At the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, one genre is too often underbooked in the yearly lineups: country blues rock. Artists like J.J. Cale, the Allman Brothers Band, and Creedence Clearwater Revival have made a profound impact on cowboys and musicians alike, but the “red dirt” sound has simply not made its way into the modern stage – until now. The Red Clay Strays, winners of the 2025 CMAs Vocal Group of the Year award, are redefining the entire country music landscape.
Led by frontman Brandon Coleman, the Strays opened with the fast-paced “Ramblin’,” a rebellious anthem with direct inspiration from the Allman Brothers’ “Ramblin’ Man.” Coleman then transitioned into “People Hatin’,” the lead single for their eagerly awaited third studio album in Summer 2026. The message was simple yet resonating: cultural animosity, shattered communities, and political violence are not the best way to solve our country’s problems. Throughout the band’s discography as well as Coleman’s personal messaging, he incorporates this unconditional love rhetoric as an olive branch to those that hate us, as well as religious themes and desperate pleas to God for help. The band performed “On My Knees,” a purely gospel song. For at least 3 songs, my friend prayed as the Strays were riffing – serving as a testament to their direct impact on people’s lives.
Much of the band’s work is based on emotionally heavy and often depressing themes outside of the traditional radio-friendly love song format, with Coleman remarking “I’m glad yall are staying, we play a lot of sad songs.” “Devil In My Ear” stood out as a uniquely dark track, welcomed by many in the crowd facing personal struggles. Coleman then took the opportunity to explain how COVID-19 served as a barrier to their momentum, shutting the small clubs they played in down and forcing Coleman to make ends meet as a struggling Uber driver. This inspired the track “I’m Still Fine,” which explores the inauthentic facade that humans put up when telling others they’re okay, and the disorienting feeling of feeling depressed when everyone else seems thrilled.
The night was particularly special for the six-man group, with the occasion being their headlining first stadium performance as well as their first time performing their latest single “If I Didn’t Know You,” to which Coleman gave the group a solid B+. It was the end of the show that truly passed with flying colors, turning the pleas and pain into a unifying passion with crowd-capturing hits “Wondering Why” and “Wanna Be Loved.”
Critics and fans alike are quick to point to Coleman’s short, slick hair and guitar style and equate him to Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Waylon Jennings. Coleman, making mention of these comparisons, led a high-energy outro beginning with the song “No One Else Like Me,” a proclamation of individualism that’s parallel to Shaboozey’s ‘Last of My Kind.” The backing band, staying in a supportive role for most of the night, played a 5+ minute walk-off instrumental led by the extraordinary drummer, John Hall.
The Red Clay Strays aren’t going anywhere, and we shouldn’t either. The future of quality music should both address the struggles that unite us and create a vision to solve those struggles, with chords sung and played by those who can relate. Welcome to the rotation, RCS.
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