The Shootouts’ sound is reflective of their Northeast Ohio “Rustbelt” roots. Akron, Ohio – the city that produced the Pretenders, the Black Keys, and Devo – isn’t a place normally associated with country music, but these influences are as integral to their sound as those of the country music greats. The bulk of Stampede was recorded at Son of Moondog Studios over a five-day period that brought Benson, Seifert and Asleep at the Wheel to Northeast Ohio to work with the Shootouts on the band’s home turf.

Stampede also finds the Shootouts working with a notable array of Americana heavy-hitters. There’s the high-speed opening kiss-off “Better Things to Do,” which features Marty Stuart’s unmistakable bluegrass-tinged mandolin. Benson and members of Asleep at the Wheel get in on the fun with the western swing-rooted “One Step Forward.” Raul Malo of The Mavericks lends soaring harmony vocals to “I’ll Never Need Anyone More,” a song written by Cleveland music legend Michael Stanley, who passed away in 2021. Country hit songwriter Jim Lauderdale joins the Shootouts on the Bakersfield-esque “Tomorrow’s Knockin’” while famed guitarist, singer-songwriter, and producer Buddy Miller sings with the band on the California-country-rock number “Anywhere But Here.”