04/30/2026
The Kent American Roots Festival 2026 presented by Wayside Furniture & Mattress is proud to present a special acoustic trio show featuring Ryan Humbert, Brian Poston, and Emily Bates of The Shootouts at from 7:30 to 9:30PM! This Friday!!
Founded in Akron, Ohio, in October 2015, The Shootouts have become one of the most acclaimed roots-country bands in America, forging a sound Rolling Stone called “perfect rustbelt country.”
Blending honky-tonk grit and Americana storytelling, the band released their debut album, Quick Draw, in 2019, followed by Bullseye (2021), Stampede (2023), and Switchback (2025). Along the way, they have earned multiple award nominations, gained national press, and built a reputation as tireless road warriors with a powerful live show.
Their breakthrough came with Stampede, co-produced by Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel. It became a Top 10 Americana album and reached #4 on the Americana Radio charts, while the band was named a “Country Artist to Watch” by Nashville Scene.
In 2023, The Shootouts made their Grand Ole Opry debut and have since performed on the Opry stage 12 times, followed by a Ryman Auditorium debut in 2025 during the Opry 100 celebrations. Their Opry debut outfits were later added to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s “Cleveland Rocks” exhibit—an uncommon honor for a contemporary country band.
The band’s latest album, Switchback (2025), produced by Dan Knobler, features an all-star lineup including Vince Gill, Rodney Crowell, Sam Bush, Logan Ledger, Lindsay Lou, and Mickey Raphael. The album reached #4 on the Americana Radio Album Chart and stayed in the Top 20 for 19 weeks, leading Rolling Stone to call it “the sleeper Americana LP of the summer.”
With collaborations with legends like Rhonda Vincent, Marty Stuart, Chuck Mead, Raul Malo, and Buddy Miller—and performances alongside artists such as Steve Earle, Sheryl Crow, and Charley Crockett—The Shootouts continue to establish a unique place in modern American roots music.
