On New Year’s Eve, 38 Special will ring in 2026 as part of Nexstar’s Coast-to-Coast Countdown, reminding viewers why the band’s music has endured for five decades.
38 Special’s 50-Year Journey
Founded in 1976, the band began in a leaky shack in the woods with no running water and a roof that could not keep the rain out. The members practiced at night after their day jobs, and one night they lost the key to their door. A fellow member suggested shooting the lock off with a .38 special, and the name stuck. “We didn’t have a name for the band, and we had our first little gig down in Gainesville, Florida. Just a dirty little club, you know, and we thought, well, we’ll just call it 38 special for now, and then we’ll come up with something better later,” Barnes said.
The Crowd’s Voice
When 38 Special takes the stage, the sound engineer often has to lower the vocals because the audience is louder than the band itself. “Sometimes I have to turn you up louder than the crowd,” Barnes said. “Because they’re singing louder than you are.”
Songs as Life Chapters
Barnes sees each song as a chapter of life. “You see these guys, and they’re like, ‘That’s my favorite song,’ you’re like, dude, you weren’t even born with that song came out,” Barnes said. “All those songs kind of mark parts of our lives,” he added.
Milestone: New Music After Two Decades
In September 2025, 38 Special released Milestone, their first album of all-new music in over two decades. The record is a risk for the band, which has always honored long-time fans while also reaching a new generation. “You’re kind of damned if you do, damned if you don’t,” Barnes admits. “But we tried to create a new 38 Special.”
The Risk of a New Sound
The band’s frontman explains that creating new music comes from the heart, and listeners bring it into their own lives. “We started out with nothing but bold determination to make our own history and to endure. Looking back now, it has been our greatest pride to have persevered and attained that level of success and longevity. For us, it’s the ultimate validation,” Barnes said.
Passion and Conviction on Stage
Every show is built like a ride: short bursts of hits stacked back-to-back, a moment of relief, then back up again. “We play them with just as much passion and conviction as the first time because we see what it’s doing,” Barnes said.
Determination and Validation
Barnes reflects on the band’s journey, noting that the music has become part of listeners’ lives. “We started out with nothing but bold determination to make our own history and to endure. Looking back now, it has been our greatest pride to have persevered and attained that level of success and longevity. For us, it’s the ultimate validation,” he said.
A Global Audience
Keyboardist Bobby Capps recalls performing in Panama, where no one spoke English, yet every lyric was louder than the band itself. The experience highlighted how the music transcends language barriers.
Coast-to-Coast Countdown and Broadcast Details
Catch the Coast-to-Coast Countdown to 2026 on the station’s free CTV app (Roku, Apple TV, Fire) beginning at 8 pm PT/11 pm ET on New Year’s Eve. The pre-show starts for participating markets at 5 pm PT/8 pm ET exclusively on CTV. The lineup features Foreigner, Cheap Trick, Styx, Mac McAnally, Kevin Cronin Band, UB-40, The Marshall Tucker Band, 38 Special, and Bri Bagwell.
Key Takeaways
- 38 Special celebrates 50 years with a new album and a New Year’s Eve performance.
- The band’s legacy is built on passionate shows and a connection with fans across generations.
- The Coast-to-Coast Countdown showcases a lineup of classic rock acts, including 38 Special.
With decades of hits behind them and no plans of slowing down, 38 Special is taking that energy back on the road with tour dates scheduled across the country, giving fans old and new the chance to be part of the ride once again.
