Bluegrass And Americana Legends The SteelDrivers Cement Their 20-Year Legacy With New Album ‘Outrun’

Amidst their 20th anniversary as a band, GRAMMY-winning quintet, The SteelDrivers, aren’t looking over their shoulders at the road to the here and now. Quite the contrary, where the Americana and bluegrass icons are aiming is headlong towards the unknowns of tomorrow with one simple, yet powerful, thought permeating throughout: What’s next? “Very early in the game, we were determined to do our own original music. And we stood by it, where now we’re reaping those rewards,” says SteelDrivers fiddler, Tammy Rogers. “The sound has been really unique, because nobody’s expected to play like somebody else—everybody has their own individual voice.” 

Cultivating that deep sense of self and of the independent, freewheelin’ spirit residing at the core of The SteelDrivers since their inception, the band’s brand new album, Outrun, is an ode to the trials and tribulations of life itself, where certain undeniable truths about love, lore, and legacy come to pass as the clock keeps ticking. Outrun features the classic, blues-infused bluegrass sound the band has been known for for two decades now, footloose 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 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. 

Outrun is The SteelDrivers first release with their new label partner, the legendary Sun Records. “As The SteelDrivers celebrate the 20th year of their musical odyssey, I cannot imagine a finer coupling for our new recording than the iconic Sun Records,” said SteelDrivers bassist Mike Fleming of the signing announcement. Rogers added, “We’re excited to partner with a true icon. Sun Records definitely has the ‘cool’ factor!” 

Fans can stream or purchase Outrun in its entirety today at this link or below. In addition to rolling out their new album, The SteelDrivers are celebrating this year with The SteelDrivers 20th Anniversary Tour. A full list of tour dates can be found below or at thesteeldrivers.com.

Stream or Purchase Outrun:

Outrun In The News:

NPR included the album in their New Music Friday roundup and also in their NMF playlist.

“At the heart of the SteelDrivers’ sound is their driving instrumental style and impeccable harmonies…This new project is a fresh addition in the career of a band with real lasting power.” – No Depression

“…a band that plays acoustic music but plays it hard…” – Country Universe

 “…fiery fiddle…jaunty mandolin…coolly intertwined harmonies” – Billboard

“It’s so hard not to sing along…” – Wide Open Country

Catch the SteelDrivers On Their 20th Anniversary Tour:

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 

June 29 – Nashville, TN – Grand Ole Opry

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 25 – Grass Valley, CA – Center for the Arts

July 26 – Reno, NV – Robert Z Hawkins Ampitheatre 

August 8 – Homer, NY – Center for the Arts 

August 9 – Clayton, NY – Clayton Opera House 

August 10 – Schenectady, NY – Music Haven Central Park 

August 15 – Manchester, VT – Green Mtn Bluegrass and Roots Festival 

August 16 – Mason, NH – The Range 

August 22 – Bellvue, CO – Mishawaka Amphitheatre

August 23 – Bellvue, CO – Mishawaka Amphitheatre

August 24 – Boulder, CO – eTown Hall 

August 30 – Piketon, OH – SamJam 

September 4 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall 

September 5 – Pontiac, MI – Flagstar Strand Theatre 

September 6 – Shipshewana, IN – Blue Gat Theatre 

September 19 – Lexington, KY – Lexington Opera House 

September 20 – Lexington, KY – Lexington Opera House 

October 3 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Music Hall 

October 4 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Music Hall 

October 17 – Manteo, NC – OBX Bluegrass Festival

October 18 – Alexandria, VA – Birchmere 

October 19 – Alexandria, VA – Birchmere 

October 22 – Park City, UT – Egyptian Theatre 

October 23 – Park City, UT – Egyptian Theatre

October 24 – Park City, UT – Egyptian Theatre 

October 25 – Park City, UT – Egyptian Theatre 

For ticket information and more, please visit thesteeldrivers.com/tour.

About The SteelDrivers: 

Only Nashville could give birth to a band like The SteelDrivers, a group of seasoned veterans—each distinguished in his or her own right, each valued in the town’s commercial community—who are seizing an opportunity to follow their hearts to their souls’ reward. In doing so, they are braiding their bluegrass roots with new threads of their own design, bringing together country, soul, blues, and other contemporary influences to create an unapologetic hybrid that is old as the hills but fresh as the morning dew. This is new music with the old feeling. SteelDrivers fan Vince Gill describes the band’s fusion as simply “an incredible combination.”

Specializing in a unique mix of what might be called bluegrass soul, the SteelDrivers have become one of the biggest names in progressive bluegrass after making their debut in 2005. While there’s a strong traditional streak in the SteelDrivers sound, they bring a passion to their delivery that adds a distinctive flavor, and they’re not afraid of adding a forceful grit to the music.

The SteelDrivers have been nominated for four Grammys, the Americana Music Association’s New Artist of the Year, and were awarded IBMA’s 2009 Emerging Artist of The Year. In 2015, The Muscle Shoals Recordings won the Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Recording.

About Sun Records: 

Established in 1952 by Sam Phillips, Sun Records is renowned for discovering music legends including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis. The label moved to Nashville in 1969 where it continued cultivating acclaimed artists Jeannie C. Riley, The Dixie Cups, Linda Martell, and many others. As a member of the newly-formed Sun Label Group under Primary Wave, Sun Records continues to foster musical innovation while honoring its rich history of shaping American music culture. For more information, visit sunrecords.com.

Sun Label Group Est. 2024:

Honoring Icons, Elevating Soundscapes, Inspiring Journeys

Sun Label Group celebrates 160 years of music across Sun Records, Gaither Music, Green Hill Music, and emeraldwave by Green Hill. Under parent company Primary Wave, the dynamic and innovative music company is dedicated to celebrating the legacy of musical icons and shaping the future of music and entertainment. From catalog preservation and reimagination to curating exceptional new auditory experiences, Sun Label Group is a testament to the enduring power of music.