such a good job on it live.
July 1, 2023 @ 7:12 pm
I Am HUGE Fan of this Band. I Own ALL 3 of their Vinyl Lp’s. I Had Ordered Lp’s From Their Website. I Own The “OLD NEWS” Lp Signed by all 4 Original Members, AND The Double Lp “TEST PRESSINGS” of the same, Signed by All 4 !…. Between This Band, Whiskey Meyers and Cody Jinks, With The Occasional Jamey Johnson Song, I am Content With The State of Country/Southern Rock !, Although I Will Say, I have Discovered a Couple Female Singer/Songwriters Because of SCM, Emily Nenni and Sierra Ferrell, These Ladies also Kick ! I Listened To the New Song Last Night 4 0r 5 Times, I HOPE this Is the LP That Breaks this Band into The Mainstream !
July 2, 2023 @ 5:33 am
The Steel Woods have grown on me over the years. Initially I kind of lumped them in with other Southern Hard Rock bands as good, but not really great. But as each album passes this band has become one of my favorites and in regular rotation. I’m digging If Not for the Rain and it’s country sound, and looking forward to the album.
Gonna have to try and not over listen to these early single releases and ruin the album for myself.
July 3, 2023 @ 1:15 pm
They will be at the Pine Junction,Lost in the Pines event center July 26 for the Don’t Tell Shirlee concert,Myron Elkins to open,can’t wait,come check it out!
July 3, 2023 @ 1:38 pm
Going to see them in Cleveland Ohio at the House of Blues then at the Pine Junction in Findley Lake NY July 16,going to be awesome,love there songs and talent,seen them in NC at Silverado’s Black Mountain,hooked ever since.
July 3, 2023 @ 1:43 pm
July 26 at the PineJunction , fat fingers =wrong date , western New York newest concert venue
July 7, 2023 @ 5:07 pm
Been a fan of the band from the start. I am excited for the new release. Gonna be interesting to see how the songwriting evolves without Rowdy. He wrote and played with so much passion. Tyler is an outstanding player and a perfect fit with the band. Rowdy’s writing had a dark passionate tragic story He was telling. I know Wes wrote some of those songs and He has one of the best voices out there today. I have heard the 2 covers live and the new song release here, all 3 are outstanding as well as everything they have released to date. So all indications are things will keep rolling along for the band and We keep Growing the Woods.
October 6, 2023 @ 4:26 pm
The Steel Woods brought back the sound and heart of this genre after many lukewarm attempts by well meaning artists, the band is what we have all longed for. I too own all their music, and so anxious for this new records release. Growing up in Jacksonville, Florida the town where many credit the birth of Southern Rock, The Steel Woods got my undivided attention! I was fortunate to have worked for the management company for Lynyrd Skynyrd, after the crash in 1977 I made my way to Atlanta in search of another opportunity to fit in with an up and coming band or sound to fill the void. We we all know how that turned out. All these years later here is a sound and talent we all have missed. Love this group and praise them for sticking together in the face of adversity.