Wild-Eyed Southern Boys

Wild-Eyed Southern Boys is the fourth studio album by American Southern rock band .38 Special, released on January 3, 1981, by A&M Records. The album spawned the hit single "Hold On Loosely", which remains a staple track of classic rock, as well as the group's discography. The album reached No. 23 on the Canadian charts. A remastered CD, with four bonus live tracks, was reissued by Rock Candy Records in September 2023.

Critical reception
Record World said that the single "Fantasy Girl" has a "smooth vocal and a virtuoso guitar display."

Track listing

 * 1) "Hold On Loosely" (Don Barnes, Jim Peterik, Jeff Carlisi) – 4:39
 * 2) "First Time Around" (Barnes, Carlisi, Larry Steele, Donnie Van Zant) – 3:59
 * 3) "Wild-Eyed Southern Boys" (Peterik) – 4:18
 * 4) "Back Alley Sally" (Carlisi, Van Zant) – 3:11
 * 5) "Fantasy Girl" (Carlisi, Peterik) – 4:06
 * 6) "Hittin' and Runnin'" (Barnes, Peterik) – 4:55
 * 7) "Honky Tonk Dancer" (Barnes, Steele, Van Zant) – 4:59
 * 8) "Throw Out the Line" (Barnes, Carlisi, Van Zant) – 3:45
 * 9) "Bring It On" (Carlisi, Steele, Van Zant) – 5:38

Personnel

 * Donnie Van Zant – lead vocals (2–4, 7–9), backing vocals
 * Don Barnes – rhythm and lead guitar, piano (3), lead vocals (1, 3, 5, 6), backing vocals
 * Jeff Carlisi – lead and rhythm guitar, steel guitar
 * Larry Junstrom – bass
 * Steve Brookins – drums
 * Jack Grondin – drums

Additional personnel

 * Steve McRay – piano (4, 6, 7)
 * Terry Emery – percussion
 * Carol Bristow – backing vocals
 * Lu Moss – backing vocals
 * Carol Veto – backing vocals

Production

 * Rodney Mills – producer, engineer
 * Greg Quesnel – engineer
 * Bob Ludwig – mastering at Masterdisk (New York City, New York)
 * Chuck Beeson – art direction, design
 * Mick McGinty – illustrations
 * Willardson & White, Inc. – illustrations
 * Paddy Reynolds – sleeve photography