Stops you in your tracks.
As time passes, it’s become increasingly clear that Shane Smith & the Saints are the most underrated bands not only in the Red Dirt scene but in music in general. Backed by their patented blend of southern rock and stylings from Appalachian country, the Texas band scored early hits with the likes of “All I See Is You,” “Dance the Night Away” and “Lord Bury Me in Texas.”
Over the past decade, it’s been easy to see that they’ve just gotten better with age. The sound has remained nearly the same, in the best way possible, of course. However, frontman Shane Smith’s voice has simply improved with every subsequent release. In particular, last year’s stellar record, Norther, portrayed this the best, showcasing a more mature, raspy vocal performance from the frontman. Feeling somewhere between late-career Johnny Cash and fellow alt. country star, Charles Wesley Godwin, he’s proven he has one of the most dynamic voices in the genre.
Though they’ve solidified themselves as one of the best bands in the jam-packed alternative country scene, 2026 has admittedly been a bit of a quiet year for Smith and Co. From a touring aspect, they’ve continued to hit it hard, teaming up with the likes of Koe Wetzel and The Red Clay Strays on their current arena tours and appearing at festivals such as CMA Fest, Railbird, Born & Raised, Unbroken Circle and more. With that being said, however, we’re still waiting on a new release from the Texas band after they officially started preproduction for their fifth studio album back in April.
As we patiently wait for a new track and/or any updates on the new album, Smith decided to keep fans satisfied with a jaw-dropping cover of Johnny Cash’s “Hurt.”
Of course, “Hurt” hardly needs an introduction.
Originally recorded by Nine Inch Nails on their 1994 album, The Downward Spiral. Though it was an incredible success for the band, landing them a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Song and a Top 10 hit on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart, it was the Cash version that blew the song into the stratosphere.
Upon Cash’s recording on his final album (not including posthumous releases), American IV: The Man Comes Around, it became nothing short of a cultural phenomenon. Beyond it snagging Single of the Year at the CMA Awards in 2003 and Music Video of the Year at the Grammys in 2004, Cash’s version of “Hurt” has been widely regarded as one of the best performances of his career — and one of the best in the genre’s history. Even Nine Inch Nails frontman, Trent Reznor, said “that song isn’t mine anymore” after Johnny’s cover.
As for Smith’s cover, he absolutely crushes it. As previously mentioned, his vocals throughout the years with the Saints have felt incredibly reminiscent of late-career Cash, especially when he reaches down into his baritone. Here on “Hurt,” it’s absolutely no different. Backed by nothing but his acoustic guitar, the Texas native evokes the same emotion found on the Man in Black’s version, and it stops you dead in your tracks.
If you’re a fan of Cash’s iconic cover, Smith’s rendition is nothing short of a must-watch.
Watch below:
Shane Smith & the Saints Tour Dates
October 7 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
October 8 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
October 9 – New Braunfels, TX – Gruene Hall
October 10 – Houston, TX – Cowboys Red River
October 17 – Gretna, LA – Gretna Festin’
October 31 – Birmingham, AL – Legacy Arena at the BJCC
December 5 – Helotes, TX – Floore’s Country Store