Grit, Sun, and Storytelling - Barefoot with a Stetson’s “West Texas Oil Fields”

Grit, Sun, and Storytelling – Barefoot with a Stetson’s “West Texas Oil Fields”

There’s a certain kind of song that feels like a dusty boot on a sunbaked dashboard, a cold drink after a 12-hour shift, or a story told around a campfire as the West Texas wind howls outside. Ben Thompson, the visionary behind Barefoot with a Stetson, delivers just that with his latest single, “West Texas Oil Fields.” Running 3 minutes and 31 seconds, the track is a straight shot of Outlaw Country and Trop Rock, blending humor, grit, and a wry sense of place that feels both timeless and timely.

Raised in a rural church in Southwest Arkansas, music was woven into his childhood-his grandfather handed him his first guitar, and the rest, as they say, is history. While Thompson admits he never reached “true proficiency” on the guitar, his love for chords and storytelling shines through in every verse he writes.

The inspiration for “West Texas Oil Fields” came from a friend’s challenge: write a song inspired by the hit TV show Landman. Thompson took the idea and ran with it, penning five songs in a creative burst, with “West Texas Oil Fields” emerging as his favorite. The song channels the show’s energy, capturing both the harsh realities and the larger-than-life legends of oil country.

From the opening lines-“Midland Odessa and West Texas oil fields. It’s desolate, hot and dirty, but black gold it yields”-Thompson paints a picture of life in the oil patch. The lyrics don’t sugarcoat the reality: rattlesnakes, scorpions, drug cartels, and the ever-present threat of heat stroke. It’s a place where toughness isn’t just a virtue – it’s a requirement.

But there’s humor and heart, too. “But in West Texas or any old place, barefoot with a Stetson still wins the race…” is a wink to Thompson’s brand and his laid-back, sun-chasing philosophy. The song is as much about surviving the grind as it is about finding joy in the journey.

Musically, “West Texas Oil Fields” sits comfortably at the crossroads of Outlaw Country and Trop Rock. The sound is unpretentious-think classic country with a breezy, tropical undercurrent. It’s the kind of song you’d expect to hear on a late-night drive across the plains or at a beach bar. Thompson’s music is about capturing a way of life, with all its rough edges and redeeming moments.

Thompson’s humility is what sets him apart. Despite a million streams and views on streaming platforms, he’s quick to call himself a hobbyist, not a professional musician. His day jobs-running a 150-truck logistics company and serving as Senior VP for a 115-store automotive repair chain-keep him busy seven days a week. Music, for him, is a release, a passion project, and a way to connect with others who appreciate a good story and a good tune.

“West Texas Oil Fields” is a song for anyone who’s ever worked a tough job, chased a wild dream, or found themselves in a place where only grit and humor could see them through. Thompson’s storytelling is honest, his melodies easygoing, and his perspective refreshingly unvarnished. It is now available worldwide via major streaming platforms.