New Album, "Outrun," Set for Release on May 12, 2025

Nashville, TN – February 6, 2025 – It’s a partnership that feels destined to happen. The SteelDrivers, the bluegrass-rooted band that has spent two decades blending country, soul, blues, Americana, and more to create their signature sound, has officially signed with none other than Sun Records. This collaboration celebrates the band’s 20th anniversary in 2025 and marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in their storied career.

Over the past two decades, The SteelDrivers have been anything but typical in their approach to bluegrass music. With their rich blend of influences and a passionate delivery, the band has earned critical acclaim, four Grammy nominations, and one Grammy Award, among other accolades. Their music doesn’t shy away from pushing boundaries, incorporating everything from country and soul to contemporary blues into their traditional bluegrass roots. It’s this forward-thinking approach that makes their partnership with Sun Records such a perfect fit.

The SteelDrivers Join the Sun Records Legacy

Sun Records, founded in 1952 by the legendary Sam Phillips, has always been a beacon for innovation. Known for launching the careers of music icons like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis, the label’s spirit of genre-crossing and creative freedom makes it an ideal home for a band like The SteelDrivers, who have spent two decades reimagining what bluegrass can be.

Chase Gregory, Senior Director of A&R/Sync at Sun Records, said of the signing, “The founder of Sun Records, Sam Phillips, and his successor, Shelby Singleton, both had a knack for recording and releasing great music across a diverse array of genres. While the sounds vary from artist to artist, one thing ties it all together: ingenuity. Now under its third owner, Primary Wave, Sun has risen and is releasing great new music again for the first time in decades. We are thrilled to welcome The SteelDrivers to the Sun Records family! They are emblematic of Sun’s Americana roots, and we are honored to help them celebrate 20 years as a group.”

Mike Fleming, bassist for The SteelDrivers, shared his excitement about the signing: “As The SteelDrivers celebrate the 20th year of our musical odyssey, I cannot imagine a finer coupling for our new recording than the iconic Sun Records.” Fiddler Tammy Rogers echoed this sentiment, adding, “We’re excited to partner with a true icon. Sun Records definitely has the ‘cool’ factor!”

“Outrun” – The New Album

The highly anticipated new album, Outrun, will be released by Sun Records on May 12, 2025. The band’s latest work promises to deliver the same passion and energy that fans have come to expect, with an added layer of creativity fueled by their new label home. As they celebrate 20 years of music, Outrun will be a testament to The SteelDrivers’ evolution as artists while staying true to the unique blend of bluegrass, soul, and blues that has made them a household name in progressive bluegrass circles.

Until the album’s release, fans can expect sneak peeks of new music, fresh SteelDrivers merchandise, and an updated tour schedule. For more information, visit the official SteelDrivers website at thesteeldrivers.com.

A New Chapter for The SteelDrivers

Since forming in 2005, The SteelDrivers have been one of Nashville’s most exciting and distinctive bands, composed of seasoned musicians who have earned their stripes in the country and bluegrass scenes. Their music combines the traditional sounds of bluegrass with an added edge—often described as “bluegrass soul.” This fusion has earned them a devoted fanbase and critical acclaim, with influential figures like Vince Gill praising their unique style. Gill once called their blend of genres “an incredible combination.”

Throughout their career, The SteelDrivers have remained unapologetic in their pursuit of something new, something different. This has led them to countless accolades, including four Grammy nominations, recognition from the Americana Music Association, and the coveted 2009 IBMA Emerging Artist of the Year Award. In 2015, they won a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Recording for The Muscle Shoals Recordings.

Their new partnership with Sun Records marks a natural continuation of their journey—a perfect melding of their innovative sound with one of the most storied labels in music history.

About Sun Records

Founded by Sam Phillips in 1952, Sun Records is synonymous with musical greatness. Home to legends such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis, the label helped shape the foundations of rock and roll. After relocating to Nashville in 1969, Sun Records continued to foster groundbreaking talent, working with artists like Jeannie C. Riley and Linda Martell. Now part of the Sun Label Group under Primary Wave, the label continues to celebrate the legacy of American music while welcoming a new era of innovation.

The Sun Label Group

Established in 2024, Sun Label Group encompasses a diverse range of musical endeavors, from preserving classic catalogs to shaping new, exciting artists. Alongside Sun Records, the group also includes Gaither Music, Green Hill Music, and emeraldwave by Green Hill. It’s a dynamic force in the music industry, bridging the gap between honoring iconic pasts and forging forward into uncharted musical territories.

Looking Ahead

As The SteelDrivers begin their next chapter with Sun Records, fans can look forward to a new album, Outrun, which promises to deliver the band’s signature sound in an even more electrifying way. With their 20th anniversary upon them, The SteelDrivers continue to lead the charge in progressive bluegrass, mixing genres and forging new paths, all while honoring the roots that made them who they are today.

For more updates, exclusive sneak peeks, and tour announcements, be sure to visit www.thesteeldrivers.com.

About The SteelDrivers

The SteelDrivers are a bluegrass and progressive Americana band formed in Nashville in 2005. Known for their soulful blend of bluegrass, country, blues, and Americana, the band has received four Grammy nominations and one Grammy Award, as well as numerous accolades from the Americana Music Association and IBMA. Their music is a fusion of traditional bluegrass with an unapologetically contemporary edge, earning them a place as one of the most exciting and innovative acts in modern Americana music.