38 Special

38 Special

38 Special (also written .38 Special or Thirty-Eight Special) is an American rock band that was formed by neighborhood friends Don Barnes and Donnie Van Zant in 1974 in Jacksonville, Florida. The band's first two albums had a strong southern rock influence. By the early 1980s, 38 Special shifted to a more accessible arena rock style without abandoning its southern rock roots. This shift helped to usher in a string of successful albums and singles.

Their breakthrough hit was "Hold On Loosely" (1981). "Caught Up in You" (1982) and "If I'd Been the One" (1983) both hit No. 1 on Billboard magazine's Album Rock Tracks chart. "Back Where You Belong" (1984) continued the annual sequence of radio favorites. In 1985 they had another hit with "Teacher Teacher," written by Jim Vallance and Bryan Adams. The song climbed to #4 on the Billboard Top Tracks Chart / spent (10 weeks on the chart). Their last well known hit was "Second Chance" (1989) was a No. 1 hit on Billboard's adult contemporary chart.

In 2007, 38 Special was the opening act on Lynyrd Skynyrd and Hank Williams Jr.'s Rowdy Frynds Tour, and on September 27, 2008, they filmed a CMT Crossroads special with country singer Trace Adkins, performing both artists' hits from over the years. In 2009, 38 Special opened for REO Speedwagon and Styx as part of the "Can't Stop Rockin' Tour."

As of 2011, the lineup consists of Don Barnes, Donnie Van Zant, guitarist Danny Chauncey, bassist Larry Junstrom, keyboardist Bobby Capps and drummer Gary Moffatt.
Current members

    Donnie Van Zant (vocals, guitars) 1974–present
    Don Barnes (vocals, guitars, mandolin, keyboards, harmonica) 1974–1987, 1992–present
    Larry Junstrom (bass, guitar) 1977–present
    Danny Chauncey (guitars, backing vocals) 1987–present
    Bobby Capps (vocals, keyboards) 1991–present
    Gary Moffatt (drums, percussion) 1997–present

Past members

    Jeff Carlisi (guitars) 1974-1996
    Jack Grondin (drums, percussion) 1974-1991
    Steve Brookins (drums, percussion) 1974–1987
    Ken Lyons (bass) 1974–1977
    Carol Bristow (backing vocals) 1977-1987
    Dale Krantz (backing vocals) 1977-1979
    Nancy Henderson (backing vocals) 1980-1981
    Lu Moss (backing vocals) 1981-1984
    Steve McRay (keyboards, harmonica, backing vocals) 1986-1987
    Lynn Hineman (backing vocals) 1986-1987
    Max Carl (vocals, keyboards) 1987–1992
    Scott Meeder (drums, percussion) 1991-1992
    Scott Hoffman (drums, percussion) 1992–1997
    Donny Baldwin (drums, percussion - fill-in for Scott Hoffman) 1996