The Red Clay Strays is an American country rock band formed in Mobile, Alabama, best known for their 2022 single "Wondering Why", which had success in late 2023 after going viral on TikTok. It was their first song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 71.
Career 2016–2020: Initial formation The Red Clay Strays formed as the successor to a cover band in Mobile in 2016, consisting of lead singer Brandon Coleman, bassist Andrew Bishop, and guitarist Drew Nix. As the first band began performing more original material, they regrouped and formed the Red Clay Strays, adding drummer John Hall and guitarist Zach Rishel. The group continued to perform locally in smaller venues in the southeastern United States and built up a regional following, signing with management company Ontourage Management in 2019. In November 2019, they released the single "Good Godly Woman", which was featured in the film Doctor Sleep. The singles "No Way to Know" and "Will the Lord Remember Me" followed in 2020. However, the group had to step back from touring due to COVID-19 lockdowns.
2020–2023: Moment of Truth and continued growth Funded primarily by crowdfunding efforts spurred by manager Cody Payne, the band recorded their debut studio album Moment of Truth in Huntsville, Alabama. The group self-released the album in April 2022 but initially had little commercial success. In 2023, they signed with WME, a talent agency, and began talks with labels. While initially wanting to remain independent, they signed with Thirty Tigers in May 2023. Performances at festivals including Lollapalooza and CMA Fest ensued. In August 2023, they released their first live EP as part of media platform Western AF's YouTube series Live AF.
2023–present: Commercial breakthrough Throughout 2023, the Red Clay Strays started building traction on social media, culminating in "Wondering Why" going viral on TikTok in September. "Wondering Why" was initially released in March 2022 as a single from Moment of Truth and had a boost on streaming services in late 2023 due to the Live AF performance of the song going viral. The song became the group's first song to chart on Billboard when it debuted on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart at No. 33 on the November 25 chart. In December 2023, it became their first Billboard Hot 100 entry and debuted at No. 93 coinciding with their Way Too Long headlining tour, which concluded in March 2024. Also in March 2024, the group signed a record deal with RCA Records and then a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music in April 2024.
They added keyboardist and organist Sevans Henderson around that time. In August 2024, the group went on a five-show tour in Europe. It released its second studio album, Made by These Moments, on July 26, 2024, which was produced by Dave Cobb. The lead single from the album, "Wanna Be Loved", was released on May 22, 2024. They also appeared on the Twisters (2024) soundtrack with the song "Caddo County". On October 3, 2025, the Red Clay Strays released a single, "People Hatin'".
Discography Studio albums + List of studio albums, with selected chart positions Title Details Peak chart positions Certifications US Grateful: USAm./FolkPeak chart positions in Billboard Americana/Folk Albums chart: Made by These Moments: Grateful: USCountryPeak chart positions in Billboard Top Country Albums chart: Made by These Moments: Grateful: SCO UKSales UKCountry UKC&G Moment of Truth Released: April 29, 2022 Label: Self-released Formats: Digital download, streaming, vinyl — 11 29 78 97 4 — RIAA: Gold Made by These Moments Released: July 26, 2024 Label: RCA Formats: Digital download, streaming, CD, vinyl 29 6 9 53 48 3 — Grateful Released: June 5, 2026 Label: RCA, HBYCO Formats: Digital download, streaming, CD, vinyl 39 3 9 50 57 3 1
Live albums + List of live albums Title Details Peak chart positions UKAmericana Live at the Ryman Released: November 15, 2024 Label: RCA Formats: Digital download, streaming 15
Live EPs + List of live EPs Title Details The Red Clay Strays (Live AF Session) Released: August 29, 2023 Label: Western AF Formats: Digital download, streaming The Red Clay Strays Live AF from Callaghan's Released: January 31, 2025 Label: RCA, HBYCO Formats: Digital download, streaming
Singles As lead artist + List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications AlbumUSPeaks on the Hot 100: "Wondering Why": "Wanna Be Loved": USAAAPeaks on Adult Alternative Airplay: "Wondering Why": "Wanna Be Loved": "People Hatin'": USCountryPeaks on the Hot Country Songs chart: "Wondering Why": "Wanna Be Loved": "People Hatin'": "If I Didn't Know You": "Demons in Your Choir": USRockPeaks on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart: "Wondering Why": "Wanna Be Loved": "Drowning": "People Hatin'": "If I Didn't Know You": "Demons in Your Choir": CANCANCountryIRENZHotPeaks on the NZ Hot Singles Chart: "Wanna Be Loved": "People Hatin'": "Good Godly Woman" 2019 — — — — — — — —rowspan="3" "No Way to Know" 2020 — — — — — — — — "Will the Lord Remember Me" — — — — — — — — "Doin' Time" 2022 — — — — — — — — Moment of Truth "Wondering Why" 71 4 18 10 52 — 72 — RIAA: 3× Platinum BPI: Silver RMNZ: 2× Platinum "Sunshine (Western AF Version)" 2023 — — — — — — — — "Wanna Be Loved" 2024 100 15 27 18 — — — 38 RMNZ: Gold Made by These Moments "Devil in My Ear" — — — — — — — — "Drowning" — — — 45 — — — — "People Hatin'" 2025 — 27 38 15 — — — 35 Grateful "If I Didn't Know You" 2026 — — 37 23 — — — — "Demons in Your Choir" — 22 32 26 — 56 — —
As featured artist + List of featured singles, showing year released and album name Title Year Album "Momma Loves Me" 2025 The Long Surrender
Other charted songs + List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name Title Year Peak chart positions AlbumUSAAAUSRock "I'm Still Fine" 2024 30 34 Made by These Moments
Guest appearances + List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name Title Year Other artist(s) Album "Caddo County" 2024 Twisters: The Album
Tours Headlining Way Too Long Tour (2023–2024) Get Right Tour (2025) Grateful Tour (2026)
Opening Hackney Diamonds Tour (2024) (with the Rolling Stones)
Awards and nominations YearAssociationCategoryNominated workResultRef.2024Americana Music Honors & AwardsEmerging Artist of the YearThemselves2024Country Music Association AwardsVocal Group of the Year2025Academy of Country Music Awards New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year2025Country Music Association AwardsVocal Group of the Year
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