Keifer and Shawna Thompson are looking for dinosaur bones.
This country music duo is looking every morning their 6 year old son Cooper walks through the woods around the upper level of the fixer of their new house, an animated search that usually takes place after the newlyweds enjoy their first cup of coffee on the porch.
“We entered side by side, we went through all the paths in the woods,” Shawna Thompson said in an interview with PEOPLE. “[Cooper] like to call them adventure. “
Ford Fairchild Thompson Square
The Thompson family has enjoyed this particular adventure countless times over the past few years, as the rest of the world begins to wonder what the hell the country duo is up to.True, Thompson Square’s last chart-topping album was in 2013 feel good Until a few months ago, they hadn’t had a single on the charts since 2019’s “You Should Be There.”
“People think that if you don’t have a single on the radio, you’re either dead or you’re missing in the woods somewhere,” Kiefer said with a laugh. “We never stopped.”
Yes, he has a point.
related: Keifer Thompson of Thompson Square comes up with a new children’s book while on a dad mission
The Grammy-nominated duo, known recently for topping charts like “Would You Kiss Me or Not” and “If I Didn’t Have You,” have been busy lately, both personally and professionally.From Publish your own children’s book it’s time to get dressed In 2018, Kiefer shot to fame as a comedian, and the two are sure to keep themselves busy.
“We never stopped touring, we never stopped writing, we never stopped recording,” Kefer said. “It’s just that the radio element is clearly absent.”
Ford Fairchild Thompson Square
Indeed, when the duo decided to break free from the control of their previous label, they went on to release albums independently masterpiece 2018.
“We funded that record and released it because we wanted to do something that was not influenced by anyone,” Kiefer said of his and Shauna’s co-production with Nathan Chapman and Dan Huff said this album. “This is our favorite record to date.”
Meanwhile, Thompson Square relishes the opportunity to spend as much time with his son Cooper as possible, and longs to enjoy the bliss that comes with watching the baby grow.
“We had to spend every moment with him for the first three years of his life,” Shawner recalls.
But just before the pandemic hit, the pair began pushing back against the idea of Shauna putting out a traditional country solo album of her own. As those conversations began, so did the re-release of the Thompson Square single to radio.
Ford Fairchild Thompson Square
Then came COVID-19.
However, when the duo received a feel-good song, “Country in My Soul,” they knew it might be time to team up with a new record label and revive a new single on the air.
“As soon as I heard the lyrics, it hit me,” Shawna said of the song written by James McNair, Daniel Rose and fellow country stars Lenny Wilson“I’m from southern Alabama and grew up in the country, and listening to this song brings me back to my childhood.”
Shawna and Keifer are now giving their son Cooper this sweet childhood, and he seems to be following in the footsteps of his talented parents.
“Musical loopholes definitely exist,” Kiefer said of Cooper. “I mean, he’s been singing and humming and occasionally misjumping harmonies.” He laughed. “He’s still taking piano lessons, composing beats on his iPad, and he’s even playing football.”
Yes, Kiefer is his coach.
“I’m waiting to see if he’ll be as good as his old man,” Kiefer said with a laugh.
Ford Fairchild Thompson Square
“He was also a very gentle kid,” Shawna added. “I think it’s from me.”
Cooper also seems to like “Country in My Soul”.
“We played all the songs for him,” Keifer commented. “When a 6-year-old can tell if he likes it or not, that’s probably a better indicator than any record label executive in town. It’s fun to play his songs and see his feedback. He’s a very Great kid.”
At the end of the day, that’s what Thompson Square wants. A good life with a good kid…and a song on the radio.
“I think we’ve become better people over the past few years, with stronger marriages and stronger family units,” Kefer said. “We just have more purpose.”
“I think the main thing is that we’ve just been able to live our lives,” Shawner added.
