Thompson Square

Thompson Square

Thompson Square is a US country duo from the United States, active from 2002 to the present. The act centres on husband-and-wife performers Keifer Thompson and Shawna Thompson, and its sound is described as contemporary country and country pop, with country, rock and country-rock influences.

Formation and background

Keifer and Shawna each move to Nashville with the aim of pursuing solo careers. They meet there at a singing competition shortly after arriving, and after working separately for a period they decide to combine their efforts as a duo. The pair also adjust to performing together while balancing married life and a shared career.

Shawna grows up in Chatom, Alabama, where she learns traditional country songs from her guitar-playing father and listens to Reba McEntire and Alabama. Keifer grows up in Miami, Oklahoma, and hears a broad mix of music including Roger Miller, Merle Haggard, punk rock, heavy metal, Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty.

Career and recordings

The duo is signed by Stoney Creek Records after a Nashville club performance catches the attention of manager Shawn Pennington, who brings them to the label. Their debut album is recorded with New Voice Entertainment, the production team of Kurt Allison, David Fanning, Tully Kennedy and Rich Redmond.

Much of the material on the debut comes from Keifer’s own songs, alongside outside material selected by the duo and their producers. Their songs reflect both playful and serious sides of relationships, including “Let’s Fight”, “I Got You”, “Getaway Car”, “If It Takes All Night” and “Glass”.

Breakthrough and awards

Thompson Square’s breakthrough single, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”, becomes a major radio hit and their self-titled debut album introduces them to a wider audience. The song reaches number one on several country charts, becomes the most played song at country radio in 2011, and earns recognition including iTunes’ Country Song of the Year. It also receives Grammy nominations for Best Country Song and Best Country Duo/Group Performance.

The duo receives three fan-voted American Country Awards for Single of the Year by a Group, Single of the Year by a New Artist, and Music Video of the Year by a New Artist. In 2011 they are also nominated for American Music, CMA and CMT awards, among others.

In 2012, Thompson Square wins the Academy of Country Music’s Vocal Duo of the Year award, becoming the first new country act in 20 years to win the category against established headlining duos. They are also named Mediabase’s New Country Artist of the Year based on radio airplay, and Billboard ranks them as its number one new country artist for single and album sales.

Media appearances and touring

The duo performs on major television programmes including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Conan, Fox & Friends, Fox’s All American Concert Series, the 45th Annual CMA Awards, FOX’s 2nd Annual American Country Awards and NBC’s The Better Show. They also tour as an opening act for Jason Aldean and play high-energy headline shows of their own.

Style

Thompson Square’s songs combine country songwriting with rock-influenced energy and contrasting vocal styles, with Keifer’s intensity paired with Shawna’s clear, powerful singing. Their material often focuses on the realities of couplehood rather than idealised love songs.