We had a motorcycle ride down in Pineville, it was throughout Bell County, Copes friend Jessica Blankenship said. Required fields are marked *. I lost a friend today. ? Shortly thereafter, I was able to see them play at Songbirds in Chattanooga. Rob Wilson Hes a killer player and I dont foresee anyone else in that seat for a long, long time, says Bayliss, who unknowingly eulogized his bandmate when he wrote the ballad Ole Pal for All of Your Stones. 7:53 pm. Big loss for country music. Rolling Stone is a part of Penske Media Corporation. The recently revealed cause of Cope's death was due to severe complications from diabetes. 2023 Rolling Stone, LLC. He was one of the kindest, funniest most talented people I ever knew, producer Dave Cobb said at the news. He taught me how to grow up, really. After recording the album, guitarist and songwriter Jason Rowdy Cope passed away in his sleep at the beginning of 2021 before the band could go out on tour to promote All Of Your Stones. 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. It was so easy. kadodd1 I was very upset . A mindset. Coming out via Woods Music/Thirty Tigers, the band's third release is expected to be their strongest and most substantive work to date. https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/The-Steel-Woods.jpeg, https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png, The Steel Woods To Release Final Album With Late Founder Rowdy Cope. 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. With Rowdy, he understood the technique, but when he played, it just poured. What an amazing band. Photo by Jessica Blankenship. Formed in 2016 after guitarist Jason "Rowdy" Cope, who played in Jamey Johnson's band for many years, met lead singer Wes Bayliss at a music venue in Nashville, The Steel Woods have been growing their grassroots following out on the road while opening for the likes of Miranda Lambert, Blackberry Smoke, Jamey Johnson, Whiskey Myers, Cody Jinks, and more. 9 Comments. The first time I met Jason, it was on a tour bus (when he was with Jamey) and we had the best sit down conversation about history and the education system. Most importantly, Cope found a use for all of those stones. 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 Nuance, thats what struck me, he coaxed pedal steel sounds out of that guitar by doing volume knob swells. Jason Cope, affectionately known as Rowdy and founder of Southern rock band The Steel Woods, has passed away at 42. in Nashville Saturday morning, January 16th, to check on him. Please watch the full video to know more about Jason Rowdy's cause of death, age,. RIP, JB-Chicago Bayliss is also a fierce guitarist and the interplay between him and Cope, pushed along by the chugging, sometimes sludgy rhythm of bassist Johnny Stanton and drummer Isaac Senty, made for epic moments of tension and release. He said I just want to utilize every opportunity I have to carry this torch for healing.. We take comfort in knowing he is in a better place now and his passion for music and art will live forever in the work he has left behind., RIP Rowdy, the band concludes, you will be forever and greatly missed.. 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. Country music is the lifeblood of Whiskey Riff, and we pride ourselves on standing firmly in the corner of the independent artists, and those few in the mainstream still doing it the right way. R.I.P. Trigger I guess being just a guitar player until then for other artists and whatnot, it had handcuffed him. So the last three years with Jason were, he just felt so free and truly healed.. He was so cool: https://www.facebook.com/countryrebelclothing/videos/1171901902855487/ Rowdy will be deeply missed! 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. Having collaborated with so many artists in his career leaves a long list of friends and collaborators morning Rowdys loss, including the family of country artist Wayne Mills, who was murdered in November of 2013. I found it to be a task that was going to prove to be impossible to accomplish. He gave me an education you cant teach unless you lived it. January 17, 2021 @ Although we never met . In his honor, a memorial fund was started and has since brought in several thousands of dollars. January 16, 2021 @ Coming out via Woods Music/Thirty Tigers, the bands third release is expected to be their strongest and most substantive work to date. Tuesday, January 19, 2021 - Jason "Rowdy" Cope, guitarist for The Steel Woods, died on Saturday at 42.. The 42-year-old was a hugely popular member of the community who had also worked as a player and producer with RIP Rowdy, you will be forever and greatly missed., In his own Instagram post, Brent Cobb recalled crashing on Copes couch in Los Angeles and listening to music like it was the only thing in life that mattered. Townes Van Zandt, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Waylon Jennings mostly. After recording the album, guitarist and songwriter Jason "Rowdy" Cope passed away in his sleep at the beginning of 2021 before the band could go out on tour to promote All Of Your Stones. April 8, 2021 @ Cope had just started teaching guitar lessons to kids and he didnt want them to find the videos online and be afraid of him. : 2021 sucks already. The Steel Woods are planning the May 14 release of their album,All Of Your Stones, the bands final project with co-founder Jason Rowdy Cope who passed away unexpectedly in his sleep earlier this year. He built himself an unshakeable legacy. Cope became familiar to fans performing onstage with Jamey Johnson for nearly a decade, and was an in-demand session guitarist, playing on albums by Lindi Ortega and the Secret Sisters, among others. 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Go to Appearance > Customize > Subscribe Pop-up to set this up. January 17, 2021 @ The Steel Woods are one of my faves, such amazing songs. Anyone who saw Jameys band immediately after lonesome song was released, knows the deal. A cold beer, hot grill and the great outdoors. After recording the album, guitarist and songwriter Jason "Rowdy" Cope passed away in his sleep at the beginning of 2021 before the band could go out on tour to promote All Of Your Stones. 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. January 20, 2021 @ Guess not. RIP, Angie Peoples 3:33 pm. January 18, 2021 @ 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. He played with Johnson for nine years, as well as on albums by The Secret Sisters, Lindi Ortega, The Oak Ridge Boys and more. It is with a broken and heavy heart that we share the news that our brother, friend and the founder of The Steel Woods, Jason Cope, has passed away, the band says. Cope became familiar to fans performing onstage with Jamey Johnson for nearly a decade, and was an in-demand session guitarist, playing on albums by Lindi Ortega and the Secret Sisters, among others. Time slips away call a friend you havent talked to in a while and tell them you love them.. Cope. In 2017 the band released their premiere album,Straw in the Wind. The album was nominated for Saving Country Musics Album of the Year. 6:21 pm. He produced Lindi Ortegas 2017 EPTil the Goin Gets Gone. But either way, we were somehow able to make something good out of it.. Join our e-mail list to receive LEO exclusives and special offers on tickets and giveaways. Nobody said I was just fishing for clicks when I nominated The Steel Woods for both Album of the Year, and Song of the Year in 2019. 7:35 am. The surviving members of The Steel Woods include Bayliss, bassist Johnny Stanton and drummer Isaac Senty. This is a huge loss for the music community. According to Don Aaron, Jason Cope was found by a male friend who went to his home on Erin Ln. After knocking on the door repeatedly and receiving no response, the friend forced entry where he found Jason Cope unresponsive, and called 911. 2023 Music Row Enterprises, LLC All rights reserved. After the incident, Cope stepped up to offer emotional support to Waynes wife Carol, and his son Jack. And one of the things we both kind of marveled at is the idea that even through that, God used us. 9:39 pm. RIP. Jason Cope, affectionately known as ' Rowdy ' and founder of Southern rock band The Steel Woods, has passed away at 42. I remember hearing Rock That Says My Name on Outlaw and thinking Who the hell is THIS? January 16, 2021 @ The band made the devastating announcement this evening on their social media: My heart goes out the guys in the band, Jasons friends, his family, everybody that had the chance to meet him along the way, and the die-hard fans of this great band. Theres of course no replacing Rowdy, but [Powers] is really just what we need right now. Wes Bayliss wants you to know: He's good. 9:01 am. Despite the unexpected death in January of his bandmate Jason "Rowdy" Cope, who made up the other half of The Steel Woods, which pulls into The Shed in Maryville for a two-night stand starting Friday he's made his peace with it, he told The Daily Times this week. 6:15 am. 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.. 7:02 pm, Daniel Miller It was this idea of us being the umpire. Its like trying to wake myself up from a dream.. BELL COUNTY, Ky. (WYMT) - For country music artist Jason Rowdy Cope, a lifelong mission for him began with addressing a problem. Its one of those things, man, that I just didnt believe it for a couple of days, Bayliss says. He will be missed. A RIFF on what makes the great outdoorsgreat. I couldnt have been more proud. Not sure if they are still on youtube, but the band was good enough to put on plenty of shows (not just a couple of songs) during lockdown, and always would put a great big smile on my face. I am 1, of 25 People Who Ordered, and Received The double Autographed TEST PRESSINGS of Old News, + an Autographed copy of the Original Artwork ! January 17, 2021 @ He played on multiple albums for Lindi Ortega, and produced her 2017 EP Til The Goin Gets Gone. This is a profound loss to music and humanity. January 21, 2021 @ They are my favorite band, one of my favorite artists, and I hope that they will put out new music again. 8:53 am, I have a signed copy of a release with an axe in a log. 7:23 pm, I am so sad to hear this I met Rowdy back around 2014-ish in Nashville. All material 2023 LEO Weekly, Louisville, KY. All rights reserved. He knew thousands of songs.. It seems like he prepared everybody to go on without him, Cobb says. 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 . No cause of death was given. According to Don Aaron, Jason Cope was found by a male friend who went to his home on Erin Ln. He would eat his meals correctly and he wasnt drinking. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. So sad to hear this news. We did a few co writes, went fishin a couple times, and I still have a cookbook he gave me, white trash cookin So youve heard the phrase People in glass houses shouldnt throw stones, right? Kenny Dubman 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. The Steel Woods announced on social media, "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. I mean people are really excited to be back out and seeing live music, and, and as are we to be out and playing it. It was like he was forcing it all out at one time. January 17, 2021 @ Hed always say the secret to success was keeping irons in the fire. He was the real damn deal. 6:22 pm. Widely known for their Southern rock style, Copes talent as a songwriter was well-respected within the country music community. All of the support has left OHandley thankful as she continues to reflect on her brothers legacy. On Whiskey Riff Raff, Steve Gazibara and Wes Langeler give an unfiltered and unapologetic take on country music, life, and all the craziness that comes with it. 3:38 am, 3 Autographed Lps Sit in My Man Cave.. Old News and 2 Test Pressings of the Same ! While 2021 has hardly started, its unfortunately reminiscent of 2020: taking cherished country music icons away much too soon. Everything was really in line. Some of it due and some of it probably undue. ' Johnson says, laughing. The event brought people from all over the country as they raised more than $10,000 in two days. I think thats what he would want everybody to know: that he didnt go out in a bad place.. Thoughts with the family and band. Unbelievable loss to the world of music. Mindfulness can help you manage anxiety and other negative emotions by . Our house isnt glass anymore. We take comfort in knowing he is in a better place now and his passion for music and art will live forever in the work he has left behind. Two years later, they followed it up withOld Newsin 2019. He came to me one evening and broke out a pint of whiskey. The band announced Copes death on social media with the statement: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. 9:21 pm. In early 2019 they released their latest record Old News to much critical acclaim. 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 . , Todd Pottinger It isnt about Cope, specifically, but its hard not to hear it as such when Bayliss mournfully sings, Ole buddy, ole pal/if I could call you up somehow/Id lie and tell you that Im getting by/without my best friend., I wasnt writing about any one person, but it is crazy that it just kind of flowed out of me way back then, Bayliss says of the song, which he wrote while Cope was still alive. This is a gut punch for me. January 20, 2021 @ So when we met and [Rowdy] brought the idea [of the Steel Woods], it was like music to my ears. Following his death in January, Copes group made visiting Eastern Kentucky a priority as they hosted events for the Jason Rowdy Cope Memorial Fund. The Steel Woods are the real deal- was lucky to see them in a small venue in London. Obviously my heart goes out to the family. 42 Comments. Hopefully I still will. Jason Rowdy Cope, co-founder and guitar player of country rock band The Steel Woods, passed away. Danny Cleary Besides this being Rowdys story of what he went through, and what you guys all went through as a band, and just the general idea. What do you most want people to take away from this album? "He was a natural bridge between feel and technique," says Cope's friend Jamey Johnson. Its hard to accept that hes gone. A country music artist with ties to Eastern Kentucky died due to diabetes complications in January, but his legacy lives on. Ive been off of social media for a bit and just ran into this news checking for potential dates for The Steel Woods. All rights reserved. The two met at a one-off gig in Nashville, and after a fishing retreat together, decided to give a new band a shot, hitting it off despite a 13-year age difference. On all three of those covers, as well as on Steel Woods fan favorites like Axe, Straw in the Wind, and Anna Lee (part of a multi-song murder narrative that concludes with the cinematic Cold on All of Your Stones), its Copes supple, emotional playing that is the through-line. January 17, 2021 @ I seen you conquer giants Jason and I watched you become one of the greatest forces in country music. 8:46 am, Daniele May his family and friends find comfort in knowing that Jason touched many lives in a positive way through his music. Ellen Foster And the band specifically had said they want to come back to Bell County. I will miss him. Heres what really grabbed me about his playing. 3:52 am, Met my friend I considered a brother at the tender age of 15 or so and during that time he would play that guitar every day for hours upon hours practicing and practicing at the time I never knew why he would rather go home and practice guitar runs, notes, chords, and bends.versus hanging out but later he would attend college for music in LA. The dude was like clockwork, Cobb says. Heartbroken. 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. "He was a natural bridge between feel and. He grew up in Black Mountain, NC. Cope also had played with Jamie Johnson for nine years and wrote with him. Go rest high on that mountain. He seemed like such a bright spirit. And of course he loved those haunted ringing minor chords and used them to maximum effect behind Wes Bayliss voice. 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. He was 42 years old. January 17, 2021 @ Dennis Williams The Steel Woods' Jason "Rowdy" Cope died in January, but his power-chord-meets-chicken-pickin' guitar style lives on with a posthumous album. Its an absolutely heartbreaking loss for the country/southern rock community. 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 !)