Michael Allsup and Floyd Sneed had left the band in late 1974 to form their own group SS Fools, with former Three Dog Night member Joe Schermie, Stan Seymore, Wayne DeVillier, Bobby Kimball, and Jon Smith, to little success.

A Cash Box Magazine album review dated April 10, 1976, states "American Pastime takes Three Dog Night in a new direction featuring a collection of tunes ranging from slick production cuts to the ever popular disco beat.

AM programmers will find "Billy the Kid" and "Southbound" prime pop cuts, while "Drive On, Ride On" and "Everybody's A Masterpiece" should appeal to the growing disco market.

"Hang On", "Mellow Down" and "Everybody Is A Masterpiece" are pacesetters, the rhythm section rising in importance as the American pastime continues to dance.

To back up its talent, the group has constructed a solid rhythmic pulse and is headed for pop/r&b play.