Preacher Stone Talk New Album, 2026 UK Tour And More
Words by Glenn Sargeant
Feature Image Photo Credit: Bobby Carter/Blink Two Photography
Legendary USA southern rock ‘n’ rollers Preacher Stone are thrilled to announce their highly anticipated gritty and profound new album ‘By The Horns’ for release Friday 17th October 2025 on CD/vinyl, all good digital platforms and available to pre-order now direct from the band. They kindly chatted to us about the album, 2026 UK Tour and more:
Who is in Preacher Stone, how did you meet and what do you play?
Preacher Stone is:
Simply put, we’re a no-nonsense or frills, ass kicking rock band from North Carolina USA! Myself Ronnie Riddle on lead vocals, the killer Ben Robinson on lead guitar, or awesome new guitarist Darrell Whitt, lord of the low end Jim Bolt on bass and the governor of the backbeat Wyatt on drums!.
What is your earliest musical memory?
Hearing my parents sing gospel music with my aunts, uncles, and cousins, I grew up around a lot of great music and musicians.
When did you begin songwriting?
I always wanted to be in a band, so I was learning guitar in my early teens. I asked my older sister why there were names in parenthesis beside the song titles. She said, “That’s who wrote the song.” I thought, “Damn. Now I have to learn how to write songs.” I started then and I never wanted to be in a cover band. I began by writing a lot of bad songs until I got better at it, hahaa!
You have your new album ‘By The Horns’ released on 17th October 2025. How did you want to approach the making of the album?
We wanted to make a raucous, unapologetic rock and roll record, like we grew up listening to in the 70’s. Big guitars, big drums, and real vocals. We wanted to capture the spirit of the band which it definitely has!
Where did you record the album and who produced it?
Glenn Tabor produced it at GAT III Studios here in North Carolina. He’s worked with a lot of cool bands over the years and is our number 1 go-to guy.
Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?
The process was a lot of fun, it was challenging at times and Glenn really pushed us hard. As far as funny events, we talked about making a compilation of everyone’s reactions to their own mistakes and including it on the record, but the language would be too vile! We were collectively pursuing the attitude and performance quality needed to make a great record. The times we fell short and had to go again, the emotions tend to come out in rather hilarious manners. Honestly, we’re a fun bunch to hang around. We take what we do seriously, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously.
Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?
Glenn used microphone techniques that gave us a big sound. The rhythm tracks were recorded live to give the tracks energy. Bolt played a bass that belonged to Sting on ‘Blessing and a Curse’ so there is some legendary mojo right there!
Which of your new album tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?
‘By the Horns’ and our latest single ‘Think By Now’ are the happiest. ‘Come What May’ is the angriest. ‘The Devil You Know’ and ‘Blessing and a Curse’ are the most reflective.
Was it a difficult album to write?
Not at all. We all brought ideas for songs into rehearsal and worked them out. There are songs on this record that originated from each of the band members. The way we worked on these songs was very practical…someone brings in an idea, and everyone creates their part, makes suggestions on how it should go, and we work on it until we’re satisfied. The goal is for the song to be better than the original idea. You need to have an open mind about your idea, it’s a fun process.
Who designed the album artwork?
Our good buddy Mark Allison in Scotland, he’s worked with Gun, Marco Mendoza, Dead Daisies. He really took our ideas, listened and just took flight with his work and has been super to work with.
You have released the new single ‘Think By Now’. What was the story/inspiration behind the track?
‘Think By Now’ is about how you take chances and do crazy things when you’re young, and then you grow out of it as you get older. I just realized when we were working on this song that I haven’t grown out of it. I still love attempting the impossible, taking chances, doing somewhat dangerous things. Like the song says, “I have lived and I have sinned…and I’ll do it all again.”
Is the single accompanied by a visualiser or video?
Yes, we have a really cool lyric video which 100% reflects the meaning and theme of the song, our go-to guy Andy Pilkington of Very Metal Art who we’ve worked with before put it together. We only work with people who get us 100%!
Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?
I am from Landis, NC! Landis in five words: “Small, southern, neighbourly, friendly, HOME!”
How do you look after your voices?
The most important factors in keeping my voice are sleep and hydration. I try not to stress too much about the condition of my voice. There’s always underlying stress when you do several dates in a row, but stress makes it worse, you have to manage it. I have a collection of remedies that range from hot sauce, crisps, aloe vera juice, to a sip of whiskey. Some nights you have to do your best with what the good Lord gives you
Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2025/2026?
Yes, We have our By The Horns UK tour scheduled at the end of January and we can’t wait to play in the UK again! We have 10 dates, including playing in London for the first time at Cart and Horses where Iron Maiden was born. We’re up in Scotland, the midlands and our second home Bristol where an old relative of mine is from. We’re also playing Planet Rock Winter’s End in Wales – we’ve heard so many good things about their festivals from friends who have played them. Get your tickets from our website www.preacherstoneband.com now folks and we’ll see y’all there!
What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?
I hope that we have entertained the people who came to see us. They are the reason that we do what we do. I also hope that the audience and the band connect in some way, that we share a moment and make a memory.
Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?
I love Shure SM 58 microphones, Atlas mic stands, Sennheiser in ear monitors, Gibson Guitars, and Blackstar Amplification who we are blessed with an endorsement deal with.
You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?
Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried”. It’s a powerfully honest view of the Vietnam war from the perspective of a soldier. The sounds of the late 60’s and early 70’s are some of favorite. Incorporating those sounds and influences to create a backdrop for such a moving story would be a wonderful challenge!
Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?
I have a wide spectrum of influences that include John Prine, Charlie Daniels, Phil Lynott, Ronnie Van Zant, Jackson Browne, Paul Rodgers, Dobie Gray, Dan McCafferty, Malcom Young…I could go on for days! I would recommend people listen to The Georgia Thunderbolts, our UK brothers that we’ll be touring with Revenant, and D-A-D!
What makes Preacher Stone happy and what makes you unhappy?
We’re a happy bunch. Getting to do what we do makes us happy! As far as what makes us unhappy…traffic jams and having no air conditioning or ice on tour!
Feature Image Photo Credit: Bobby Carter/Blink Two Photography
Preacher Stone’s new album ‘By The Horns’ is released on Friday 17th October 2025 on CD/vinyl, all good digital platforms and available to pre-order now direct from the band HERE
In addition, the band will embark on a 2026 UK Tour with special guests Revenant (Except Planet Rock’s Winter’s End 2026):
January 28 – Faversham – The Old Brewery Store
January 29 – London – Cart and Horses
January 30 – Winchester – Railway Inn
January 31 – St Austell – St Austell Band Club
February 1 – Trecco Bay – Planet Rock Winter’s End*
February 3 – Edinburgh – Bannermans
February 4 – Glasgow – Ivory Blacks
February 5 – Newcastle – Trillians
February 6 – Nottingham – The Old Cold Store
February 7 – Birmingham – Asylum 2
February 8 – Bristol – The Louisiana
*Preacher Stone only
Official Website: https://preacherstoneband.com/
