Wild-Eyed Southern Boys

Wild-Eyed Southern Boys is the fourth studio album by American Southern rock band .38 Special, released on January 3, 1981, by A&M Records. The album spawned the hit single "Hold On Loosely", which remains a staple track of classic rock, as well as the group's discography. The album reached No. 23 on the Canadian charts. A remastered CD, with four bonus live tracks, was reissued by Rock Candy Records in September 2023.

Critical reception

Record World said that the single "Fantasy Girl" has a "smooth vocal and a virtuoso guitar display."

Track listing

1. "Hold On Loosely" (Don Barnes, Jim Peterik, Jeff Carlisi) – 4:39
2. "First Time Around" (Barnes, Carlisi, Larry Steele, Donnie Van Zant) – 3:59
3. "Wild-Eyed Southern Boys" (Peterik) – 4:18
4. "Back Alley Sally" (Carlisi, Van Zant) – 3:11
5. "Fantasy Girl" (Carlisi, Peterik) – 4:06
6. "Hittin' and Runnin'" (Barnes, Peterik) – 4:55
7. "Honky Tonk Dancer" (Barnes, Steele, Van Zant) – 4:59
8. "Throw Out the Line" (Barnes, Carlisi, Van Zant) – 3:45
9. "Bring It On" (Carlisi, Steele, Van Zant) – 5:38

Personnel

• Donnie Van Zant – lead vocals (2–4, 7–9), backing vocals
• Don Barnes – rhythm and lead guitar, piano (3), lead vocals (1, 3, 5, 6), backing vocals
• Jeff Carlisi – lead and rhythm guitar, steel guitar
• Larry Junstrom – bass
• Steve Brookins – drums
• Jack Grondin – drums

Additional personnel

• Steve McRay – piano (4, 6, 7)
• Terry Emery – percussion
• Carol Bristow – backing vocals
• Lu Moss – backing vocals
• Carol Veto – backing vocals

Production

• Rodney Mills – producer, engineer
• Greg Quesnel – engineer
• Bob Ludwig – mastering at Masterdisk (New York City, New York)
• Chuck Beeson – art direction, design
• Mick McGinty – illustrations
• Willardson & White, Inc. – illustrations
• Paddy Reynolds – sleeve photography

References