38 Special

38 Special is an American rock band originating from Jacksonville, Florida, formed by neighborhood friends Don Barnes and Donnie Van Zant. Donnie Van Zant's older brother, Ronnie Van Zant, served as lead singer for Lynyrd Skynyrd, establishing a connection to the Southern rock scene. The original lineup included Van Zant and Barnes on vocals and guitar, Jeff Carlisi on guitar, Ken Lyons on bass, Jack Grondin on drums, and Steve Brookins on drums. The band opened for acts such as Peter Frampton, Foghat, and Kiss before signing with A&M Records, which assigned Dan Hartman to produce their debut album, "38 Special."

In the early 1980s, 38 Special transitioned to a guitar-driven arena rock style while maintaining Southern rock influences. Barnes assumed more lead vocal duties, contributing to a series of successful albums and singles. Engineer Rodney Mills and Survivor co-founder Jim Peterik became frequent songwriting collaborators, shaping the band's evolving sound. The fourth album, "Wild-Eyed Southern Boys," marked a commercial breakthrough, achieving platinum status and producing the Top 40 hit "Hold On Loosely." The subsequent album, "Special Forces," generated a Top Ten single with "Caught Up in You." The band continued its momentum with "Tour de Force," which included Top 20 hits "If I'd Been the One" and "Back Where You Belong."

38 Special achieved nine Top 40 hits between 1981 and 1991, beginning with "Hold On Loosely." A lineup change before the release of "Rock & Roll Strategy" led to a lighter, more pop-oriented sound, resulting in the Adult Contemporary chart-topper "Second Chance." The group also had a hit with "Teacher, Teacher" from the soundtrack of the film "Teachers," written by Jim Vallance and Bryan Adams. The band appeared on CMT Crossroads with country singer Trace Adkins, performing songs from both artists.

Following Donnie Van Zant's retirement, Barnes became the primary songwriter and vocalist. Barnes continues to lead the band, joined by Bobby Capps, Gary Moffatt, Barry Dunaway, and Jerry Riggs. The group returned to the studio to record "Milestone," an album commemorating their 50th anniversary, featuring collaborations with Randy Bachman of BTO, Pat Monahan of Train, and Jim Peterik of Survivor. "Milestone" represents 38 Special's first studio album in more than two decades, highlighting the band's blend of Southern rock, arena rock, and melodic hooks.

38 Special continues to perform in more than 100 cities annually, delivering their signature Southern rock sound to audiences nationwide. The band's Gold and Platinum album awards and enduring radio presence reflect their influence in the rock and Southern rock genres, with sales exceeding 20 million. 38 Special remains recognized for evolving their sound while maintaining the energetic spirit that defined their origins.