BRANSON, MO — Stevie Lee Woods & The NRL Band announce the release of their new single, “Welcome to the Southland,” out June 9, 2026. Recorded at the prestigious Mansion Studios in Branson — a room where legendary artists have laid down some of country music’s most enduring tracks — the single benefits from the production expertise of Chris Omartian, Chris Armstrong, and Stuart Epps, the latter known for his work with Elton John. The result is a summertime country rock anthem built for singalongs, road trips, and the kind of communal joy that makes a song into a staple.
Led by Stevie Lee Woods — star of the hit TV show and stage production Nashville Roadhouse Live — the band has built a reputation nationwide for authentic, high-energy performances rooted in family tradition and a genuine love of country music. “Welcome to the Southland” distills everything that makes the band special into one current, contemporary sound that appeals across generations.
The song captures the band’s family traditions and patriotic spirit, wrapped in a sound that feels immediate and modern while staying true to where they come from. Woods has been clear about what this track means to him as a performer.
“This is one song I love to perform live and really love for the audience to experience live,” he says. “There is so much energy and synergy that evolves with the audience as the song progresses — you can see them singing each line.”
That live chemistry is exactly what makes “Welcome to the Southland” feel destined to become a country rock classic — a song built not just to be heard, but to be sung along to, night after night, by audiences who feel like they’re part of it the moment the first line hits.
“Welcome to the Southland” follows closely on the heels of the band’s powerful cover single “Where I Find God,” released March 13, 2026 — a country gospel rendition led by Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Stevie Lee Woods, backed by his award-winning band and featuring background vocals from Devin Callahan. Also produced by Chris Omartian and Stuart Epps, that release showcased a different, deeply soulful side of the band’s range, and underscored the versatility that defines everything they make.
Together, the two releases paint a picture of a band moving confidently across the full spectrum of country music — from soul-stirring gospel reverence to high-energy summertime celebration.
