ABC RadioWhen Thomas Rhett took the stage at Sake Rok in Las Vegas on Friday, his intention was to kick off his campaign as the face of Outnumber Hunger. But the “Star of the Show” hitmaker ended up painting the most extensive picture yet of his forthcoming third album.
During an intimate set that included his smash “Die a Happy Man,” “You Make Me Wanna,” and his new single, “Craving You,” TR recalled it was his manager who suggested turning the song into a collaboration. Maren Morris was the voice that instantly came to mind, and after she knocked out her vocal in half an hour and he heard the mix, Thomas says it was obvious it should be the lead release.
Describing “Craving You” as an “eighties Phil Collins-y drum sound,” TR also admitted it was a natural fit as a single, since he sometimes struggles to find uptempo material.
TR’s track with Maren won’t be the only duet on the album, as the Tangled Up hitmaker revealed he’s recorded with Selena Gomez as well.
He’s also featuring his hit-songwriter father, Rhett Akins, on the album, joking he’s trying to revive his career as an artist and challenging his label head, Scott Borchetta, to sign him. TR’s dad went to #1 in 1996 with “Don’t Get Me Started,” though he’s equally well-known for his #3 song from the previous year, “That Ain’t My Truck.”
Having cut 24 songs in January, Thomas has some paring down to do, but promises the album will include “songs that are too crazy for anyone to play,” as well as tunes about being a dad of two.
TR and wife Lauren are expecting their first biological child in August and adopting a little one from Africa as well. TR describes Lauren as “21 weeks pregnant” and a little obsessed with ice cream.
Returning to the evening’s focus, TR confessed his grandmother sends him “a picture everyday” of his face on General Mills products, which is part of the Outnumber Hunger campaign. You can find out more at OutnumberHunger.com.
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