Years ago, a young man from Miami, Oklahoma and a young woman from Chatom, Alabama moved to the Music City to chase their dreams of being musicians. Little did they know that within a week of being in Nashville, their paths would cross and their lives would forever be changed. After experimenting with the solo artist roles, Shawna and Keifer Thompson decided they would partner up and become the vocal duo that we now know as Thompson Square. And thank god they did. They are one of the hottest duos in country music today and won two consecutive Academy of Country Music Awards for being the Top Vocal Duo, in 2012 and 2013, among other prestigious awards . But that comes to no surprise to Keifer as he half-jokingly tells New England Country Music that they are the best vocal duo in country music before their show at the Indian Ranch in Webster, Massachusetts on August 30th.
Many artists struggle with the long road trips and tours that separate them from their significant others and have to actively make time to carve time out for their better half during those trips. But that’s not the case for Thompson Square. Being married and on the road together, they are constantly with each other. And although they say that it works for them, they also admit that like any couple, they have their arguments and their issues. But being in confined quarters forces them even more to make it up to each other and they do. It’s just another thing that makes it apparent that they are real people that go through real life issues, like us all. I will tell you one thing, these two absolutely love each other unconditionally. While talking with the two of them, the way that Shawna looks at Keifer when he speaks is incredible. They admire each other, they appreciate each other and they are both realistic. They understand the music business and the tough decisions that are made for them, even if they do not necessarily agree with these decisions.
Photo: Anthony Baker.
In 2011, the duo released their debut self-titled album that reached number three on the Billboard Country Albums chart. That album included a number of great songs including mega-hit, ‘Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not,’ which both Keifer and Shawna credit as the song as the song that was the turning point of their careers and rightfully so. ‘Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not’ was their first number one hit and was certified two times platinum by the RIAA. And just last year, they released their sophomore album, titled ‘Just Feels Good,’ which yielded four singles including their current single, ‘I Can’t Outrun You.’
The 13-song album, 16 if you include the extra three tracks on the deluxe edition, is full of great songs that are fun, wholesome, and personal songs that chronicle the journey that the duo has experienced since they moved to Nashville. Songs like ‘Just Feels Good,’ ‘Home Is You,’ and ‘If I Didn’t Have You’ speak volumes to their relationship together. Shawna tells us that she loves performing ‘If I Didn’t Have You’ because she can sing this song to her husband on stage. And then there’s fun songs like ‘Everything I Shouldn’t Be Thinking About’ and ‘Testing the Water’ that even features a little rap from Shawna. Either Shawna, Keifer, or both of them had their hand in writing six of the thirteen songs on the album, and all three of the bonus songs on the deluxe edition, so they definitely have their personalities expressed in the album. If you haven’t purchased ‘Just Feels Good,’ make sure you get the deluxe edition as the three bonus songs are some of the couple’s favorite including ‘That’s Why We Roll,’ which Keifer says is his favorite.
Sitting on their tour bus, I noticed a sign that hangs on the wall that reads, “The secret to having it all, is believing that you do.” And these two sure do believe they have everything, and they just may- everything that really matters to them at least- each other, music, their dogs, and maybe for Keifer, his motorcycle. They have already done so much and have had so much success with their first two albums, and if they continue to do what they do, they will continue to have this success and so much more a for a long time. Keifer told us, “We have already done more than we ever thought we would and carved out a better life than we ever imagined.”
Make sure you follow Thompson Square on Twitter, Facebook, and of course their website.