Bring It On

The Zoo Crew is cranking up the vibes at THE ZOO, spinning the high-energy track "Bring It On" by .38 Special from their 1981 album Wild-Eyed Southern Boys for all the Zoo Freaks out there. This song, a gritty closer to the album, captures the band's signature blend of Southern rock and hard-hitting hooks. According to interviews, "Bring It On" was crafted to embody the raw, rebellious spirit of the South, with its lyrics about a no-nonsense showdown and a muscular guitar riff that demands attention. In a 2016 chat with Ultimate Classic Rock, guitarist Don Barnes shared that the band aimed to shake off the "just another Southern rock band" label with this album, and "Bring It On" was a bold statement of their evolving sound, blending swampy roots with radio-ready punch.

Another tidbit about "Bring It On" comes from its production. The album, produced by Rodney Mills, who also worked with Lynyrd Skynyrd, was praised for its crisp sound. A fan on Discogs noted the mastering by Bob Ludwig as a key factor in the album’s standout quality, giving tracks like "Bring It On" a punchy, in-your-face edge. The song’s lyrics, painting a scene of Southern honor and barroom bravado, were co-written by Don Barnes, Jeff Carlisi, and Jim Peterik of Survivor fame. Peterik, in a Songfacts interview, mentioned how his collaboration with .38 Special on this album, including "Bring It On," was a creative high, fueled by their shared love for catchy, guitar-driven rock. Fans on .38 Special’s Facebook often cite the song as a live show staple, with its call-to-action energy getting crowds pumped.

.38 Special got their start in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1974, founded by vocalist Donnie Van Zant, the younger brother of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Ronnie Van Zant. The band’s early days were rooted in straight-up Southern rock, heavily influenced by Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers Band. Donnie, alongside guitarist Don Barnes and Jeff Carlisi, built a local following with their gritty live shows, playing juke joints and bars across the South. Their name, inspired by a .38 Special revolver, nodded to their tough, no-frills attitude. By the late 1970s, they signed with A&M Records, releasing their self-titled debut in 1977. While their first three albums earned regional buzz, it was Wild-Eyed Southern Boys that catapulted them to national fame, thanks to hits like "Hold On Loosely" and the polish of their AOR-infused sound.

The band’s journey wasn’t without challenges. Early on, they struggled to escape comparisons to Lynyrd Skynyrd, given Donnie’s lineage and their shared Jacksonville roots. But as Don Barnes explained in an Ultimate Classic Rock interview, they leaned into a more melodic, accessible style to stand out, a move that paid off with their 1980s chart success. Over the decades, .38 Special has kept the Southern rock flame alive, touring relentlessly and releasing new music, with their latest lineup still led by Don Barnes. Their official website, 38special.com, is the go-to spot for tour dates, merch, and news.

For Zoo Freaks wanting to connect with the band and fellow fans, .38 Special is active on social media. Check out their Facebook page for tour updates and fan discussions, their Instagram for behind-the-scenes photos, and their X account for quick updates and interactions. Fans also gather on dedicated spaces like the .38 Special Fans Facebook Group, where diehards share concert stories, rare vinyl finds, and love for tracks like "Bring It On." For deeper dives, fan-run sites like 38specialfan.com offer discographies, photos, and community forums to keep the Southern rock spirit alive.