It is no secret where Stevie Lee Woods draws his musical inspiration from. Throughout his career, the country artist has been drawn to music that captures life’s essence, and “Welcome To The Southland” is no exception. In this song, Stevie gives praise to everything that he grew up with in Bluefield, Virginia.
Even though “Welcome to the Southland” is a celebration of the South, Woods does not think that it is just for southerners. For him, the South is defined by people and the things that make people remember certain moments in their lives. “When I heard the song, it really resonated with me,” Woods says. “I grew up with the values of family, faith, and country, and that’s still who I am.”
Unlike most covers that attempt to replicate the exact rendition, Woods aimed to create a cover that would capture both his style and the song’s feeling. Working along with his production team, Woods fused the traditional country style with the touch of southern rock.
“I wanted people to get the original feeling still,” he explains. “At the same time, I wanted to give it a powerful Southern rock sound with a message.”
Inspired by Everyday Memories
The feelings that motivate Stevie Lee Woods in his musical performance stem from experiences common to most listeners. These included days spent playing in swimming pools, watching football matches in the fall, NASCAR races on Sundays, attending family dinners, Christmas celebrations, and spending time with longtime friends.
All these experiences informed his understanding of the song and contributed to the feeling of being at home that permeates through its lyrics. To Woods, “the Southland” means a way of life more than an actual place.
Looking Ahead While Honoring Tradition
Country music has remained relevant due to the fact that people still love listening to songs that are authentic, according to Stevie Lee Woods. He believes there is a need to have a story behind the music rather than just focusing on following any trend.
“People want more down-to-earth music that makes them feel connected,” Woods explained. “People want to feel like they belong somewhere.”
This concept is something that has been reflected in Woods’ latest works and is also evident in his single, “Welcome To The Southland.” The single comes after a busy period for Woods, where he has produced several singles. It also comes during a significant phase of Woods’ life as he’s inducted into the North American Country Music Association International Hall of Fame. For Woods, the induction is another reminder to continue making music that reflects his personality.
As more and more people listen to “Welcome To The Southland”, he hopes that they will get the same feeling he got while recording the song: the feeling of being at home, among family, and tradition.
“Y’all come back now, ya hear,” Woods joked. “I hope people get the sense of home, family, and togetherness that this song is all about.”
Listen to “Welcome To The Southland” below: