Dothan, Ala. (WDNews) — Collective Soul is set to take the stage in Dothan this week, bringing decades of rock hits and a live show built for fans of all ages.
Sharla with WDNews had the privilege of talking to Will Turpin, bass guitar player for Collective Soul and an original member of the band alongside founding members Ed Roland and Dean Roland.
Turpin said the band’s roots go back to childhood, long before the music reached national audiences.
“I don’t have a memory without knowing who they are,” Turpin said. “We met at church… their father was one of my first music teachers.”
That history helped shape a band that never followed just one lane musically.
“They didn’t understand if we were grunge, rock or metal,” Turpin said. “We just said we’re a rock band.”
Now more than 30 years later, Collective Soul continues to tour and connect with fans — something Turpin said has evolved in a unique way over time.
“It’s all generations,” he said. “We see three generations at our shows all the time.”
Turpin described seeing grandparents, parents and teenagers all in the same crowd, many of them experiencing the music in different ways but sharing the same songs.
“They don’t just come with their parents… they come by themselves,” he said. “They want to hear the band from the ’90s.”
Collective Soul will perform Wednesday, April 29, at the Dothan Civic Center. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. CT, with Atticus Roness opening the night.
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Fans can expect a set packed with well-known songs including “Shine,” “The World I Know,” “Heavy,” and “December,” along with newer material.
Turpin said choosing a setlist is one of the toughest parts of touring.
“We’re gonna play the hits… we can’t even really get to all the hits with our set list,” he said.
When it comes to performing, Turpin said one song in particular stands out right now.
“‘December’ is probably my favorite to play,” he said, noting the energy and crowd reaction that comes with it live.
He said the band still focuses on making sure every show feels genuine, something fans can pick up on.
“A lot of people tell us we look like we’re having fun,” Turpin said. “That’s important… it makes for a really good night.”
Turpin also pointed to the band’s documentary, Give Me A Word: The Collective Soul Story, which gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at their journey from early days to decades of success. The documentary also features live performances filmed at Elvis Presley’s Palm Springs home.
“People think it’s overnight success… but there was a lot of work, a lot of time in the studio,” Turpin said.
With thousands of shows behind them and a catalog that spans generations, Collective Soul is expected to bring a mix of nostalgia and high energy to the Wiregrass when they hit the stage Wednesday night.
Left to right: Dean Roland (rhythm guitar), Jesse Triplett (lead guitar/background vocals), Ed Roland (vocals/guitar/piano), Will Turpin (bass/background vocals), Johnny Rabb (drums/background vocals)
