The Stray Sons Are Ready to “Say Goodbye”

The Stray Sons have never been a band interested in standing still. From their Red Dirt roots to the heavier edges they’ve woven into their sound, the Amarillo-based “Shred Dirt” band has continued to evolve with every song, every stage, and every chapter along the way. Today, that chapter includes Brad on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Jared on lead guitar, Kyle on rhythm guitar, Greg on drums, and Stephen on bass.. To get a closer look at the song, the new lineup, and what’s ahead for The Stray Sons, we sat down with lead singer and rhythm guitarist Brad to talk about the story behind their latest release.

Q. You recorded “Say Goodbye” on September 19th with Caleb Grant. What can you tell us about the song and what sparked it?

A. The song is over 2 years old and when I first wrote it, I submitted it to a song writing contest & was almost instantly rejected. This song came after I broke up with someone who was extremely toxic to me, my kids, and every aspect of my life. However, because it was seen as “another break up song” it never really grew legs until this year.

Q. What was it about Caleb Grant that made him the right person to work with on this particular track?

A. We have worked with other talented producers & engineers in the past but Caleb really grasps what we are trying to do. He can hear the direction & definitely understands our influences and personal goals for our music. Caleb allowed us to be ourselves & only offered suggestions or advice that made our ideas better. He was more than a pleasure to work with and we will be going back to him asap.

Q. How did “Say Goodbye” come together in the studio? Was it something you walked in already knowing, or did the song evolve during the recording process?

A. We put the song together about 6 months ago & have been playing it live since then. It’s gotten a lot of feedback at shows & after we released “FAFO,” it was obviously the next song we had to record. So, outside of making some minor changes to the dynamics of the song, we had it ready for the studio from day one.

Q. Without giving everything away, how would you describe the sound of “Say Goodbye” compared to the songs you’ve released previously?

A. “Say Goodbye” is 100% giving you our best version of who we are. We’ve been flirting with different sounds over the years and with Say Goodbye, you’re getting who we are moving forward. We’re a rock band that’s highly influenced by the bands of the late 90s and 2000s, and you’ll hear that in “Say Goodbye” & everything moving forward.

Q. The title “Say Goodbye” immediately makes you wonder what, or who, is being left behind. What does that phrase mean to the band?

A. Saying goodbye to what could have been but also what wasn’t worth fighting for any more. We all have our limits and we all have to break away from people, situations, jobs, etc that drag us down or draw out the worst versions of ourselves. Say Goodbye is an anthem that is saying, I’d rather leave than to continue down a path that will bring me nothing more than pain and regret. The song is about a relationship but it can be seen as more. Such as, letting go of that job that you can’t move up in, letting go of that addiction that is killing you, letting go of that friend that’s using you, or you can take it at face value.

Q. Was there a particular moment during the recording where you knew, “Yeah, we’ve got something here”?

A. Well, we knew we had something from the get go but what really makes the song is hearing the second verse and the dynamic shift in it vs the 1st verse AND the second chorus going into the guitar solo. Everyone brought their A game and you can feel it right in the middle of the song.

Q. When we last talked, you were working on new music and continuing to figure out exactly where The Stray Sons fit musically. Has that changed at all as the band has continued to grow?

A. We have decided to go all in as a rock band. We loved our time in the Red-Dirt/Rock scene but the more we grow the more we lean into playing rock & writing rock. It suits everyone’s attitude, talents, & enjoyment levels better. So expect more rock inspired tunes coming from TSS.

Q. You’ve talked before about not wanting to be boxed into one genre. Does “Say Goodbye” push that idea even further?

A. I think so. Rock is a very diverse genre and allows you so much room to explore and create. “Say Goodbye” is us going all in on that and we can’t wait for yall to hear it.

Q. What have you learned about yourselves as a band since those earlier releases that you brought into this recording?

A. To let things happen naturally and let it breathe. In the past we were dead set in that certain parts had to be played a certain way or we had to fit it into a “formula.” We actually started this in FAFO where we have 90% of the song mapped out but we leave enough room for happy accidents or creative freedom to happen when laying down tracks. That allows us to create something organic and from a real place and not from a formula or a copy and paste type mindset.

Q. If someone discovered The Stray Sons through “Say Goodbye,” what would you want them to understand about the band that they might not get from hearing just one song?

A. We are genuine. We are 1 million percent unapologetically us. We are every human. We are you. We feel what you feel. We breathe the same air. Bleed the same blood. We are no different than you. We just talk about it through our music.

Q. Your music has always had a pretty raw, lived-in quality to it. How much of “Say Goodbye” comes from personal experience versus simply telling a story?

A. Every single word is part of my personal experience. I have said these exact words to former friends, family, or partners in the past and it’s now in song form.

Q. Do you think the meaning of a song like this changes once you finally play it in front of an audience?

A. I think it will mean something different to everyone and that’s ok. We just want them to feel something when hearing this song.

Q. Was “Say Goodbye” an easy song for the band to agree on, or did everyone have a different vision for it at first?

A. No. Two years ago when I presented the song to that version of the band, it was sorta shot down. When we needed to add more songs to our setlist this year, I presented “Say Goodbye” again to our new lineup and it worked out almost immediately. This just goes to show that you need the right people at the right time. That’s all.

Q. Is “Say Goodbye” a standalone single, or is it part of a larger batch of music you’ve been working on?

A. It may be the last stand alone single we do. we are currently looking at doing an EP!

Q. Can fans expect more new music from The Stray Sons following this release?

A. We are looking at doing an EP and I have about 6 songs written that we are about to dive into and flesh out!

Q. What are you most excited about right now? Another recording, getting back on stage, or simply seeing where this song takes you?

A. Well we love playing live but we are really excited to see how this song does. It’s hands down the best song we have written and recorded!

Q. If you could put The Stray Sons on a stage with any artist right now, who would you want to share that stage with, and why?

A. Honestly, since we’re moving into the rock scene, Saving Abel, Dexter & The Moonrocks, Fox n Vead, and, don’t laugh, Creed!

Q. You changed the cover art after listening to it. What about the song made you change it up?

A. Again, we wanted the artwork to parallel the style of the song. It has a 2000s rock vibe to it and we believe the new artwork fits the song’s attitude & sound better than the original art.

Q. Finally, what do you hope people feel when they hear “Say Goodbye” for the first time?

A. Justification! I want you to feel that you did the right thing by standing up for yourself and leaving that toxic situation! You’re worth more than allowing yourself to be put through hell and you deserve peace and happiness!

There’s something powerful about finally letting go of what was never meant to stay, and “Say Goodbye” feels like The Stray Sons turning that realization into an anthem. Born from personal experience but written in a way that leaves room for listeners to find their own meaning, the song marks a new chapter for a band that has decided to embrace who they are without hesitation. With a renewed focus on rock, a new lineup finding its identity, and the possibility of an EP already taking shape, The Stray Sons are clearly looking ahead. Although a release date for “Say Goodbye” has yet to be announced, when it arrives, The Stray Sons want listeners to turn it up, let go, and maybe find a little justification of their own.

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