The band’s new album is due out May 23rd on Sun Records
From “Tom Dooly” to “Stagger Lee” to “Pretty Polly” to more modern takes like “Caleb Meyer,” the murder ballad category has permeated folk music the world over with its dark narratives and moral high grounds. Grammy-winning quintet The SteelDrivers are no strangers to the genre, their catalog full of songs like “If It Hadn’t Been For Love” and “Shallow Grave,” garnering tens of millions of streams and becoming fan favorites at live shows. But the band’s latest single, “The River Knows,” might be the most quintessentially SteelDrivers murder ballad yet.
“I wrote this with Daniel Ethridge and Tom Douglas,” recalls SteelDrivers singer and fiddler Tammy Rogers. “I had the title and most of the storyline in mind,” she recalls, “But Tom’s lyrical contributions really took it to another level, and Daniel’s melodic sense and understanding of what makes a great SteelDrivers song combined to make it very special.” A driving rhythm and sharp fiddle play lead into guitarist Matt Dame’s delivery of the setup verse: “She covered up his anger with a little rouge and Maybelline / It turned into a nightmare from a perfect dream.” Follow the link below to find out how the story plays out.
“The River Knows” is the latest single from The SteelDrivers’ upcoming album, Outrun—their first album with new label partner, the iconic Sun Records. Out May 23rd, Outrun features the classic, blues-infused bluegrass sound the band has been known for for two decades now, freewheeling and fun, rich with stories and singalongs alike. Beyond the ever-evolving musical nature of The SteelDrivers, this seamless ebb and flow between intricate bluegrass and the hardscrabble blues, another key element of Outrun is this underlying tribute to late founding member Mike Henderson. And though Henderson passed away in 2023, his memory and presence is still profoundly felt by the group, onstage and in the studio.
In addition to rolling out their new album, The SteelDrivers are celebrating a milestone this year with the announcement of The SteelDrivers 20th Anniversary Tour. The trek kicks off on April 24th at Merlefest in Wilkesboro, North Carolina before trekking to theaters and festivals throughout the country.
The Steeldrivers 20th Anniversary Tour Dates:
Apr 24 – Wilkesboro, NC @ Merlefest
May 8 – Tyler, TX @ Stanley’s BBQ
May 9 – Ft. Worth, TX @ Billy Bob’s
May 10 – New Braunfels, TX @ Gruene Hall
May 15 – Bloomington, IL @ Bloomington PAC
May 16 – Columbia, MO @ Blue Note
May 17 – Kansas City, MO @ Knuckleheads
May 25 – Cumberland, MD @ DelFest
May 30 – Pelham, TN @ The Caverns
May 31 – Pelham, TN @ The Caverns
June 1 – Pelham, TN @ The Caverns
June 14 – Lexington, KY @ Festival of the Bluegrass
June 21 – Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up Tavern
June 22 – Winchester, CA @ Balloon and Wine Festival
June 28 – Owensboro, KY @ ROMP
July 4 – Garrettsville, OH @ Grassfire Festival
July 9 – Seattle, WA @ Crocodile
July 10 – Portland, OR @ Topaz Farm
July 11 – Bellingham, WA @ Tune In Festival
July 26 – Reno, NV @ Robert Z Hawkins Ampitheatre
Aug 8 – Homer, NY @ Center for the Arts
Aug 9 – Clayton, NY @ Clayton Opera House
Aug 10 – Schenectady, NY @ Music Haven Central Park
Aug 15 – Manchester, VT @ Green Mtn Bluegrass and Roots Festival
Aug 16 – Mason, NH @ The Range
Aug 22 – Bellvue, CO @ Mishawaka Ampitheatre
Aug 23 – Bellvue, CO @ Mishawaka Ampitheatre
Aug 30 – Piketon, OH @SamJam
Sept 4 – Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall
Sept 5 – Pontiac, MI @ Flagstar Strand Theatre
Sept 6 – Shipshewana, IN @ Blue Gat Theatre
Sept 19 – Lexington, KY @ Lexington Opera House
Sept 20 – Lexington, KY @ Lexington Opera House
Oct 3 – Charleston, SC @ Charleston Music Hall
Oct 4 – Charleston, SC @ Charleston Music Hall
Oct 17 – Manteo, NC @ OBX Bluegrass Festival
Oct 18 – Alexandria, VA @ Birchmere
Oct 19 – Alexandria, VA @ Birchmere
Oct 22 – Park City, UT @ Egyptian Theatre
Oct 23 – Park City, UT @ Egyptian Theatre
Oct 24 – Park City, UT @ Egyptian Theatre
Oct 25 – Park City, UT @ Egyptian Theatre
