Blackberry Smoke Teams with Paul Rodgers on Powerful Bad Company Cover

A second single has surfaced from the upcoming tribute compilation Can’t Get Enough: A Tribute to Bad Company, and it’s already turning heads. Southern rock stalwarts Blackberry Smoke have delivered a rugged, soulful take on Run With the Pack, featuring a rare guest appearance by Paul Rodgers—the iconic voice behind Bad Company and Free—alongside Mastodon drummer Brann Dailor, who contributes percussion and backing vocals.

Originally the title track from Bad Company’s 1976 album, Run With the Pack gets a fresh yet faithful update. This release follows The Struts’ explosive rendition of Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy, the first track unveiled from the tribute project. Together, these early singles point toward an album rooted in reverence but unafraid to bring modern energy to classic material.

“No Frills, Just Feel”

For Blackberry Smoke, reinterpreting a rock staple like Run With the Pack wasn’t just about nostalgia—it was about honoring a sound that’s never gone out of style.

“Bad Company has always been one of those bands that just hits you in the chest—raw, soulful, and real,” says frontman Charlie Starr. “Run With the Pack is like a masterclass in groove and grit. There’s a simplicity to it that’s so powerful—no frills, just feel. You don’t need to dress it up; it’s just honest. Paul Rodgers’ voice is cool confidence—never overdone, just authentic. That kind of music doesn’t age; it just gets cooler.”

Blackberry Smoke’s version leans into the song’s rootsy blues-rock DNA while adding its own southern-rock swagger. With Dailor’s rhythmic muscle and Rodgers’ unmistakable vocals, the track captures both the spirit of the original and the chemistry of seasoned collaborators.

Rodgers Responds with Praise

Rodgers, who rarely lends his voice to outside projects, was quick to applaud the new interpretation.

“Blackberry Smoke absolutely channelled the essence of the song, and everyone delivered from their souls,” he says. “I love every aspect of their performance—harmonies, guitars, and delivery!”

Can’t Get Enough: A Tribute to Bad Company arrives on October 24. Its release will be followed closely by a landmark moment in the band’s history: Bad Company’s long-awaited induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The ceremony takes place in early November at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, cementing the band’s legacy as one of rock’s most enduring forces.

Can’t Get Enough: A Tribute to Bad Company tracklist
Hardy – Ready For Love
Halestorm featuring Paul Rodgers – Shooting Star
Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators – Feel Like Makin’ Love
Blackberry Smoke featuring Paul Rodgers and Brann Dailor – Run with the Pack
The Struts – Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy
Charley Crockett – Bad Company
Dirty Honey – Rock Steady
Black Stone Cherry – Burnin’ Sky
Joe Elliott and Phil Collen featuring Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke – Seagull
The Pretty Reckless – All Right Now