BoomTown Saints Bring Soul, Faith,
and Fire to CMA Fest
The Tennessee summer heat wasn’t the only thing turning up at CMA Fest 2025—BoomTown Saints, the dynamic duo of Chris Ramos and Ben Chism, brought heartfelt storytelling and high energy to fans from across the globe. Despite an unexpected downpour canceling one performance, the pair made the most of it, still connecting with fans, giving interviews, and sharing the stories behind their music at Fan Fair X.
For Chris and Ben, CMA Fest was a full-circle moment. Their journey began in August 2018 when they first stepped on stage together without much of a plan, but with undeniable chemistry. Originally performing as “Hopscotch Mafia,” and old flag football team name, they rebranded as BoomTown Saints—a name reflecting both the prosperity they were experiencing and the faith guiding them. That faith and family remain central; between them, they have five daughters, and every song is filtered through the lens of the example they hope to set.
Family and dreams inspire much of their music. Their recent single, “Runway,” released just before CMA Fest, encourages loved ones to chase their dreams while knowing they always have a place to return—a nod to the unconditional love and support they have for their daughters. Their breakout hit, “All Trucks Go to Heaven,” is more personal, rooted in Ben’s memory of his father who passed away when he was only 19. His 1977 Chevy still sits at the family home, and Ben shared that when he takes it for a drive, he feels his dad with him. Blending nostalgia and hope, the track earned Music Row’s “DisCovery Disc of the Day.”
Their self-penned “This Side of the Dirt” is steadily climbing the charts, while accolades keep stacking up: MusicRow Magazine’s Independent Artist of the Year in 2024 and CDX’s Group of the Year in 2025. Part of their strength comes from contrasting yet complementary backgrounds. Ben, hailing from Mississippi, grew up on classic rock before discovering country, with Kenny Chesney as a major influence. Chris, whose family has resided in the Nashville area for about 25 years, was steeped in jazz, hip-hop, and R&B, inspired to write after hearing Edwin McCain, whom he got the chance to meet at this year’s CMA Fest. Together, they create a sound that’s both rooted in tradition and refreshingly modern.
Though their CMA Fest performance was cut short by rain, their presence remained undimmed. Fans lined up for meet-and-greets, sharing how the duo’s songs resonated and getting a sneak peek at new music to come. Currently on the road, BoomTown Saints continue to deliver powerhouse vocals, genre-blending arrangements, and soulful lyrics nationwide.
BoomTown Saints may have started by chance, but their success is anything but accidental. With faith, family, and a fierce work ethic driving them forward, Chris and Ben are proving that country music’s next great chapter is already “booming.”
Written By: Helena Cady
