Singin’ a song, still livin’ the dream — The country roots of Thompson Square

Losing anonymity, perfect days, influences, musical evolution, small town USA, songwriting, “I Don’t Wanna Miss You,” record production, “Just Feels Good,” and more permeate a wide-ranging interview with Academy of Country Music Top Vocal Duo Thompson Square. Say cheese! Shawna and Keifer Thompson are seen backstage shortly before commandeering the Wild Adventures Theme Park on April 21, 2012, in Valdosta, Georgia. Image courtesy of Jeremy Roberts

Repeat winners of the coveted Academy of Country Music Top Vocal Duo award, Thompson Square is the quintessential rags to riches tale. The “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not” husband and wife team of Shawna and Keifer Thompson divulge how they spent an agonizing 13 years soldiering amidst the trenches of Nashville’s Music Row before a major record deal landed on their doorstep exclusively below.

In a neat twist of serendipity, Shawna moved to Nashville after her high school graduation in 1996 to compete in an amateur singing competition. While trying out, her future mate happened to walk into the room, and sparks ultimately kicked into overdrive as their marriage became official three years later.

Among a laundry list of temporary job positions while pursuing their musical dreams, the couple worked as bartenders, bussed restaurant tables, hosted at the Nashville Palace, and dabbled in photography [Shawna] and graphic design [Keifer]. Most folks with common sense would have given up and returned home, but the couple demonstrated remarkable optimism and perseverance.

Gigs were solo and low paying for quite some time. Occasionally when a special showcase was booked, Shawna would join her husband onstage for a George Jones and Tammy Wynette classic such as “Golden Ring”…