The Shootouts to Release New Album, Perform in Massillon
MASSILLON, Ohio – Akron-based country honky-tonk band The Shootouts will release their third album, “Stampede,” on Friday, Feb. 24.
“Stampede” was produced by Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel and includes appearances by Raul Malo of The Mavericks, Marty Stuart, Jim Lauderdale, Buddy Miller and Benson. The album was at No. 15 on the American Radio Album Chart this week.
The first single, “Better Things to Do,” features Stuart.
The Shootouts are in the midst of a 30-day tour that will see the band make its Grand Ole Opry debut on release day, perform at the South by Southwest Festival and play an album-release show on March 18 at the Lions Lincoln Theater in Massillon. Tickets are $20 and $25 and are on sale at lionslincolntheatre.org.
The band will also play at Birdfish Brewing in Columbiana on April 29.
“Stampede” came as a surprise to the band, led by Ryan Humbert. Only months after the April 2021 release of its top 10 Americana Radio album “Bullseye,” The Shootouts received word that Benson was interested in producing their next album, so they quickly headed back into the studio.
The band’s sound reflects its northeastern Ohio roots, while fusing elements of Americana, honky-tonk and Western swing. They like to refer to it as “country music for people who don’t like country.”
Humbert said working with Benson and Asleep at the Wheel has been a dream come true.
“It’s been a master class, and we couldn’t be more thankful for their time, talent and attention to detail,” he said.
“Stampede encompasses all forms of American roots music, which is no small feat to do well,” Benson said.
In addition to Humbert, the band members are vocalist Emily Bates, lead guitarist Brian Poston and bassist Kevin McManus. They are joined on the album by Dylan Gomez on drums, Ryan McDermott on bass and longtime mentor and collaborator Al Moss on guitar.
Pictured at top: The Shootouts will play the Lions Lincoln Theatre in Massillon on March 18. Their new album comes out Friday. (Photo by Jamie Escola)
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
