The Georgia Thunderbolts announce hiatus
The Georgia Thunderbolts have announced a hiatus from touring and recording, marking the pause with the release of their new single “Overlord.”
The Rome, Georgia-based Southern rock band said the decision follows several demanding years of touring and recording, combined with mounting financial pressures and personal challenges. The band cited long travel days, rising costs, and time away from steady work as key factors, along with vocalist TJ Lyle suffering a stroke just before the group’s planned first UK tour. Lyle has since fully recovered, but his health ultimately had to take priority at the time.
“Overlord” serves as the group’s final release for the foreseeable future. Discussing the song’s message, Lyle said, “Throughout history, we’ve seen people in power try to achieve their goals, and often it’s done in the wrong way. This song sheds some light on that subject. There is no need to belittle or harm anyone. We were put on this earth to love and support each other as brothers and sisters. Recently, it seems we’ve gone our separate ways from that. Let’s get back to love, respect, and care. Seek humanity, not greed. Seek love, not war. Always seek love.”
Formed by school friends, the band released their self-titled debut EP through Mascot Records in August 2020. The lineup consists of TJ Lyle on vocals, Zach Everett on bass and guitar, Bristol Perry on drums, Riley Couzzourt on guitar, and Logan Tolbert on guitar. The release quickly brought attention, with Rolling Stone describing the band as proof that “Southern rock continues to thrive in the 21st century,” while Classic Rock referred to the group as the genre’s “new heroes.”
The Georgia Thunderbolts went on to tour extensively across the United States and Europe, sharing stages with artists including Black Stone Cherry, Deep Purple, ZZ Top, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Allman Betts Band, Blackberry Smoke, The Outlaws, and The Kentucky Headhunters. During that time, the band released two full-length albums on Mascot Records, Can We Get A Witness (2021) and Rise Above It All (2024).
Reflecting on the band’s journey, guitarist Riley Couzzourt said, “I’ve always said and always will say… ‘if it all ended tomorrow boys we can’t complain one bit.’ We have been blessed beyond measure and have done more and seen more than 90% of your average humans with this band. I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with any other four guys in the world.”
Couzzourt also praised the group’s longtime manager and mentor Richard Young, adding, “He did amazing things for us in the industry, but as a person, friend, family member.. I wouldn’t mind sitting around listening to him tell stories and hanging out with him all day. (One of my favorite parts of our journey). My other favorite part of the musical journey was the fans. You meet people far and wide, some that you have similarities and some that you do not. It was always fun just getting out mingling after the shows, and it’s amazing how many down-to-earth people you have out there.”
Drummer Bristol Perry echoed those sentiments while addressing fans directly. “What a ride it’s been! Different countries, different states, and all the fans who have stood by us the whole way! We will never be able to thank them enough for sticking with us. The Strykers are the best!! Touring has its challenges for all of us; the world around you still revolves, and real life and its demands take their toll. We’ve loved every minute being on stage and playing our music for you; we will miss it for sure. Please understand this was a very hard decision for us to take a break from touring. We want to thank all the bands and crews we met that are now our brothers from the road. We appreciate all the help and support from our manager, Richard Young, and our label, Mascot Records. My bandmates and I never knew how this journey would go, and it certainly exceeded the expectations of 5 guys from rural Georgia. We have been blessed. We love you all!”
In a closing statement, the band said, “Though our futures may be uncertain, as we know life’s changes can bring. It’s wonderful to see that Mascot Records’ belief in our music is still upheld with the release of our single Overlord. We’d like to express our undying love, appreciation, and affection to all who have ridden along on this wonderful journey. God bless you all. Thanks for the memories.”
While the hiatus does not mark an end to The Georgia Thunderbolts, the band emphasized that the decision reflects the need to prioritize family and personal responsibilities. As they step away for now, the group leaves fans with a message they hope will endure: “Seek humanity, not greed. Seek love, not war. Always seek love.”
