Josh Thompson

Country songwriter Josh Thompson launched his professional path in 2009 by issuing the single “Beer on the Table” and co-writing a track for Jason Michael Carroll’s Top Ten album Growing Up Is Getting Old. Born in western Wisconsin, Thompson started mixing concrete with his father at age twelve, an experience that later infused his songs with blue-collar pride. After relocating to Nashville in 2005, he formed a band and secured a contract with Columbia Records’ country imprint. That same year “Beer on the Table” reached the Top 40 on the country chart—Thompson’s initial commercial breakthrough—prompting a year of touring and preparation for his debut full-length.

Way Out Here arrived in February 2010 and entered Billboard’s country albums survey at number nine. Follow-up singles included “Way Out Here,” which climbed to number 15, and “Won’t Be Lonely Long,” which peaked at number 25. Additional momentum came from opening slots on 2010 tours by Eric Church and Brad Paisley. Corporate reshuffling at the label in 2011 shifted Thompson from Columbia Nashville to RCA Nashville, where he issued the single “Comin’ Around” (number 31) before parting ways. He signed with Show Dog/Universal in 2012 and spent the ensuing twelve months recording new material. “Cold Beer with Your Name on It” reached number 32 late in 2013, and the resulting album Turn It Up appeared in April 2014.

In 2015 Thompson arranged to release the previously shelved RCA recordings through Ole Digital as a pair of EPs. The opening installment, Change: The Lost Record, Vol. 1, surfaced digitally on October 9, 2015, and climbed to number 20 on the Country Albums chart; its sequel was slated for 2016.