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It was a big night for The Red Clay Strays<\/a>, who took home Vocal Group of the Year at the 2025 CMA Awards on Wednesday night (Nov. 19).<\/p>\n While some viewers were just discovering the Alabama band for the first time, others have been following them since their breakout debut, Moment of Truth<\/em>, dropped in 2022.<\/p>\n With a soul-stirring performance of \u201cPeople Hatin\u2019\u201d<\/a> \u2014 a gospel-rock-leaning call for unity \u2014 the band staked their claim as one of the most emotionally resonant acts of the night.<\/p>\n Then came their first-ever CMA<\/a> win.<\/p>\n During a backstage interview after accepting the award, frontman Brandon Coleman made it clear that while they\u2019re honored by the recognition, the band still doesn\u2019t exactly see themselves as a country group \u2014 at least, not yet.<\/p>\n Read More:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>9 Country Stars Who Skipped the 2025 CMA Awards<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re very thankful for it<\/a>,\u201d Coleman said. \u201cWe were a lot of different genres when we started playing together\u2026 I was the hick of the group. So country music has a very special place in my heart.”<\/p>\n He continued, “That\u2019s the reason I always say we don\u2019t really play country music \u2014 because when we get ready to make an actual country record, it\u2019ll be country music.\u201d<\/p>\n Coleman was quick to explain that the sentiment comes from deep respect for the genre \u2014 not distance from it.<\/p>\n \u201cI think country music deserves to be recognized as a genre<\/a>,\u201d he told the crowd. \u201cSo if you\u2019re just playing rock n\u2019 roll music but calling it country music, I think that\u2019s doing country a disservice. That\u2019s why I always say that.\u201d<\/p>\n The band\u2019s sound may lean Southern rock, blues, and soul \u2014 but their heart is firmly rooted in the South. And, in true Red Clay Strays fashion, Coleman wrapped the moment with humility.<\/p>\n \u201cBut we are all country boys and we\u2019re Southern gentlemen, so we\u2019re very happy to be accepted by the community<\/a> \u2014 and we\u2019ll eventually make some actual country music, too,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Formed in Mobile, Alabama, in 2016, The Red Clay Strays have always worn their roots proudly \u2014 blending faith, soul, and rock-and-roll into a sound that might live on the edges of country, but never feels out of place.<\/p>\n Their CMA performance of \u201cPeople Hatin\u2019\u201d served as both an introduction and a mission statement.<\/p>\n And whether or not they think they\u2019re country yet \u2014 the fans, and now the CMAs, clearly think they belong<\/a>.<\/p>\n With another album due in 2026, The Red Clay Strays have plenty more to say \u2014 and plenty more room to surprise.<\/p>\n Read More:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>14 Things the 2025 CMA Awards Wouldn\u2019t Show You on TV<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWork hard and trust God,\u201d Coleman said from the stage. \u201cWe\u2019re good.\u201d<\/p>\n See country music’s best dressed from the 2025 CMA Awards. These red carpet pictures feature CMA performers, presenters and more, plus country music’s hottest couples.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\u2018We\u2019ll Get There\u2019<\/h3>\n
A Big Win, a Bigger Message<\/h3>\n
2025 CMA Awards Red Carpet Pictures<\/h2>\n