Blackwood emerged during the “Great Pause” of 2020 after a spontaneous collaboration on what became their debut single, “Inundated One.” Originally intended as a studio project, the band quickly gained traction following “Inundated One”s 2022 release, leading to a near sold-out debut at The Mockingbird Theater and performances across Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama. In 2023 Blackwood won Kentucky’s River Festivus Battle of the Bands, opening for Diamond Rio before nearly 3,000 fans. Their evolving sound and shared emotional themes inspired the creation of their debut album, Release Me, a collection exploring love, identity, and resilience. Lineup changes in 2025 brought in Luke Alonzo on guitar and Derek DaPrano on bass. The band earned four nominations at the 2025 Josie Music Awards, taking home the award for Rock/Metal Vocals of the Year — a milestone marking just the beginning of Blackwood’s journey.