In 2003 AmAm signed a 3-album contract with Phoenix-based Rustic Records. The first fruit of the deal was the band's strong second album, STRAY. Guest harmony singer Florence Dore and guitarist/producer Hugh Pool helped bring the band's sound vividly to disc. STRAY sharpened the band's unique blend of guitar-driven rock, country roots, and dazzling songcraft.

The songs dealt with straying across the American landscape, straying from the straight and narrow path, straying in love and in faith.

STRAY garnered solid airplay and chart position at Americana and AAA stations for months, with tracks like "Hey Richard Nixon" and "Saturday Nite & Sunday Morning" hitting it big. Pete hit the road for a tour of radio stations and acoustic gigs in the south and southwest in support of the album.