WATCH: The Shootouts Feat. Ray Benson & Asleep at the Wheel, “One Step Forward”

Artist: The Shootouts
Hometown: Akron, Ohio
Song: “One Step Forward” (Feat. Ray Benson & Asleep at the Wheel)
Album: Stampede
Release Date: February 24, 2023

In Their Words: “‘One Step Forward’ was written by our good friend Al Moss, a longtime Shootouts collaborator. While it’s definitely an uptempo love song, I couldn’t help but see it as a perfect analogy for the music business, too: one step forward, two steps back. Someone who knows a thing or two about surviving the ups-and-downs of the music business is Stampede co-producer Ray Benson. You don’t survive 50+ years in the music business without being able to weather the occasional storm. That’s just one of the many lessons we learned from working with Ray. He is a wealth of country music knowledge, and working with him and (Stampede co-producer) Sam Seifert was a true learning experience. We’re really grateful to them for their belief in The Shootouts and our music.

“For this song, and the video, we were also thrilled to be joined by Ray and members of Asleep at the Wheel. We wanted the video to give a little taste of what you might experience at a Shootouts concert, while also documenting some of the fun shows and tour dates we’ve had recently. We shot the portion with Ray and the Wheel on the road at the Blue Gate Theatre in Shipshewana, Indiana.” — Ryan Humbert, The Shootouts (vocals, guitar)


Photo Credit: Jamie Escola

LISTEN: The Shootouts, “Cleaning House”

Artist: The Shootouts
Hometown: Akron, Ohio
Song: “Cleaning House”
Album: Quick Draw
Release Date: May 10, 2019
Label: MRI Entertainment/MegaForce Records

In Their Words: “‘Cleaning House’ is one of my favorite songs to sing from Quick Draw. It was written by Shootouts sideman Al Moss, who has performed with us since shortly after the band started in late 2015. Al wrote the song many, many years ago. When we were looking to add some new songs to the catalog, I asked Al if he had any songs that might fit the band. He humbly and quietly offered to see what he had lying around. A week or two later he offered up ‘Cleaning House’ and I was blown away. I was immediately hooked. It’s such a fun tune, and I love the play on words. It seemed like a natural song to open up the album.” –Ryan Humbert, The Shootouts


Photo Credit: Aimee Lambes

WATCH: Cave Twins, “Walk Together”

Artist: Cave Twins
Hometown: Akron, Ohio
Song: “Walk Together”
Album: Best Friends For Now
Release Date: March 15, 2019
Label: Tiger Spa

In Their Words: “Atheists do got songs! We love everything about gospel music, except the message. So we worked up a little ‘humanist gospel tune’ about the glory of friendship and the power of human kindness. We paired it with this 1983 good old-fashioned family vacation to Cedar Point, all shot on a super 8 camera. Hot dog!” — Cave Twins


Photo credit: Roger Hoover