The River Drivers, a Bristol Borough-based group known for their music-with-a-message repertoire, will release a new record, “Big Oak Road,” on October 18. Already its in demand, with radio stations in the U.S. and overseas playing such songs as “Children’s March, “Crooked Jack,” and “Big Oak Road.”

The River Drivers have come a long way since their original, informal living-room jam sessions. Since 2013, their signature Celtic, Americana, and hard-driving folk music has morphed from performances in local taverns, restaurants, a coffee house, and such events as Philadelphia’s Irish Festival, the New Jersey Folk Festival, and even a gig at the Cup of Tae festival in Ardara, Ireland.

Anchored by Kevin McCloskey (vocals, guitar, mandolin, banjo, bass); Mindy Murray (vocals, guitar, banjo, bass); accompanied by Marian Moran (tin whistle, low whistle, concertina, melodica); and Meagan Ratini (fiddle, Irish flute, tin whistle), the group stays true to its mission, Murray said.

The River Drivers focus on privations of the past that, in many cases, mirror some of the challenges that the poor and underserved endure today.

“I know I’m privileged. I haven’t had to live in abject poverty, but that makes you feel more responsible to use a vehicle to get the message out, to help others,” Murray said.

One of the songs, “Going Once,” is dedicated to her grandparents and their nine children, whose 30-acre farm on Big Oak Road, was auctioned off in 1929 for back taxes.

At 16, one of the nine children, Murray’s father Paul went to work packing tomatoes and delivering them by truck to Campbell’s in Camden. Eventually, Paul Murray decided to join the United States Coast Guard to jump-start his life.

“It had been a rough life, but dad was able to transcend his circumstances and move on,” Murray said.

The song, “Children’s March,” memorializes the 1903 journey of “Mother Jones,” who left the Kensington section of Philadelphia, leading children in a march to New York, to call attention to the ordeal of youngsters who toiled in the factories of the rich.

There are 10 songs in all in the new release, all reflecting the hardships of men, women and children who worked long hours for little pay, and, once worn with exhaustion, tossed aside by their employers.

Much of Murray’s music is influenced by the suffering she witnessed Appalachia, while she was in medical school. Much of McCloskey’s music reflects the influence of his father, Irish tenor Tom McCloskey.

Moran’s roots lie in Ardara, County Donegal, an epicenter of Irish traditional music. Meagan Ratini formed the duo Port Murray, with her mother. Meagan immersed herself in Irish music while mastering her instruments.

“Through our music, we want to make people aware that, while they may be comfortable, many others are not, and need help,” Murray said