The Red Clay Strays

Biography

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.

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'".