Tag: The Shootouts

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

Posted on by Editor

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, “Saturday Night Town”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: The Shootouts
Hometown: Northeast Ohio
Song: “Saturday Night Town”
Album: Bullseye
Release Date: April 30, 2021
Label: Soundly Music

In Their Words: “It was inspired by a book I read about a historic small town in Ohio. Throughout the book there were stories of fun-loving locals who would cut loose at the end of a long week, referring to it as a ‘Saturday Night Town.’ I instantly knew that was meant to be a song title. We all come from, or know someone who comes from, a small town like this. Even if they end up leaving, it’s hard to get that out of your blood. I think we can all relate to a much-needed break at the end of a long week, no matter what town you call home.

“That same book inspired another track called ‘Rattlesnake Whiskey,’ which is also on Bullseye. Both of those songs were written in 2015, before The Shootouts began. They were some of the first original songs we performed live, and they quickly became fan favorites. They didn’t quite fit with the batch of tunes that became our debut album, Quick Draw, but they definitely felt like a perfect fit for Bullseye. Luckily, Chuck [Mead, producer] thought so too. I think we got the definitive versions, and I’m glad we finally got to record them both.

“Fun fact: We end almost every show with ‘Saturday Night Town’ and have almost since the inception of the band. It really allows the band to stretch out a bit and trade some tasty licks.” — Ryan Humbert, The Shootouts

Photo credit: Jamie Escola

LISTEN: The Shootouts, “Cleaning House”

Posted on by Editor

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