Florida-born Southern rock band 38 Special announces 1st new studio album in 20 years
Born in Jacksonville just over 50 years ago, 38 Special is still holding on loosely. The nonstop Southern rock band is celebrating its anniversary with its first studio album in more than twenty years.
"Milestone" is a new look at the classic band, featuring guests and co-writers Pat Monahan of Train, Randy Bachman of Bachman-Turner Overdrive and The Guess Who, Jim Peterik of Survivor, Sammy Hagar, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Cheap Trick.
"After all this time, we wanted to create a more modern 38 Special album," said frontman, co-founder and last original member Don Barnes in a release. "This is a fresh, updated approach to the sound we've been making together for so long. Why not make a big statement after all these years? When you're reintroducing yourself to the world, 'good enough' doesn't work anymore. If you're gonna do it, you might as well go big."
The new album drops Sept. 19, 2025.
What is 38 Special?
Known for a run of hit songs during the 1980s and early 1990s including "Hold On Loosely," "Caught Up in You," "Rockin' into the Night," "Back Where You Belong," "The Sound of Your Voice" and more, the "wild-eyed Southern boys" have gone through multiple lineup changes since 38 Special was formed in 1974 by Barnes and Donnie Van Zant (younger brother of Lynyrd Skynyrd co-founder Ronnie Van Zant).
"After releasing a couple of albums of straight-ahead Southern boogie, the band revamped its sound to fall halfway between country-fried blues-rock and driving, arena-ready hard rock," a VH1 description read.
38 Special's last big hit was "Second Chance" in 1989, but the band has been touring seemingly nonstop, playing for fans for five decades and selling more than 20 million records.
Barnes produced "Milestone," the band's 13th studio album, with Peterik, who co-wrote some of the songs. He was an apt choice since aside from being a close friend of Barnes for years he also co-wrote some of the band's biggest songs back in the day, such as "Hold On Loosely" and "Caught Up In You."
38 Special one of several Southern rock bands out of Jacksonville
Rock band, 38 Special, poses for a photo
38 Special, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot, The Allman Brothers Band. All of them sprang up in the area and went on to tour stadiums and sell millions of albums.
38 Special releases first new single, 'All I Haven't Said'
The first single from the new album, "All I Haven't Said," is available for streaming and the music video has been released. Barnes called it "my throwback to the '60s, inspired by bands like the Searchers."
Who are the members of 38 Special?
The band has changed almost completely since the beginning, with Barnes as the only original member (and even he stepped away from 1987 to 1992).
Original lineup: Don Barnes (guitar, vocals), Donnie Van Zant (vocals), Jeff Carlisi (guitar), Jack Grondin (drums), Steve Brookins (drums), Larry Junstrom (bass)
Current lineup: Don Barnes (guitar, vocals), Bobby Capps (keyboards, vocals), Gary Moffatt (drums), Barry Dunaway (bass), Jerry Riggs (guitar).
"Now, I have to say… some of the 'new' members have been here over 30 years and they are my brothers, too," Barnes explains.
"We've built our mission out of sheer stamina and fortitude, and after all this time together, we've learned that if we're gonna do something, we should fiercely go at it and do it the best we possibly can.
Is 38 Special touring?
38 Special is currently on its "50 Year Legacy Tour" across the country with appearances with Kansas, Dave Mason, The Outlaws and Jefferson Starship. See tour dates at 38special.com/tour.
