The Cadillac Three

The Cadillac Three

The Cadillac Three are a Nashville-based country and southern rock group active since 2011. The band is made up of Jaren Johnston and Neil Mason; earlier line-ups also include Kelby Ray, and the group originally performs under the name The Cadillac Black.

Background

Johnston handles lead vocals and guitar, while Mason plays drums and sings. Ray contributes lap steel guitar, bass guitar and vocals. All three were previously in American Bang, which also includes Ben Brown, and Mason and Brown had been in Llama before that.

Recordings and label work

The band signs to Big Machine Records in 2013 and reissues its debut album, which first appears in 2012 under the title The Cadillac Black. Their first release under the Cadillac Three name includes a version of “Days of Gold”.

The group’s first single is “The South”, released in late 2013. It includes guest vocals from Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley and Mike Eli of Eli Young Band, and reaches the Country Airplay chart. The band later releases Bury Me in My Boots in 2016, Legacy in 2017, Country Fuzz in 2020, Tabasco & Sweet Tea in 2020, and The Years Go Fast in 2023.

Songwriting and collaborations

Outside the band, Johnston writes songs for Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Steven Tyler, Dallas Smith and Jake Owen. Between 2011 and 2013 he co-writes “You Gonna Fly” for Keith Urban, “Southern Girl” for Tim McGraw and “Days of Gold” for Jake Owen; Mason also co-writes the latter.

Touring and appearances

The band charts three singles across the Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay lists. It also appears on the television series Nashville in 2014, performing “The South”. In 2015 the group plays Download Festival after travelling from the United States to the UK, using Black Stone Cherry’s equipment when its own gear does not arrive in time.

Broadcast work

In 2021 the band presents its own Planet Rock radio show, Garage Radio, as part of its 10th anniversary activity.