Fresh off winning the 2025 IBMA New Artist of the Year award and making their celebrated Grand Ole Opry debut, Red Camel Collective is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about acts in modern bluegrass. Formed from members of Junior Sisk's touring band, the group has built remarkable momentum with a chart-topping debut album, captivating live performances, and a signature blend of stellar musicianship and heartfelt vocals.
Now, as they prepare for the release of their sophomore album, the North Carolina-based ensemble is turning heads once again with their spirited new single, "Walk Out In The Rain," a fresh take on the Bob Dylan-penned classic that showcases Heather Berry Mabe's commanding vocal presence. In this exclusive interview, Red Camel Collective discusses their recent success, the story behind their band name, their connection to the song, and what fans can expect from the next chapter of their journey.
Listen to their new song here.
Q: Congratulations on your recent IBMA New Artist of the Year win. How has that recognition impacted Red Camel Collective, and what has the journey been like since your debut album's success?
We were so honored to receive the New Artist of the Year Award at IBMA, especially in a category of such incredible artists. I don't think any of us could believe that we actually won.
I believe the award helped get the attention of some great venues that we have booked. I can't help but think that the award helped play a big role in us making our Grand Ole Opry Debut in February, which was such an honor for us.
We are so grateful for the success we have seen and for everyone who has played a roll in that success along the way.
Q: For listeners who may be new to the band, how did Red Camel Collective come together, and what inspired the name that pays tribute to Junior Sisk's legacy?
We all came together as part of Junior Sisk's touring band. RCC started out as a side venture. We couldn't have imagined that the band would take off the way it has. We've decided to pursue RCC full time and will be playing our last booking with Junior midsummer. We are so excited for the future and grateful for our past, too. We wish Junior all the best with his new touring band as he pushes toward retirement in 2027.
Our name comes from a song that Junior released in 2009 called The Man In Red Camels, written by Timmy Massey and Rick Pardue. Red Camels is a vintage clothing brand known especially for their overalls.
Q: "Walk Out In The Rain" has an interesting history, from Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton to bluegrass interpretations by Ronnie and Rob McCoury. What attracted you to this song, and why did it feel like the right fit for Red Camel Collective?
I've been a big fan of this song, especially Ronnie and Rob McCoury's version, for years. There's a live video of the Del McCoury band performing it on YouTube that I must have watched a hundred times or more.
When the time came to begin gathering songs for our upcoming album, I presented this tune to the band and told them how much I loved it and how much I would love to sing it. I'm so glad they agreed to cut it because I love how it turned out. Its super fun to perform live too.
Q: Heather, your vocal performance brings a confident, playful edge to the track. How did you approach interpreting the song and making it your own while honoring its history?
I think that really happened organically. We drew inspiration for our version from Ronnie and Rob McCoury's, but the instrumentation sounds different because we are playing the song in a different key that suits a female lead singer. My vocal style is also different from the McCoury's, so that gives the song a little different flavor as well.
My approach to the vocal performance on this one was literally just born out out of my love for the tune. BONUS: I'm super proud to have the opportunity to give a nod to one of my favorite male singers of all time, the incredible Ronnie McCoury.
Q: Red Camel Collective is known for blending strong musicianship with powerful vocal performances. What do each of the members bring to the band's sound, and how has your chemistry evolved over the years?
Tony's banjo playing is so tasteful and his tone is the best in the business. John's mandoline tone, his timing, and impressive leads are simply incredible. Curt's bass playing is so strong and spot on. These guys are all the best of the best and I feel SO blessed and honored to get to make music with them. There's no one out there I would rather be in a band with than them.
I feel like we have gotten to know each other so well as friends and as band mates that we are able to help each other out without even having to ask. We are all there for each other, support each other, and work together as one unit, on stage and off.
Q: You're currently working on your sophomore album while maintaining a busy touring schedule. What can fans expect from the next chapter of Red Camel Collective, and are there any upcoming projects you're particularly excited about?
We are so excited for our upcoming album! We have carefully selected original tunes and covers that we love and believe in. I'm super proud of the mixture we were able to achieve. I've loved adding these songs to our live performance one by one as the singles are released.
I feel that folks can expect to see us enjoying our journey, growing as a band, and "finding our way home."
As far as upcoming projects, we always have ideas that we are tossing around. Folks will just have to stay tuned to see what we have in the works.
