Thompson Square wins ACM vocal award in upset
Sunday, April 1, 2012 – Thompson Square won the Academy of Country Music's 2011 "Vocal Duo of the Year" Award last night in an upset.
The husband/wife duo comprised of Keifer and Shawna Thompson was surprised with the award onstage by ACM CEO Bob Romeo in front of thousands of fans at the ACM Salute to the Military Concert at the ACM Experience at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on Saturday night -- just moments after they had completed their set.
Thompson Square dethroned reigning Sugarland, who have won the award for two years. Love And Theft, Montgomery Gentry and Steel Magnolia also were nominated.
Thompson Square becomes only the third duo to win the ACM "Vocal Duo of the Year" Award in the past 20 years (since 1991) with Sugarland and Brooks & Dunn previously winning in the category respectively.
"It's been a long, long road," Keifer Thompson told the crowd. "This is one of the greatest nights of our lives." Overcome with emotion, he continued, "It's hard to talk when you're crying."
"This is a very bittersweet moment for me," added Shawna Thompson as she fought back tears. "More sweet than bitter. My dad passed away a month ago. This is for my dad."
The Thompsons pounded the pavement for 13 years in the music industry before finally signing to independent label Stoney Creek Records.
Thompson Square is currently criss-crossing the U.S. as part of Lady Antebellum's Own The Night World Tour.
Thompson Square will appear tonight as presenters on the show, which starts at 8 p.m. eastern on CBS.
More news for Thompson Square
CD reviews for Thompson Square
Just Feels Good
The ever-so-happily married Keifer and Shawna Thompson, equal halves of the duo Thompson Square, wasted no time taking the world by storm on their debut record. That disc went on to spawn 2011's most-played song on country radio, Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not. The curse of the sophomore jinx looms large, and many bands have fallen trying to hammer out a follow-up while navigating newfound stardom. Not, however, these two.
Thompson Square has put together yet another bouncy set of country »»» |
Thompson Square
Real-life couple duets carry an honorable tradition in country music. Who could forget the flirtatious sparring of Carter/Cash, the hard-times love of Jones/Wynette or swooning of Hill/McGraw? But rarely does a married couple enter into a musical partnership quite like Keifer and Shawna Thompson, aka Thompson Square. After two respective solo careers failed to catch fire, the Thompsons are now a full-time personal and professional team with a debut record.
The lead single and hit, Are You »»» |
Editorial: Walking the talk –
When names like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon and the Hag are invoked, you're talking hard core country. These are the touchstones of country , the guys who made country music what it was and still is (or maybe can be). When these folks would sing about being down-and-out and the rough-and-tumble, they knew of what they were singing about. Fast forward a few years to the country singers of today. »»»
Concert Review: McGraw has plenty of fight left –
Despite the fact that Tim McGraw is five years sober, fit as a triathlete and touring behind a number one album, he is still in an unenviable position. As he approaches 50, McGraw has to stay a step ahead of the current crop of young country hunks with TV shows, cross format radio airplay and wider appeal. But as he proved at First Niagara's... »»»
Concert Review: Steve Earle doesn't rest (on laurels) –
If you didn't realize Steve Earle had a new disc out, "The Low Highway," it would have been no problem realizing that quite and quickly.
That was because Earle started the two-hour show with three straight tracks from "The Low Highway," and he would not be done for the night. The title track of was a midtempo effort... »»»
|
|
Country News Digest
 CST
 CST
Elsewhere in the news
Currently at the CST blogs
Some folks listening to Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison's new duet album, "Cheaters Game," may well exclaim, 'Well, it's about time!' after finally hearing these two talented country singer/songwriters recording music as a pair for the first time. Willis has built quite a following for her independently-minded feminine perspective, while Robison has written hits for the Dixie Chicks ( Travelin' Soldier) and Tim McGraw and Faith Hill ( Angry All the Time), as well as penning the ultimate Willie Nelson tribute, What Would Willie Do? and recording it as a solo act.
... »»»
Last fall, singer/songwriter Steve Forbert dropped the 14th studio album of his 35-year career, the impeccable "Over With You." Critics recognized the album as a return to the form Forbert displayed on his earliest works - 1978's stripped back and personal "Alive on Arrival" and 1979's more lushly produced and commercially accessible "Jackrabbit Slim" - but the fact is that Forbert has never strayed far from their basic folk/rock tenets.... »»»
Over the course of the past 20 years or so, Jim Lauderdale and Buddy Miller have both experienced a certain rise in their respective rootsy country profiles. Miller has become one of Nashville's hottest speed dial numbers, as an artist, a guitarist-for-hire (a role he has performed for Lucinda Williams, Emmylou Harris and Robert Plant, among others) and an intuitive producer (he's currently working with Executive Music Producer T Bone Burnett to provide the soundtrack for ABC's "Nashville" television series).... »»»
Wilderness
"Wilderness" is another twisted menagerie of The Handsome Family songs. Once again, husband Brett Sparks sings their songs, sometimes in a bellowing gravedigger voice, after adding music to wife Rennie's lyrics. This time out, each and every tune is named after an animal, insect or other such nature creature. However, Rennie studies animals the way Flannery O'Connor wrote about humans, which is with the weirdness and character flaws in primary focus. »»» |
Love Is Everything
George Strait may have reached his seventh decade, but he shows zero signs of slowing down. In fact, Strait seems to be getting even more consistent as he gets older. Strait doesn't stray all that far from the formula that has resulted in superstar status. First and foremost, that means his sonorous voice is mixed far above the music, a very good thing. »»» |
|
