The duo, Logan Samford and Anthony Enriquez, say their two biggest influences are George Strait and Kings of Leon, and you can hear both in their songs - modern country rock from the Texas Panhandle that reaches for the rafters but still has the emotional depth to connect at the honky tonks.Ī series of EPs - each one shining a light on Samford's elastic voice and Enriquez's melodic, muscular guitar playing - proved to be popular not only in the Bible Belt, but across an entire nation's worth of country-rock fans. Apple Music Country put their first single "Me and a Memory" on their "Hot Tracks" playlist as well. Spotify has added "Me and a Memory" to their "New Boots" playlist alongside artists like Kacey Musgraves, Chris Janson and Midland, and Pandora has them on their "New Country Now" playlist alongside Jake Owen, Ashley McBryde and Ashley Monroe. Shotgun Rider is also receiving plenty of love from streaming services. Last week, The Boot premiered “Bottom Of This Crown,” a song Shotgun Rider calls a "drown-your-lost-love-in-a-bottle anthem," and American Songwriter premiered first single "Me and a Memory," saying "the infectious track captures the duo’s myriad influences, which include the Southern-tinged rock of bands like Kings of Leon, classic George Strait, and modern country rock a la Luke Combs." Wide Open Country says “Steady As She Goes” is an “an infectious, sweeping country love song made for two-stepping around a Texas dance floor.” The new Texas duo of Anthony Enriquez and Logan Samford aren't afraid of steel and pledge allegiance to George Strait, but they also know their way around a rock riff on songs like ‘Me and a Memory.’ New release ‘Steady as She Goes,’ however, plays up the twang, making for a dreamy sunset of a love song that paints a bright future for the genre.” “If Midland's ‘Drinkin' Problem’ helped reintroduce trad-country sounds to country radio, then Shotgun Rider are arriving at just the right time. Rolling Stone Country, who named the band a “New Country Artists You Need to Know” last month, included album standout “Steady As She Goes” in their “10 Best Country and Americana Songs of the Week” round-up on Friday, saying:
“If Midland's ‘Drinkin' Problem’ helped reintroduce trad-country sounds to country radio, then Shotgun Rider are arriving at just the right time” (Rolling Stone)Īhead of the release of their debut album Palo Duro, out March 30th on Thirty Tigers/Torrez Music Group, Shotgun Rider continue to receive early praise for their anthemic Country rock.