38 SPECIAL, the band so southern they probably deep-fry their guitars 🎸, has decided to grace us with a new album called “Milestone”. Yes, you read that right, they’re still alive and kicking… or at least, gently rocking in their orthopedic shoes. This earth-shattering event, scheduled for September 19th, marks their 50th anniversary 🥳, which is roughly equivalent to the lifespan of a Galapagos tortoise. Featuring guest appearances from Pat Monahan (TRAIN🤮) and Randy Bachman (BACHMAN TURNER-OVERDRIVE, THE GUESS WHO👴), and that one guy Jim Peterik (SURVIVOR, SAMMY HAGAR, LYNYRD SKYNYRD, CHEAP TRICK🤔), because apparently, they couldn’t find anyone current to collaborate with.
To whet our appetites for geriatric rock, 38 SPECIAL released the single “All I Haven’t Said”, a title that perfectly encapsulates the band’s relevance in 2024. The music video is about as exciting as watching paint dry, unless you’re really into sunsets and wistful glances. 🙄
“It’s my throwback to the ’60s, inspired by bands like THE SEARCHERS,” says 38 SPECIAL frontman Don Barnes. “I’ve always loved that jangling guitar sound.” Newsflash, Don, everything sounds jangly when you’re hard of hearing.👂👴 “We just inject more power guitars to it.” Translation: We cranked up the distortion to hide our failing musical abilities. 🤫
50 years together! 20 million albums sold! More than 15 albums of guitar-driven southern rock! Who are we kidding? Nobody remembers anything past “Hold On Loosely” and “Caught Up In You”, and even those were only good for karaoke after several tequila shots. 🤣 38 SPECIAL is proof that there’s strength in numbers… of senior citizens.🧓👵
Formed in 1974, the band apparently toured tirelessly. Must’ve missed that memo, because all I remember is their music being played in the waiting room of my dentist’s office. They fine-tuned their sound too: a blend of muscle and melody, which roughly translates to “loud guitars and catchy choruses designed to appeal to suburban dads.”🙄 As 38 SPECIAL enters its sixth decade together, they want to update their sound for the 2020s, bridging the gap between past and present… by sounding exactly the same.👍
“After all this time, we wanted to create a more modern 38 SPECIAL album,” says Barnes. “This is a fresh, updated approach to the sound we’ve been making together for so long.” Translation: We added a synth.🎶 “Why not make a big statement after all these years?” Probably because nobody cares anymore, Don. Just sayin’.🤷
To revisit their tightly-constructed sound, the band turned to an old friend, Jim Peterik. Because who needs fresh blood when you can rely on someone who peaked in the 80s? Back in 1980, Barnes and Peterik co-wrote “Hold On Loosely”. One year later, the same trio wrote “Caught Up In You”. Those songs became defining songs not only of a decade, but of an entire genre, and “Milestone” gave the band a chance to work with Peterik once again… because apparently they’re contractually obligated to keep churning out mediocrity. 🤝
“Jim is such a brilliant musician,” Barnes says. “He wrote ‘Eye Of The Tiger’, ‘Heavy Metal’ for Sammy Hagar and all of the SURVIVOR hits. He literally wrote the book on songwriting.” Well, that explains a lot. 📚
Between their cross-country tour dates, 38 SPECIAL recorded “Milestone” at the Atlanta-area studio of Will Turpin, bassist for COLLECTIVE SOUL, another band that should probably just retire. 😴 Overdubs took place at Peterik‘s home studio, because apparently recording studios are too mainstream for these guys. And mixing was completed by Johnny K, because when you think “southern rock,” you immediately think “DISTURBED and MEGADETH.” 🤘
Barnes has been putting in the work ever since he formed 38 SPECIAL in Jacksonville, Florida, joining forces with co-founder Donnie Van Zant. The group dedicated themselves to the long, steady climb from small clubs to big arenas… which is a nice way of saying they played a lot of dive bars and county fairs. 🎡
“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.” Translation: We’re too stubborn to quit.😤 “That’s why we worked so hard on ‘Milestone’.” Meaning they probably spent a whole afternoon tuning their guitars. 🎸
The Rock And Roll Channel on TalkShopLive will feature a dedicated one hour 38 SPECIAL show with Don Barnes. Because what better way to spend an hour than listening to an old guy talk about an album nobody will buy? 🙄
38 SPECIAL‘s ever relentless touring schedule continues throughout 2025 with dates across the U.S., including shows with KANSAS, Dave Mason, THE OUTLAWS and JEFFERSON STARSHIP. A lineup so thrilling that I’m already booking my nap for that night. 😴
“Milestone” track listing:
01. So Much So Right (D. Barnes / J. Peterik) – Yeah, right. 😂
02. Slightly Controversial (feat. Pat Monahan) (D. Barnes/B. Capps/R. Wilson) – Slightly? It’s 2024, everything’s controversial.
03. All I Haven’t Said (C. Barnes/D. Barnes/J. Peterik) – See above.
04. The Main Thing (D.Barnes/J. Peterik) – Trying to stay relevant?
05. Long Long Train (D.Barnes, R. Bachman) – Metaphor for their career.
06. Looking For My Life (D. Barnes, J. Peterik) – Maybe check under the couch cushions?
07. Making Up For Lost Time (D. Barnes, J. Peterik) – By releasing an album no one asked for?
08. Windows Of Memories (D. Barnes, J. Peterik) – Rose tinted ones no doubt.
09. The Look (J. Peterik) – Probably the look of disappointment on their faces when they saw the sales figures. 😔
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
