STILLWATER, Okla. — Stillwater is known for its musical past, present and future. That’s what drove Kansas native Aaron Woods to make the move to Stillwater in May 2010 to continue his music career.

“I had played here before that,” Woods said. “I was in a band up in Hutchison, Kansas, where we played Red Dirt. (We) played a lot all over Kansas and we finally made it down here to Stillwater and I’ve just always been infatuated with the Stillwater music scene.”

Woods recalls doing searching “Stillwater music scene” online while at work. He read about the bands and The Strip. He said that atmosphere doesn’t exist in Kansas.

“Music has always been my passion and my drive and my goal and so after trying to pursue music in Kansas and in Hutchison and in Wichita and being in this band and that band, I just finally told myself if I’m going to try and make this my career, I gotta be in a place that’s going to allow that to happen and so I just packed up my stuff and moved to Stillwater,” said Woods.

Woods he found his bassist, Jesse Tilley, through an online ad.

“We hooked up and jammed and I guess just kind of went from there,” said Woods.

While Woods and Tilley have been in the project since the beginning, other band members came and went, Woods said.

The band eventually found solid members in guitarist Colt Larimore and drummer Mark Clemens. Larimore said this is his first venture into the band scene.

“My style actually really fits Red Dirt well,” said Larimore. “It’s kind of a raw, gritty, bluesy/rock, just the style and it just seems to mesh well.”

Woods said the band has released a demo that can be heard on various websites, but they are hoping to record a full-length, 10- or 11-song album in the next couple of months. Another option the band has been exploring is releasing a three-song EP prior to the album release.

“Hopefully, we can try to get some of our sound out there before the album is released, create some anticipation and also, it’s just PR,” said Woods. “That’s exactly what it is.”

Woods said the group has songs that range from broken hearts to driving trucks out in the pasture. He said they try to incorporate their lives.

“I want my music to say things beyond just what the music says,” said Woods.

Larimore said his hope is that listeners can relate to their songs.

“People like music because of how it makes them feel,” said Larimore. “It really is something a lot more going on than the superficial words. It’s just a relationship.”

Woods said the band is eager to play and is accepting bookings. They will be performing at Willie’s Saloon on Dec. 3 after the Oklahoma State-Oklahoma Bedlam football game.

Woods describes what those coming to a live show can expect.

“Energy,” said Woods. “Energy, energy, energy and passion because we all love what we do. You’re not going to find any, what I like to call, technicians on the stage. A technician is somebody that just, they know so much theory but they don’t play with passion. When you see us play, that’s the one time that you’re going to see all of us up there and we’re doing exactly what we love to do.”