Jack and Andy Bishop: Sharing a Passion for Music

Before they were selling out arenas and winning awards, the Red Clay Strays were just a group of South Alabama musicians trying to get anyone to pay attention. In this episode of Dealing The Mobile Sound, host Eric Erdman sits down with Red Clay Strays bassist Andrew Bishop and his father, Jack Bishop, for a conversation about the band's early days, the friendships that started it all, and the unique sound that helped them get past "level one." Andrew shares how a simple invitation to "come jam" in Citronelle changed the course of his life, how the band developed its high-energy style playing noisy bars on the Gulf Coast, and why their first show as the Red Clay Strays felt like the moment they became a real rock-and-roll band. “We owe so much to Mobile for showing up.”  Jack offers a father's perspective, recalling the first time he realized Andrew had a musical gift, and the moment he knew the Strays had something different. He explains why having a sound all your own is the key to longevity and says, “Take all your favorite songs and all your favorite artists and put them in the blender. Pour out a cup, and that's the Red Clay Strays.” The conversation also explores growing up around music, Andrew's surprising dream of becoming a police officer like his father, and the joy of watching your children carry forward a love of music.