Lainey Wilson Delivers Surprise Collaboration At Ottawa BluesFest With Red Clay Strays’ Brandon Coleman
Ottawa BluesFest kicked off on July 10, and Lainey Wilson launched the nine-day festival with a high-energy 17-song headlining set. Fans heard all the favorites — “Smell Like Smoke,” “Country’s Cool Again,” “Things a Man Oughta Know,” “Watermelon Moonshine,” “Hang Tight Honey,” and more — but they also got something completely unexpected.
Midway through the show, Wilson paused to welcome a surprise guest: Brandon Coleman, lead singer of the fast-rising country-rock band The Red Clay Strays.
The Strays had already performed earlier that day, making it easy for Coleman to return to the stage — and the crowd erupted when the two launched into a powerful duet of Johnny Cash’s “God’s Gonna Cut You Down.”
Coleman’s gritty, soulful vocals paired seamlessly with Wilson’s signature tone, giving new life to the 2003 Cash recording that was released posthumously in 2006. The audience sang along, cheering throughout the performance.
Afterward, The Red Clay Strays shared video of the duet on social media with the caption, “Thanks for letting me sing one with ya, Lainey!”
Wilson replied, “Honored to sing with YOU!”
Fans were equally thrilled, with one noting, “Johnny would’ve been proud of this one. Keep spreading the good news with that beautiful music.”
Who Are The Red Clay Strays?
Formed in 2016 in Mobile, Alabama, The Red Clay Strays began as a cover band before recording their debut album, Moment of Truth, thanks to a fan-funded campaign. Though the album didn’t chart upon release, the group built momentum through live performances at CMA Fest, Lollapalooza, and other major events.
Their breakthrough came in late 2023 when “Wondering Why” went viral on TikTok, pushing the song onto the Billboard Hot 100. It has since been certified Platinum and its “Live AF” performance video has surpassed 29 million views on YouTube.
The band’s rise has only accelerated since:
Their song “Caddo Country” appears on the Twisters movie soundtrack
They opened shows for The Rolling Stones
They earned CMA and ACM Award nominations, winning New Vocal Duo or Group at the ACMs
They were featured in an exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame
With acclaim from both fans and critics, The Red Clay Strays are widely considered one of country music’s most exciting breakout acts.
Wilson’s surprise collaboration with Coleman at BluesFest wasn’t just a highlight of the night — it was a moment that showcased two artists at the top of their game, honoring a country legend with a performance fans won’t soon forget.