People Hatin’

Hits like a protest song from the ’60s, but kicks like a Gulf Coast storm.

Man… People Hatin’ ain’t just a single — it’s a shot across the bow. The Red Clay Strays rolled this one out with the kind of grit that would’ve made Dylan squint and Guthrie nod. It’s got that 1960s protest-song backbone, but wrapped in the Strays’ swamp-soul electricity — the kind of sound where the snare pops like a screen door in a hurricane and Brandon Coleman sings like he’s trying to outrun every devil he ever shook off his boots.

It ain’t preaching. It ain’t posturing.

It’s calling out the mess we’re all wading through — division, noise, folks barking louder than they listen — with a melody that feels like it marched out of Selma, got baptized in Alabama mud, then plugged into a tube amp.

Feels raw. Feels righteous.

Feels like somebody finally said the quiet part out loud.

If the Strays’ last run turned the Americana world on its head, this one lights the fuse.

Pancho’s Picks approved — hell, Pancho certified.

When the Little Guys Take the Stage: Red Clay Strays Win Big at the ACMs

Now I’m not big on these big ol’ award shows — too many rhinestones, not enough sawdust. Most of the time they hand out trophies to the same cookie-cutter crowd singin’ about nothin’ in particular.

But this time? I’ll be damned — the ACM finally got one right.

They gave the nod to the Red Clay Strays, a band that’s been draggin’ their amps and dreams across the country the old-fashioned way — one smoky bar and one true believer at a time.

Who Are These Strays, Anyway?

Born and bred outta Mobile, Alabama, the Red Clay Strays have been grinding since about 2016. They’re a five-piece that never bothered chasing Nashville polish — they built their sound from Southern church pews, barroom grit, and the kind of gospel soul that can shake the rust off a heart.

They broke through with “Wondering Why” — a song that burned slow before catching fire, blowing up across TikTok and radio like a spark in a dry pasture. From there, it was off to the races: self-released Moment of Truth, and now, Made by These Moments — their latest record produced by the legendary Dave Cobb.

The Moment the Big Stage Finally Listened

On April 28, 2025, the band was down in Savannah working with Cobb when their phone rang — none other than Miranda Lambert on the line, telling them they’d just won ACM New Duo or Group of the Year.

They beat out Restless Road and Treaty Oak Revival, proving that sometimes, the underdogs get their day in the sun.

It’s their first ACM win, and if there’s any justice in this crazy business, it won’t be their last.

Why It Matters

This wasn’t just a win for one band — it was a win for every small-town outfit loading up a van, selling merch out of a suitcase, and trusting that heart beats hype.

Real recognizes real. These boys play like the floor’s still sticky from last night’s set, and they sing like they’ve still got somethin’ to prove. The tide’s turnin’. Fans are hungry for the truth again — and these Strays serve it hot, messy, and full of soul. It’s hope for the dreamers. Every pickin’ hand from Amarillo to Alabama just sat up a little straighter.

What’s Next for the Strays

They’re already back in Savannah with Dave Cobb, chasing that next sound. And if Made by These Moments was their introduction, the next record might just be their legend.

For a band that started out singin’ to whoever’d listen, the ACM stage ain’t a finish line — it’s a rest stop on a much bigger ride.

Pancho’s final word:

I don’t usually hand out praise to the industry suits, but this time, I’ll tip my hat.

The ACM finally looked past the shine and saw the soul.

And if you ain’t spun Wondering Why yet… well, wonder why you haven’t.

✍️ About the Author

Pancho is a West Texas-bred storyteller and founder of Pancho’s Picks, a grassroots outpost for the real sounds of country, Americana, and red-dirt music. He writes about dusty highways, honest lyrics, and the kind of artists who still bleed for every note. When he’s not tapping keys or tending to family, you can find him near a campfire, swapping stories about good songs and bad decisions.

Moment of Truth

Loving the chilling guitar rifts and blues twang of the Red Clay Strays debut album, “Moment of Truth.” This band who has already been in existence for 5 years mainly playing the scene around the Gulf Coast hails from Mobile, Alabama.

A great read by musiccitymemo.com explains how the band began a crowd funding campaign last February and raised over 48,000 in a week to create this album inspired by southern music.

Title Track on the album was written by Matthew Coleman along with 4 other tracks on the album. Other tunes on the record were composed by the bands lead Brandon Coleman, who grew up in red dirt rural Alabama. Drew Nix, the bands guitarist also put his hand into writing several songs for the project.

It ain’t quite Texas but it’s red dirt music to it’s core.

Pancho.