Keifer and Shawna Thompson of award-winning country duo Thompson Square are a match made in country music heaven. She hails from Chatom, Ala., and he from Miami, Okla. They met at a singing competition after they separately moved to Nashville, but they didn’t instantly become a duo; instead, it was love first, singing second.
“We came in town to be artists, and we met really quickly, but we didn’t realize until a few years into our marriage that the best way for us to coexist was for us to be together all the time,” says Keifer Thompson. “Being apart and doing our own things … we just weren’t happy. We were happy doing music, and the relationship wasn’t suffering, but it wasn’t as good without her.”
While some couples need a little bit of time apart, the “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not?” hitmakers enjoy being together more than the average husband and wife.
“Keifer would be gone doing his own thing on the road, and I would be at home miserable and missing him. Now, we’re getting to do what we both love to do together,” adds Shawna Thompson. “It doesn’t get any better than that.”
The two are pretty much adorable in every aspect — including their sweet engagement story, which involves carving pumpkins and Halloween.
“We had gone to get a pumpkin to carve out for Halloween,” Keifer Thompson tells Taste of Country. “Shawna cleaned out the pumpkin, because I don’t touch the gooey stuff. I had put the ring at the bottom of the pumpkin, and [when] she came back to put the candle in, she pulled it out, bawling.”
But what she thought was a diamond was actually a piece of glass; he didn’t have enough money at the time for a real piece of bling. The week of their wedding, he replaced the glass with a real sparkler.
After 20-plus years of marriage (they were married in May of 1999), the madly-in-love couple is continuing their standing as a fan-favorite country duo — and an inspirational husband and wife.
The Zac Brown Band has released a jam-heavy version of “Baba O’Riley,” on all streaming platforms. The track is the newest single from the group’s first ever live covers album, From the Road, Vol. 1: Covers, out Nov. 10.
“Baba O’Riley” was recorded live in 2016 at Boston’s Fenway Park, which holds a special place in both the band’s heart and career. As Fenway Music Hall of Fame members, Zac Brown Band made history in August, selling out the iconic stadium for the 14th time and marking the Park’s 100th concert.
Releasing via Brown’s own label Home Grown Music, From the Road, Vol. 1: Covers includes tracks spanning over 11 years and showcases a selection of performances in iconic venues from the ZBB, joined by John Mayer, Steven Tyler, Darrell Scott, Mark O’Connor Band and Marcus King. ZBB’s rendition of Queen’s British-rock anthem “Bohemian Rhapsody,” as well as the recently released cover of “The Way You Look Tonight” made popular by Frank Sinatra, are on the the guilty pleasures album, along with tracks ranging from quintessential rock with “Sweet Emotion” and “Baba O’Riley,” to the Beatles’ pop cult classic “Eleanor Rigby,” to Jimmy Buffett’s tropical escape “Margaritaville” and more.
From the Road, Vol. 1: Covers Tracklist:
1. Bohemian Rhapsody (Live at The SSE Arena, Wembley, London, UK, 09.25.2015)
2. Baba O’Riley (Live at Fenway Park, Boston, MA, 08.20.2016)
3. Enter Sandman (Live at Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL, 09.14.2014)
4. Sabotage (Live at Windy City Smokeout, Chicago, IL, 7.16.2023)
5. Sweet Emotion feat. Steven Tyler (Live at Fenway Park, Boston, MA, 08.09.2015)
6. Whipping Post feat. Marcus King (Live at Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 10.17.2021)
7. Margaritaville (Live at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek, Raleigh, NC, 10.05.2023)
8. It’s A Great Day To Be Alive feat. Darrell Scott (Live at Fenway Park, Boston, MA, 06.16.2018)
9. Eleanor Rigby feat. Darrell Scott & Mark O’Connor Band (Live at Fenway Park, Boston, MA, 06.16.2018)
10. With a Little Help From My Friends feat. Darrell Scott & Mark O’Connor Band (Live at Fenway Park, Boston, MA, 06.16.2018)
11. Neon feat. John Mayer (Live at the Southern Ground Music and Food Festival, Nashville, TN, 09.22.2012)
12. Use Somebody (Live at Jiffy Lube Live, Bristow, VA, 08.25.2019)
13. The Way You Look Tonight (Live at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, Irvine, CA, 06.04.2016)
NMPA President & CEO David Israelite with Keith Urban. Photo: Tony Sarria
The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) hosted its annual Gold & Platinum Gala at the Country Music Hall of Fame Wednesday night (Oct. 25). With throngs of songwriters and publishers fellowshipping together, the night was abuzz with reunions and celebrations.
Ashley Gorley with NMPA President & CEO David Israelite. Photo: Tony Sarria
The NMPA Gold & Platinum Program honors the songwriters of RIAA-certified singles. In an exciting carousel of honors, NMPA gave out plaques to 85 multi-Platinum songwriters Wednesday night, including hitmakers such as Luke Laird, Natalie Hemby, Chris DeStefano, Dallas Davidson and many more. As each songwriter joined the stage to receive their plaque, their peers and colleagues hooped and hollered as the hit song they wrote played over the speaker.
Flanking the plaque presentations were some awesome performances, with Ian Munsick kicking off the show with his Gold-certified single “Long Live Cowgirls,” which got a big reaction. Newly-inducted Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame member, Keith Urban, gave a rousing performance of his “Blue Ain’t Your Color”—and was subsequently presented with a plaque for his 18 Gold and Platinum certifications.
The event culminated with the honoring of the top male and top female songwriters of the past year. Over the eligibility period, Ashley Gorley achieved an astounding 26 certifications, making him the Top Male Songwriter of the Year.
When speaking about Gorley, NMPA President & CEO David Israelite compared his success to that of star footballer Tom Brady, sharing that as a Kansas City Chiefs fan, he used to feel that he hated Brady because of his success, but eventually realized he admired his excellence. Rightly so, he encouraged those in the room to acknowledge the privilege of working with Gorley.
“Appreciate this moment. If you got to see Tom Brady play, or if you have gotten to see Ashley Gorley write, you are witnessing something that is greatness,” Israelite said.
Gorley was honored with a performance of “Rumor” from Lee Brice.
NMPA President & CEO David Israelite with Hillary Lindsey. Photo: Tony Sarria
Top Female Songwriter of the Year went to Hillary Lindsey, who scored 10 certifications overall. Israelite spoke about Lindsey’s impact as one of the most succesful country songwriters of her generation.
“She has been such an inspiration to all songwriters, [especially] to all women songwriters. What she’s done with Liz [Rose] and others, I don’t think we’re going to see much in our lifetimes.”
Lindsey was honored with a hair-raising rendition of “Girl Crush,” performed by Brittney Spencer.
During the event, Israelite officially launched the Gold & Platinum (G&P) Club. The Club encompasses all songwriters who have achieved Gold, Platinum and Multi-Platinum certifications. Israelite also announced that the Club’s Co-Chairs are Rose and Ryan Tedder.
Israelite said, “The NMPA Gold & Platinum Program is the most definitive measurement of a song’s success. We are thrilled with the growth of the Gala and the opportunity to recognize the most elite songwriters in Nashville. The unprecedented number of honorees at this year’s event demonstrates the expansion and dominance of country music. We congratulate the brilliant minds behind these songs and are excited about the launch of the Gold & Platinum Club which will foster community among them.”
Cheat Codes total stream tally eclipses a staggering 6 billion plays which reinforces their inescapable force in popular culture. The eclectic mix of artists and songwriters involved in the project is evidenced by the reveal of the full track list. […]