Editor’s Note: Thirty-six-year-old Josh Thompson has been in Nashville, Tennessee, for about 10 years and has been burning up the highway for the past 6 years, performing his country and western songs all over the nation. Thompson sings country and western music and writes songs for himself and other artists. His goal is to make enough money and also have enough time to go hunting. Thompson says, “I've been hunting all my life, and I'm so proud to be a part of the Mossy Oak Pro Staff.”
My first big break came when Jason Michael Carroll recorded one of my songs, and I had the opportunity to meet with the executives of the Sony Record label. The title of the song was “Growing Up Is Getting Old.” My song publisher was able to get the song to Carroll. He and Sony liked the song. I started writing songs with other country artists who already had deals with publishers. That’s how I got a publisher, which was another step on the ladder of learning my craft.
When I met with the people at Sony, they asked me to play some of my original music. I played four songs, including “Beer on the Table,” a song they liked so well that they signed me to a contract. “Beer on the Table” was the first single I made, was released in 2005, and climbed to number 16 on the country and western music charts.
In 2012, I changed labels and signed with Show Dog Universal. I met Parrish Elliott, a Mossy Oak Pro Staffer, and went turkey and deer hunting with him a few times. Elliott introduced me to some of the other pro-staffers and people in the Mossy Oak family. Then, I met Toxey Haas, Tim Anderson and Ronnie “Cuz” Strickland. I felt right at home with the people who had been making my hunting clothes, since I was a kid. I'm just really excited to get to know the people at Mossy Oak and to represent their company wherever I go.
One of the reasons I went with Show Dog Universal was the company was willing to produce more of my music faster than the other company. I had a 4-year lag between my first record and my second record. I had tons of songs that I wanted to play, sing and get out to the public. With this new company, I have two new singles out and a new album. The first single was “Cold Beer on the Table.” The second was, “Wanted Me Gone”.
Since our band plays about 180 shows per year, we’re on the road about 260 days per year. Over my career, I've been in shows with Hank Williams Jr., Jamie Johnson, Brad Paisley, Eric Church and Dierks Bentley. I feel very fortunate to have been able to perform with these artists. When I’ve been asked to describe my music, I've defined it as rocking country. The lyrics are simple and honest, and it’s all got a groove.
To learn about me and my music got to www.joshthompsonofficial.com. There you can also see when I’ll be in your area. I’d love to meet you.
Day 1: What Josh Thompson Has Learned About Being a Country Singer
Tomorrow: Josh Thompson Has Hunting as a Priority in His Life
