LISTEN: Shenandoah Teams Up With Jason Aldean And Luke Bryan For A Modern Spin On Classic Hit, ‘Sunday In The South’

Shenandoah is taking fans back to 1989 when they released the third single from their Road Not Taken album, “Sunday In The South.” Today, the No. 1 hit that remains an essential part of the group’s live shows has been re-released with the addition of modern hitmakers, Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan.

The star-studded collaboration was recorded at the historic Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, which is home to Shenandoah founding members Raybon and Mike McGuire. Each of the three artists tapped into their deep country roots and appreciation for the beloved era of the genre to reimagine the song for a new generation of fans, while still maintaining the nostalgic feeling. 

Both of the Georgia-bred vocalists exude a set of gritty, laid-back vocals that perfectly blends with Shenandoah’s classic sound, thus creating a feel-good rendition of the narrative that effortlessly celebrates the simplicity of the southern lifestyle. 

“Recording one of the staples in our set list with a couple of country boys like Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan couldn’t have been a better fit,” says Shenandoah lead singer Marty Raybon. “We are honored that they would be part of such a meaningful song to us. They sure did carry the mail!”

The same comforting energy drives through the new rendition, just as it did when it was first released. Listeners are transported to the most sacred day of the week, when the entirety of the small-town community heads to church to say a prayer, followed by a home-cooked dinner.

“Mill worker houses lined up in a row/ Another southern Sunday morning blow/ Beneath the steeple all the people have begun/ Shakin’ hands with the man who grips the gospel gun/ While the quiet prayer, the smell of dinner on the ground/ Heals up the morning air, ain’t nothin’ sweeter around/ I can almost hear my mama pray: “Oh lord forgive us when we doubt”/ Another sacred Sunday in the south,” they take turns singing.

While illustrating this scene, the country singers make sure to capture other highlights of living in a small community where everyone knows each other, like the memories made in the barber shop and words of wisdom from the “old folks.”

The tune comes to an end as the sun sets on the town, leaving a stunning view of all the lit houses when the quiet takes over. 

Bryan and Aldean come together with the GRAMMY®, ACM and CMA winning to deliver the closing verse, “I can feel the evening sun go down/ And all the lights in the houses one by one go out / Softly in the distance nothing stirs about/ And the night is filled with the sound of a whipporwil/ On a Sunday in the south.”

Today’s version of “Sunday In The South” was produced by GRAMMY® winning engineer Noah Gordon with Bryan’s vocals courtesy of Jeff and Jody Stevens and Aldean’s vocals courtesy of Mickey Jack Cones.

“Sunday in the South” with Aldean and Bryan marks yet another remaining Shenandoah classic, following the new version of their smash hit, “Two Dozen Roses” with Luke Combs. The collaboration with the North Carolina native rose to No. 1 on the All Genre iTunes chart, No. 1 on the Country iTunes chart and amassed over 20 million global streams.

Two Dozen Roses Tour

The band is currently making their way to cities across the country as part of their Two Dozen Roses Tour 2024. This 50-city trek kicked off in May and runs through November 21.