The SteelDrivers Announce Plans For Bad For You Album Release In Early 2020

Artist: The SteelDrivers
Album: Bad For You
Label: Rounder Records
Release date: Early Spring 2020

One of the most critically-acclaimed acoustic "bluegrass" groups on today's music scene, The SteelDrivers show no signs of slowing down as they announced a new tour called Bad For You that will coincide with timing and naming of their highly anticipated fifth release on Rounder Records. 

By now, the virtuosity of The SteelDrivers has so redefined conventional string instrumentation that one almost forgets that bluegrass roots sit at the heart of every sound the ensemble makes. The impetus, though, remains the music itself: a fluid string sound that combines chamber-like ambience, bluegrass construction and jazz phrasing. These world-class musicians have perfected the art of bringing a modern twist to a classic style of music.

It's clear to most music fans that original lead vocalist Chris Stapleton has left the band and gone on to super-stardom things in the country realm. He was replaced by former Mercury Records artist Gary Nichols on lead vocals and guitar. In 2017, Nichols left and now Kelvin Damrell has joined the band in the same role. Damrell first gained notoriety as the winner of a Chris Stapleton Cover Contest hosted online by Wide Open Country last year. It's clear he can carry that gritty torch and says that he has been a Stapleton and SteelDrivers fan for years. Here’s a listen to the track that won him the Stapleton competition.

The group emerged on the Americana and bluegrass scene over a decade ago and has amassed a legion of fans along the way, counting Bill Murray and Adele among them, while always keeping it about the music. ““We still have the same joy and enthusiasm that we did in the beginning. Even as the trajectory changes, the story continues to unfold,” admits SteelDrivers band member Tammy Rogers.