15 Southern Rock & Roots-Rock Bands You Need To Know About 2021

By Martine Ehrenclou

In the heat of the summertime, there’s something special about listening to Southern Rock or Roots-Rock music on your back porch with your favorite beverage in hand or with friends at a concert or backyard party. It just feels right. There’s something about the grit and groove of Southern Rock and Roots Rock that goes hand-in-hand with the best parts of Summer. Get out your headphones or stereo and crank it up. Blasting it out of a classic muscle car is even better. Now, you’re living.

In case you’re thinking that the only Southern Rock bands worth listening to are vintage stalwarts Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers, or The Marshall Tucker Band, we have some surprises for you. Here are 15 Southern Rock and Roots-Rock artists and bands you need to get up to speed on. Some you might already know but we’d be remiss not to include them. Some you probably don’t and that’s what we live for: turning you on to amazing new music.

Compartmentalizing artists and bands into the Southern Rock category can be a little tricky.  A few hit the bullseye with their mix of blues and 70s hard rock such as Skynyrd or the much newer The Georgia Thunderbolts but others blend soul, R&B, country, and even folk into their sound. Regardless, we believe you need to experience each one of these outstanding Southern Rock and Roots-Rock bands and artists. All of them have a sound based in the American South but some may have more rock, twang, or soul in their vibe than others. Personally, I enjoy bands that include flavors from other genres in their music and keep their craft evolving.

I purposely did not include renowned bands such as Chris Stapleton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Marshall Tucker Band, Kid Rock, Lucinda Williams, Tedeschi Trucks Band, and others because you’re already rocking to them. Today, we’re all about finding you some new jams to finish off your Summer.

Each of these 15 bands is hand-picked. I genuinely think very highly of them and included their information, websites, and videos so you can sample their music and check out their worlds.

Because the pandemic put touring and more on hold for 15 months, musicians still need our help and concern. Please visit their websites and buy their music and merch, if you can. Sign up for their newsletters and subscribe to their YouTube channels. We didn’t get through the pandemic without music so we owe a debt of support to those who make it.

I hope you enjoy every one of the acts you’re about to hear. Please put your favorites in the Comment Section below.

The Georgia Thunderbolts
Ushering in a new generation of classic Southern rock steeped in soul and the blues, The Georgia Thunderbolts hail from Rome, GA at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. All Southern swagger, blistering blues, and raw rock, the band is comprised of Riley Couzzourt (guitar), Zach Everett (bass, harmony vocals, keys), TJ Lyle (vocals, harmonica, keys)  Bristol Perry (drums) Logan Tolbert (guitar). They are set to release a new album,  Can We Get A Witness on Oct. 15 via Mascot Records.
Info and video press here 

Robert Jon & The Wreck
With Southern rock and roll outfit, Robert Jon & The Wreck, the Southern rock resurgence is shining brighter than ever. This blues and country-infused rock ’n’ roll quintet have consistently delivered soaring solos, boogieing grooves, and arguably perfect tunes since 2011. Stunning vocals and harmonies are the band’s trademark, along with ripping slide guitar, rocking drums, and piano. These award-winners are known for their songwriting chops and stellar musicianship. Their last album, Last Light On The Highway, was released to critical acclaim. RJTW are set to release a new album, Shine A Light On Me Brother, on September 3, 2021.
Info and video press here. 

Jonathon Long
Having established himself as a blues artist from Baton Rouge, LA under “Jonathon ‘Boogie’ Long, he’s toured with B.B. King, Chris Duarte and Kenny Neal. Jonathon Long is a virtuoso guitar player and a soulful, truly great vocalist, a versatile entertainer and original songwriter. Long recently released his newest album, Parables of a Southern Man, produced by Samantha Fish. His guitar playing is superb, his singing and songwriting is top-tier.
Info and video press here.

Caleb Johnson
From Asheville, NC, Caleb Johnson is a powerhouse vocalist, songwriter who competed on American Idol and went on to tour with KISS, Black Stone Cherry, and TSO. His 2019 album, Born From Southern Ground, and his new release is Mountain Mojo Vol. 1 (2021). His studio band is comprised of Jason Bonham, Tyler Bryant, Josh Sawyer, Audley Freed, Tony Lucido, Mike Web, Damon Johnson, Gale Mayes, Devonne, Michele, Angela Primm. A thunderous, killer voice and a unique, soulful, Southern hard rocking sound.
Website 
Video

Marcus King Band
25-year-old guitar phenom, innovative songwriter, and soulful vocalist, Marcus King blends swaggering blues-rock and supersonic soul. Founded in Greenville, SC in 2013, the Marcus King Band is Marcus King (vocals, guitar), Jack Ryan (drums), Stephen Campbell (bass), Justin Johnson (trumpet/trombone), Dean Mitchel (guitarist). The Marcus King Band released three albums and an EP, and King’s solo debut, El Dorado, (2020) was produced by Dan Auerbach.
Info and video press here 

Blackberry Smoke
Acclaimed Southern rock band from Georgia, Blackberry Smoke is known for their soulful vocals, crunchy Southern rock, fuzzed out electric guitars,  beautiful harmonies and great songs. Composed of Charlie Starr (vocals, guitar), Richard Turner (bass, vocals), Brit Turner (drums), Paul Jackson (guitar, vocals), Brandon Still (keyboards). Their latest release is You Hear Georgia (2021) that follows Find A Light (2018). Formed in 2001, the band tours relentlessly, building a strong and loyal community of fans. Their music has been prominently featured in the TV show “Yellowstone” and they’ve performed on The Tonight Show, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Conan O’Brien, and more.
Info and video press here 

Allman Betts Band
Formed in 2018, the Allman Betts Band includes the sons of three founding members of the Allman Brothers band: Devon Allman (son of Gregg Allman), Duane Betts (son of Dickey Betts) and Berry Duane Oakley (son of Berry Oakley). Other members are Johnny Stachela on slide guitar, John Ginty on Hammond B3 and R. Scott Bryan and John Lum (percussion.) The band performs original music along with classic songs by The Allman Brothers Band. Their sophomore album, Bless Your Heart, was released August 28, 2020. Like their debut album, Bless Your Heart was recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios. They are currently on tour.
Info and video press here. 

Them Dirty Roses
Born and raised Alabama now based in Nashville, Them Dirty Roses are as Southern as they come. Brothers James and Hank Ford along with friends Andrew Davis and Ben Crain, formed this Southern rock band. With five albums to their name, their latest album is Locked Down & Unplugged-Live In Huntsville, Alabama (2020).
Website 
Video 

Larkin Poe
Grammy nominated sister duo, Larkin Poe is made up of  Nashville-based Rebecca and Megan Lovell, two incredibly talented roots rockers with a sound that’s drawn from their Southern heritage. Multi-instrumentalists and vocalists, their roots music is made up of beautiful vocals, guitar, lap steel, slide guitar, and heavy electric guitar riffs. The band is made up of Rebecca Lovell (lead vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, mandolin, banjo, violin, piano) Megan Lovell (harmony vocals, lapsteel, dobro), Tarka Layman (bass), Kevin McGowen (drums.) They have six studio albums to their name, six EPs, and their most recent album is Kindred Spirits (2020)
Info and video press here 

The Delta Sons
The Delta Sons are from Nashville, TN and were founded by friends, Zack Mutual, Dan Drogosh, Joseph Maliszewski, Evan Mayo, and Ethan Willis. There’s always been something intriguing about the Mississippi Delta to the band and after many trips to the region, the band has grown to love the history and sound of the Delta Blues. Together they decided to record their own spin of Classic Southern Rock music. With gritty vocals, blues and rock infused guitar riffs, punchy drums, and grooving bass, they are well on their way to be the next Lynyrd Skynyrd. Their debut single is “Home.”
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Magnolia Bayou
Forged in the heart of a Mississippi swamp, Magnolia Bayou’s sound is reminiscent of the golden age of rock and roll and flavored with a heavy, Southern swagger. Band members Andrew Fulton (vocals, guitar), Dylan Palmiero (lead guitar), Josh Estes (bass), and Cedric Feazell (drums) have made a name for themselves up and down the Mississippi Blues Trail and rocked important venues including House Of ‘Blues and Tipitina’s’ in New Orleans, Louisiana and the world-famous ‘3rd and Lindsley’ in Nashville, Tennessee. Their latest album is Strange Place (2020.)
Info and video press here 

Eric Johanson
Louisiana roots rocker Eric Johanson is a growing force in the roots/rock scene. Guitarist, singer and songwriter Johanson was a long time blues protégé of Tab Benoit and he released his first album, Burn It Down on Whiskey Bayou Records in 2017. His latest album, Below Sea Level was released September 18, 2020 produced by Luther and Cody Dickinson. Once the pandemic hit, Johanson started doing weekly acoustic livestreams and two albums emerged from them, Covered Tracks Vol 1 and Vol. 2. A terrifically talented guitarist, singer, songwriter, Johanson is now on tour. He has toured worldwide as the lead guitarist for Cyril Neville, Grammy winner Terrance Simien and has also been featured with JJ Grey and Mofro, Eric Lindell, Mike Zito, The Neville Brothers and Anders Osbourne.
Info and video press here 

The Wild West
Calling themselves The Wild West, six of the most treasured female singer-songwriters in Los Angeles have forged a strong bond of friendship that led them to a write and record their new song “Better Way.” The empowering message of the ensemble’s first single is shared equally by its members, all of whom have enjoyed significant success as solo artists: Tawny Ellis, Pi Jacobs, Heather Anne Lomax, Amilia K. Spicer, Deb Morrison,and Manda Mosher.
Info and video press here 

Maggie Rose
Nashville-based rock and soul vocalist, songwriter Maggie Rose is is set to release her new album, Have A Seat on August 20, 2021. Her third album, it was produced by Ben Tanner of Alabama Shakes. After years of honing her chops and making her name as a force-of-nature vocalist, the Nashville-based singer/songwriter has dreamed up her own unbridled collision of rock-and-roll, soul, folk, funk, and R&B. Not quite in the Southern rock/roots rock genre, but Rose is too good not to include.
Info and video press here.