NASHVILLE (KFSM) — Nearly two months after Backroad Anthem lost their co-lead singer Craig Strickland in a boating accident, the band spoke out about their decision to continue performing under the same band name.
The band mates spoke to Rolling Stone magazine about their band’s journey after Strickland’s death during an article published on Monday (Feb. 22).
Band members said they made the decision to pursue a future as Backroad Anthem mainly because it is what Strickland would have wanted.
“For the most part it’s knowing that this is what [Craig] would want us to do for sure,” Toby Freeman told Rolling Stone. “He would not want us to stop. He would not want us to take one second to think about it, and we never did, honestly. We just carried on.”
Freeman, who was the other co-lead singer, will be taking on the role of the band’s lead vocalist. He told the magazine that making music is how the band –which also includes Eric Dysart, fiddle; Josh Bryant, lead electric guitar; Brandon Robold, bass guitar/vocals; and Isaac Senty, drums — will keep going forward.
“We’re all doing music to try to keep us going,” Freeman told Rolling Stone. “All the family support, all the fan support really helps too, but I think the main thing is just being really busy and staying really busy with the music. Because it’s that great reminder of everything he strived hard for.”
Strickland disappeared while duck hunting with his friend Chase Moreland on Dec. 28 when their boat capsized. Their disappearance prompted a week-long search before Strickland was discovered on the shore, after dying of apparent hypothermia.
