38 Special | OohYeah

You, as a fan of .38 Special, would be thrilled to know about the journey of the Jacksonville, Florida-based band, founded in 1975 by Donnie Van Zant. Being the brother of Lynyrd Skynyrd's leader, Ronnie Van Zant, Donnie had a strong Southern rock influence in his music, much like The Allman Brothers. In the early stages, .38 Special was one of many Southern rock bands, but they soon distinguished themselves with their unique blend of country-fried blues-rock and driving, arena-ready hard rock.With Don Barnes on guitar and vocals, Jeff Carlisi on guitar, Ken Lyons on bass, and Jack Grondin and Steve Brookins on drums, the band started making its mark. After a couple of albums that immersed in Southern boogie, the band revamped its sound, resulting in a string of hit albums and singles in the early '80s. Songs like "Caught Up in You," "If I'd Been the One," "Back Where You Belong," and "Like No Other Night" were all products of this exciting period.In 1977, the band signed with A&M Records and released its eponymous debut. Although their initial releases, 38 Special and Special Delivery, didn't receive much attention, the band's constant touring helped them to build a strong following. The departure of bassist Ken Lyons in 1979 was a significant turning point, but Larry Junstrom, who replaced him, helped the band to transition smoothly into a more melodic, driving sound with the album 'Rockin' Into the Night.' This album became a moderate hit, setting the stage for what was to come.In 1981, they hit the jackpot with “Wild-Eyed Southern Boys,” which went platinum and featured the top 40 single "Hold On Loosely." Their 1982 release, Special Forces, was even more popular, with the Top Ten single "Caught Up in You." The success story continued with Tour de Force (1983) and Strength in Numbers (1986). In 1987, Barnes and Brookins left the band, and Barnes was replaced by Danny Chauncey.Despite experiencing a dip in popularity in the late '80s due to the rise of MTV-sponsored pop and heavy metal, the band managed to pull off a successful comeback with the ballad "Second Chance" in 1989. This song, featured on the album Rock & Roll Strategy, became their biggest hit and secured them a place in the annals of rock history. In 1991, Barnes returned to the band, and they added drummer Scott Hoffman and keyboardist Bobby Capps to their lineup. However, despite these changes and the support of a new label, Charisma, their 1991's release, Bone Against Steel, didn't gain much attention. After a six-year hiatus, .38 Special returned in 1997 with a comeback effort titled Resolution, released on Razor & Tie Records. This was followed by Live at Sturgis on CMC in 1999. As a fan, you'll agree that the journey of .38 Special, though filled with ups and downs, is a testament to their unwavering dedication to their music and fans. Their story is one of resilience, adaptation, and passion for rock n' roll, and it continues to inspire generations of music lovers.