Everything was really in line. Americana/southern rock/hard country band The Steel Woods, performing at The Loud this weekend, also began 2021 with a loss in the death of their founding guitarist Jason "Rowdy" Cope in. 8:52 pm. Nicknamed Rowdy, the North Carolina native also played on Johnsons albums That Lonesome Song and The Guitar Song and co-wrote The Guitar Song track Cant Cash My Checks.. Photo by Jessica Blankenship. Time slips away call a friend you havent talked to in a while and tell them you love them. Together theyd take requests and fire off covers of The Devil Went Down to Georgia. Proud of his Southern bona fides and determined to prove he wasnt an actor playing a part, Cope would sell customers moonshine that he bootlegged from North Carolina to California in his grandmothers car, disguising the white lightning in water bottles. The Steel Woods Declare New Album A Tribute To Jason "Rowdy" Cope Prior to co-founding the Steel Woods with singer Wes Bayliss in 2016, Cope played guitar in Johnsons band for nearly a decade and appeared on the outlaw country singers revered albums That Lonesome Song and The Guitar Song. ? Shortly thereafter, I was able to see them play at Songbirds in Chattanooga. Jason "Rowdy" Cope: Creator, Performer, Fan, and Student. Man, sad sad news, how old was he? Jason Cope was the wily veteran, while Wes Bayliss was the promising up-and comer. RIP Rowdy, you will be forever and greatly missed., A post shared by The Steel Woods (@thesteelwoods), Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. After ending his time with Jamey Johnsons band, he co-founded Steel Woods with Wes Bayliss after the two met, playing in a cover band. In early 2019 they released their latest record Old News to much critical acclaim. I will truly miss hearing him ripping up the soundwaves. In 2017 the band released their premiere album,Straw in the Wind. Johnson echoes Bayliss sentiment. The surviving members of The Steel Woods include Bayliss, bassist Johnny Stanton and drummer Isaac Senty. The Steel Woods Honor Late Co-Founder Jason 'Rowdy' Cope With New Album Breaks Down His Killer White House Correspondents Dinner Set, Bernie Sanders: Many GOP Leaders 'Don't Even Believe in Democracy'. January 20, 2021 @ She is a longtime contributor to MusicRow. Thoughts with the family and band. The autobiographical title track All Of Your Stones, was written by Cope with lead singer Wes Bayliss and Jamey Johnson, and addresses harnessing negativity and turning it into something positive. You name it, they came.. I saw em headline dive bar Carols, then Fitzgeralds patio, and open a sold out show for Cody in Madison in front of 2500 and the crowd went crazy!!! After the incident, Cope stepped up to offer emotional support to Waynes wife Carol, and his son Jack. Wes Bayliss: Well, you know I guess theres not a whole lot of differences, as long as we get to show up and play the show, you know. Right up there with the likes of Whiskey Myers and Blackberry Smoke, The Steel Woods are in the conversation for one the best country rock bands in the business right now. 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Previous albums had been recorded in between tour stops, but COVID-19 gave the Nashville band the opportunity to really spend their time in the studio working through material and trying out different takes on songs. By being high. January 19, 2021 @ And, stylistically, he had the complete package, he could go from flat out hard core honky-tonk twang, to southern rock slide, with all the requisite nasty growling distortion and fast rock licks. I loved the fact that he had enough drive and enough ambition., Related Stories Ive been off of social media for a bit and just ran into this news checking for potential dates for The Steel Woods. He killed the dragon. Kristy Pruitt Guess I missed Triggers writing on them. Rowdy grew up with metal. - 2 years ago @amandacannon: RT @JoniKni56808241: Jason Cope - 2 years ago He came to me one evening and broke out a pint of whiskey. March 4, 2021 The Steel Woods have announced their third album, All of Your Stones, a record that arrives as unplanned eulogy to the Southern rock band's co-founder Jason "Rowdy" Cope. 2023 Music Row Enterprises, LLC All rights reserved. January 17, 2021 @ It seems to be unnamed. January 20, 2021 @ Founding guitarist for fast-rising and critically-acclaimed country and Southern rock band The Steel Woods, and long time session guitarist and touring member of Jamey Johnsons backing band Jason Rowdy Cope has died according to the band. Warren Haynes, Jamey Johnson, Don Was Return for the Last Waltz Tour 2022, Despite their 13-year age difference, Cope and Bayliss spoke a similar musical language in the Steel Woods even if the elder Cope was just as passionate about hard rock and heavy metal bands like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath as he was about the Allman Brothers and the Eagles. After loss of a band member, The Steel Woods return with new album 11:27 pm, Ohhh man Im fuckin heart broken. It was his side hustle. It brought people from California, Texas, Indiana, Florida, Blankenship said. Cope dealt with post-traumatic stress disorder throughout his life. Jason Rowdy Cope, co-founder and guitar player of country rock band The Steel Woods, passed away. January 18, 2021 @ Honest songwriting, always trying to push the boundaries of our musicianship and keeping it really close to our roots when it comes to our influences., The Steel Woods announced Copes death on social media, writing in part on Instagram, We are writing this still in a state of shock and kindly ask for your prayers for the family, friends and band at this time. The Steel Woods are planning the May 14 release of their album, All Of Your Stones, the band's final project with co-founder Jason "Rowdy" Cope who passed away unexpectedly in his sleep earlier this year. RIP, Angie Peoples HankThrilliams January 1, 2022 @ Hopefully, the true cause will be revealed. My coverage of his tragic and unfortunate death wasnt posted for clicks any more than any other article ever posted about the death of anyonewhether its one of the 40 full-length obituaries I posted for musicians who passed away in 2020, The lengthy In Memoriam article I posted at the end of 2020 that detailed the dozens of contributors to country that passed away in 2020, the obituary I just posted today (Thursday) for Randy Parton, or the dozens of articles I have posted following up on the deaths of other individuals important to the country music realm. Hes also featured playing guitar on her 2013 albumTin Starand the Secret Sisters 2010 self-titled album. The Steel Woods were cofounded by Wes Bayliss, Jason "Rowdy" Cope, and business partner Derek Stanley. 6:04 pm. His death was already heartbreaking but it would be even more if it was under even more heartbreaking circumstances. He was one of the kindest, funniest most talented people I ever knew, producer Dave Cobb said at the news. He really was the un-Rowdy for the last couple of years, being sober and making sure that everybody else was in line, Bayliss says. The two comprised the primary songwriters of The Steel Woods, with bass player Johnny Stanton, and drummer Jay Tooke filling out the roster.After releasing their debut album Straw in the Wind in 2017 via Thirty Tigers, The Steel Woods immediately shot up the country and Southern Rock depth charts, aided by big opportunities opening for Blackberry Smoke, Miranda Lambert, Cody Jinks, Jamey Johnson, and Dwight Yoakam. The album that ultimately became All Of Your Stones has more than just COVID as a back story. Jason Cope, affectionately known as ' Rowdy ' and founder of Southern rock band The Steel Woods, has passed away at 42. KEARNEY When Jason "Rowdy" Cope died at age 42 in January, his band members in The Steel Woods dealt with the shock of his death. 7:23 pm, I am so sad to hear this I met Rowdy back around 2014-ish in Nashville. While his bandmates couldn't offer further details about his death, they marked the tragic news "with a broken and heavy heart.". January 17, 2021 @ Bought both records on vinyl that night, saw them a year later at the same place and bought two shirts. 11:17 pm, We had a few good times together after numerous concerts..he always remembered me and treated me like a pal..gonna miss ya brother!, Truth5 The Steel Woods are carrying on in Copes memory and have already played shows with new guitarist Tyler Powers, who first stepped in when Cope was in rehab. Jason Cope American musician (The Steel Woods dead You will truly be missed. R.I.P. I read that you guys were influenced by Southern rock, your stage shows and your music is inspired by like Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. RIP Mr. January 24, 2021 @ The best playlists in country musicperiod. So the last three years with Jason were, he just felt so free and truly healed.. Before the news, The Steel Woods was preparing to release their third studio album this year. 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January 16, 2021 @ And now all of a sudden its in perfect line., With hindsight, Cobb sees a lot of knowing signs from Cope, especially in the smooth integration of Powers to the bands lineup and in key collaborations on All of Your Stones. We take comfort . The album was nominated for Saving Country Musics Album of the Year. Required fields are marked *. I remember hearing Rock That Says My Name on Outlaw and thinking Who the hell is THIS? Hes a Telecaster man, but hes not a clone of Don Rich. This sucks big time. RIP, JB-Chicago Jason Cope, the guitar player for the Southern rock band the Steel Woods and a collaborator with artists like Jamey Johnson and Brent Cobb, has died. Its a lifestyle. 6:30 pm, I know that Jack Mills, son of Wayne, was really close to Jason and the Steel Woods. I was shocked to hear that Jason passed away today. The Steel Woods Singer Talks Pressing On In Wake Of Band Member's Death Pictured: Rowdy (far right) with The Steel Woods. Prior to the show in Pineville, several gathered at Butcher's Pub, as well as tailgated in the parking lot. The Steel Woods Release Autobiographical New Track By Late Founder Jamey Johnson Joins Dave McMurray for Expansive Cover of Grateful Dead's 'To Lay Me Down' Courtesy of All Eyes Media. They are my favorite band, one of my favorite artists, and I hope that they will put out new music again. On Saturday, his bandmates delivered the sad news via social media. Cody Jinks Shows Up to Support Steel Woods' 1st Show Back January 16, 2021 @ It was during the murder trial of Wayne Mills in Nashville. It serves to remind me that we should never take our friends for granted and we should reach out while we can. 9:15 am, Such sad news. So very sad . Shawn Hernandez Autopsy reports regularly take between 6 to 8 weeks to conclude. If we did, they never caught us. January 16, 2021 @ Steel Woods, Jamey Johnson Guitarist Jason "Rowdy" Cope Has Died 7:35 am. While 2021 has hardly started, its unfortunately reminiscent of 2020: taking cherished country music icons away much too soon. This story will be updated as further information becomes available. Rowdy died from complications from diabetes. His ability to collaborate with artists across the musical spectrum leaves a long list of friends and colleagues morning the loss. The Steel Woods to Release Third Album Following Death of Guitarist I dont know how superstitious I am, but Rowdy was.. I Sigh Everytime I look at them !, Todd Smith There may be one or two names on there that people didnt think were, but I think one thing that its easy to go to, you know, like Willie Nelson or Merle Haggard when Im asked that question. His bandmates shared the sad news on social media on Saturday (Jan. 16). 9:39 pm. Its hard to accept that hes gone. Townes Van Zandt, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Waylon Jennings mostly. 7:53 pm. Anyone who saw Jameys band immediately after lonesome song was released, knows the deal. Maybe thats one that gets looked over sometimes, but I know thats the right answer to that question all the time. Please watch the full video to know more about Jason Rowdys cause of death, age, net worth, short bio.Jason Cope, the guitar player for the Southern rock band the Steel Woods and a collaborator with artists like Jamey Johnson and Brent Cobb, has died. I bought it at Whiskey Meyers show and met Jason and the rest of the band. January 16, 2021 @ Hell be very sorely missed.Jason Cope started The Steel Woods with lead singer/guitar player Wes Bayliss. My heart goes out to his family, friends, and all who knew him. Its made from all the stones people threw at us. Rant with us. I had tickets to see Steel Woods with Whiskey Myers last October in Idaho Falls Guess not. 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Jason "Rowdy" Cope, co-founder of the country-rock band the Steel Woods, has died. Rolling Stone is a part of Penske Media Corporation. I was very upset . Huntermc6 2023 Music Row Enterprises, LLC All rights reserved. The Steel Woods Announce New Album After Death of Guitarist Jason Cope Danny Cleary This has made the songs on the album feel even more poignant, as most of the songs on the album were written by Rowdy, and were largely autobiographical about some of the dark times he had faced in life and triumphed over. Jason "Rowdy" Cope, the 42-year-old co-founder of Southern rock band the Steel Woods, has died. Rest in peace. It was like a gut punch when my wife ( a huge SW fan also) told me of Rowdys passing this afternoon. Cope was the creative lead of the band as well as its lead guitarist, songwriter and co-producer, while Bayliss is a multi-instrumentalist, lead singer and co-producer.. Bayliss grew up in Woodland, Alabama, playing music in his family's gospel band and learned to play harmonica . This is a gut punch for me. Everytime I sat down, I told myself it was "He was a natural bridge between feel and technique," says Cope's friend Jamey Johnson. While getting sober was the high point He celebrated his sobriety. Still can't believe it. Cope. I guess thats the biggest thing is you know youve been deprived for so long, and people almost show a little more appreciation for, for just the fact that they can come out and see something that ordinarily was, you know, it was really ordinary to any day of the week you could go out and see a band before last year, and so yeah, people are really excited to be out, and were happy to be out too. If you think talking about artists like Jason Rowdy Cope results in large numbers of clicks beyond a very small niche of dialed-in independent fans, you dont know anything about how journalism and clickbait works. So young, it hurts more. Truly, he is. He was so cool: https://www.facebook.com/countryrebelclothing/videos/1171901902855487/ Rowdy will be deeply missed! January 18, 2021 @ Im saddened every time I look at that signed CD handing on my wall , Christina We got several pictures with him. We had a motorcycle ride down in Pineville, it was throughout Bell County, Copes friend Jessica Blankenship said. News January 24, 2021 @ Photo: Courtesy All Eyes Media. The recently revealed cause of Cope's death was due to severe complications from diabetes. Jason was sooo cool. Hed always say the secret to success was keeping irons in the fire. He was the real damn deal. Both albums mixed elements of outlaw country and Southern rock with a blast of hard rock the group covered Black Sabbaths Hole in the Sky on Straw in the Wind and Changes on Old News. For Cope, who earned the nickname Rowdy for his wild-eyed, unpredictable persona, those good deeds and small victories were hard won. January 24, 2021 @ His cause of death was linked to his Type II diabetes, diagnosed in late. Its like trying to wake myself up from a dream.. 3:06 am. It was so smooth. Catch the Kentucky Derby Festivals GospelFest Tonight at the Waterfront, 3 Concerts To Catch In Louisville This Weekend (4/28-4/30), The Louisville Orchestra Gala Gives Taste Of Yo-Yo Mas Sold-Out Mammoth Cave Performances. The Steel Woods To Release Final Album With Late Founder Rowdy Cope The Test Pressings are Numbered and Dated 17/25, 10-01-2018..What kills me is Friday Night, I turned 61 Yrs old, and The LAST Record I listened to, Was Straw in The Wind..I am STUNNED Beyond Grief.I have NOT Liked a Bands Music Like these Guys in a LONG Time to Go Out and Spend that Kind of Money, Because I believed They Were (ARE !) The Steel Woods guitarist, Jason Cope, dies at 42. - Country Standard Time An Alabama-bred singer/multi-instrumentalist with a drawling Ronnie Van Zant voice and a love for classic country and Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bayliss first met Cope in 2015 at a bar they were both playing in Dickson, Tennessee, in the hinterlands outside of Nashville. He played guitar with the heart and soul of a virtuoso and the passion of a freedom fighter, Jamey Johnson says of Rowdy. What do you most want people to take away from this album? May his family and friends find comfort in knowing that Jason touched many lives in a positive way through his music. It was so easy. Gonna be a force in Music for a while ! Kenny Dubman A few hours later he took the stage and showed everyone in the crowd why he was one of the best young guitar players in country music. Knaw. He was a huge influence in my life . The North Carolina native played on Johnsons albums That Lonesome Song and The Guitar Song,co-wrote The Guitar Song track Cant Cash My Checks, and worked with artists like Brent Cobb as well. You know, some people, they work on technique all the time and then when they play, you kind of feel like somebodys been doing a bunch of math. Jason 'Rowdy' Cope of Country-Rock Band Steel Woods Dead at 43 - Outsider He played on multiple albums for Lindi Ortega, and produced her 2017 EP Til The Goin Gets Gone. All love to Jason Rowdy Cope, his friends, his family, and his fans. When the Steel Woods' co-founder Jason "Rowdy" Cope died unexpectedly at the age of 42 in January, the band had recently been recording new music.On May 14, Cope's surviving bandmates will move . It had been snowing hard all day, and the garage attendants had all gone home with the gates down. Coming out via Woods Music/Thirty Tigers, the band's third release is expected to be their strongest and most substantive work to date. I found it to be a task that was going to prove to be impossible to accomplish.