Thompson Square
Keifer and Shawna Thompson do almost everything together - even interviews.
And they wouldn't have it any other way.
The country duo, who goes by Thompson Square, recently called in before a New York gig.
Shawna said that, after years of playing on barstools, it's great to play at different venues.
Last month, as musical guests on "Conan," they sat in to watch the show's rehearsals and rewrites. When it came time to perform, Shawna said she tried not to think about how many people were watching.
On Saturday, Brooks Robinson Plaza at York's Sovereign Bank Stadium will serve as Thompson Square's stage as they kick off York Revolution's Fan Fest.
In between about a dozen concerts next month, they'll celebrate their 12th wedding anniversary.
Appropriately, their love story played out in Music City.
They moved to Nashville in the same week, Shawna from Alabama and Keifer from Oklahoma. Both hoped to make it as solo stars.
But when they struck up a conversation at a singing competition, sparks flew. Then, they found out that they lived in adjacent apartment complexes.
"We've been together ever since," Keifer said.
Their first smooch happened differently than their No. 1 country hit "Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not."
"I didn't say those words," Shawna said. Instead, she craned her neck around when they were sitting on the couch together. Keifer met her halfway.
"It was all downhill from that," he said with a laugh. They dated for three years before getting hitched.
But while they pursued separate careers, their relationship seemed like an uphill battle. Keifer was on the road a lot with artists' touring bands.
Being apart so much didn't work, so they decided to form a duo. They each juggled multiple jobs to make ends meet.
The Thompsons were just about to give up their dream and settle down in Alabama, when they caught a break. In 2009, the couple signed a record deal with Stoney Creek Records.
Keifer, a seasoned songwriter, helped Shawna learn the craft. Sometimes, they brought in a third party to referee, she said with a laugh.
Their self-titled debut hit stores Feb. 8. "Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not" is still hovering in the top 3 on Billboard's country chart. Their song "I Got You" premieres this weekend on CMT's Big New Music Weekend and will be released to country stations May 9.
Most of the group's music naturally gravitates to love and relationships.
"You have to write about what you know and what you've lived," Keifer said.
And the pair might get more inspiration this summer when they crash weddings as part of CMT's Dream Honeymoon Contest.
"It means a lot to us," Shawna said. "They are going to remember that first dance and that first song."
Unlike those couples, the Thompsons will continue to serenade each other on a regular basis.
When they find a bit of free time between the music, which is hard to come by, Keifer said, they like to go to the movies and take motorcycle rides.
Saturday's show will be fun, Shawna said, since they don't frequent baseball stadiums. They did get to an Atlanta Braves game recently, where they ate hot dogs and did "the chop."
Keifer said that most people might not want to be with their spouses around the clock. But he pointed out like other couples, including Johnny Cash and June Carter and George Jones and Tammy Wynette mixed music and marriage.
Shawna looks to Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter for inspiration.
"They were in love until the day (he) died," she said.
- Erin McCracken, FlipSide staff
If you go
Country act Thompson Square kicks off Fan Fest noon to 2 p.m. Saturday on the Brooks Robinson Plaza in front of Sovereign Bank Stadium, 5 Brooks Robinson Way, York.
For details about Thompson Square, visit www.thompsonsquare.com.
Read more artist interviews at www.flipsidepa.com/musicdirectory.