Known throughout northeast Ohio and beyond for his energetic concerts, unique blend of Americana-pop music and involvement in local fundraising activities, award-winning singer-songwriter Ryan Humbert is now bringing tradition back to country music through his side-project, Shooter Sharp & the Shootouts.
A quartet composed of Humbert, lead guitarist Brian Poston, bassist Dan Nauss and drummer Dylan Gomez, the group will release its first album June 20. The new self-titled record will be available at the band’s new website www.shootoutsmusic.com and at all upcoming shows.
To coincide with the “surprise” release of the album on June 20, 10 different media outlets throughout Northeast Ohio will each exclusively debut a different track from the album on their respective websites (and below is one of the songs).
“I’ve been threatening to make a classic-sounding country album for years,” said Humbert, “I’m glad I waited until now, because I got to record it with this incredibly talented group of musicians.”
Recorded at Crushtone Studios in Cleveland with award-winning engineer Jim Stewart in April, Shooter Sharp & The Shootouts prove themselves to be more than just a country music cover band with their first project. Originally meant to be a small set of demos, the group ended up recording 10 songs in less than 24 hours. For the recording, The Shootouts were joined by Northeast Ohio music scene veterans Al Moss (pedal steel) and Bill Lestock (mandolin, violin), as well as Humbert’s long time singing partner Emily Bates.
Along with their renditions of songs made famous by Mickey Newbury, Conway Twitty, Patsy Cline and Eddy Arnold, the record also includes four original songs and a cover of an Elvis Costello deep track.
Humbert’s skill as a songwriter shines on songs like the steel guitar-laced “Lonely Never Lets Me Down” and the bootleg-whiskey barnburner “Rattlesnake Whiskey,” which blend seamlessly with the band’s renditions of the standards.
Response to Shooter Sharp & The Shootouts’ throwback sound has been overwhelmingly positive, as many people are looking for country music that doesn’t sound like today’s overly manufactured pop-country hybrid. “Being someone who never really listened to country music, it’s really interesting to talk to so many people like me who, because of Shooter Sharp & the Shootouts, have started to give country a second chance,” said Gomez.
Along with the album’s surprise release, fans will have numerous opportunities to catch The Shootouts in concert this summer. The group will appear at various venues and special events in Kent, Mogadore, Canton and Akron, including the city of Akron Summer Concert Series at Goodyear Heights Metro Park, the Kent Heritage Festival, the Stark County Fair and others. For more information about upcoming shows and to download the new album, visit www.shootoutsmusic.com.
Follow the link above to listen to this NEW single from the album.
