Thomas Rhett details ‘Center Point Road’
The 16 song collection features collaborations with Little Big Town, Kelsea Ballerini and Jon Pardi
With 12 best-selling No. Ones, an armload of awards, a growing reputation for electrifying headline tours and a distinction as country radio’s most played artist of 2018, Thomas Rhett has unveiled details of his hotly-anticipated upcoming fourth studio album Center Point Road (The Valory Music Co.) ahead of its May 31st release on CD and LP. Named after the street in his Tennessee hometown that shaped and influenced much of his life experiences, the eagerly-awaited project is a return to his roots, marking the most autobiographical collection of Thomas Rhett’s meteoric career. It is revealed through a series of deeply-personal twists and turns – but, this project isn’t about pining for glory days. It’s about knowing where you came from and who you really are, regardless of how much has changed. It’s about pushing forward, chasing crazy dreams, raising a family and staying true to yourself in the process. Fans can now pre-order limited edition album packages at ThomasRhett.com and those who pre-ordered the album digitally will receive a brand new track in addition to previously available tracks “Look What God Gave Her” and “Don’t Threaten Me With A Good Time” feat Little Big Town.
“For me, Center Point Road really symbolizes what it was like to grow up in Hendersonville,” explains Thomas Rhett. “First dates, first football games, first heartbreak, first kisses, success and failures. I really feel like that road shaped who I am today, and it felt fitting because the record, for the most part, is pretty nostalgic. Songs like ‘Almost,’ ‘That Old Truck’ and especially ‘Center Point Road,’ really describe who I was as a kid and teenager, and who I’ve become as an adult.”
Center Point Road mines Thomas Rhett’s upbringing for inspiration, reaching new heights of exposing truth-life through songwriting with the star co-writing all 16 tracks on the album for the first time. In addition to the “buoyant” (Rolling Stone) lead single “Look What God Gave Her,” first introduced on Saturday Night Live, the album embraces bold unpredictability which is becoming Thomas Rhett’s signature: hot-blooded R&B meets brassy, shag-carpeted funk, danceable disco and breezy beachside soul, joining classic balladry, new school honky-tonk and above all, twangy authenticity.
“On this one, I just got back to why I wanted to make music in the first place – and that was writing great songs. This is one of those records that every time I listen back to it, it still feels new,” Rhett shares.
Rhett once again stepped into a production role, along with long-time companions Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure and Julian Bunetta. Like anyone tracing the contours of their most impactful moments, themes of friendship and fun are everywhere, with Thomas Rhett inviting some of his country music pals to guest, noting it only made sense to include your friends on a record inspired by friendship. Delivering universal tales of growing up layered with authenticity, Thomas Rhett revels in taking a look back with Center Point Road, and reflects on the path paved to a red-hot career.
The upcoming album’s lead single “Look What God Gave Her” has already earned the highest chart debut of Thomas Rhett’s career. Center Point Road is the follow-up to the platinum-certified smash Life Changes, which spawned a 2018 GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Album and has been streamed more than one billion times, delivering a slew of RIAA-certified platinum and gold chart-toppers, bringing Thomas Rhett’s No. 1 tally to 12. Thomas Rhett was named country radio’s most played artist of 2018, following a CMA Triple Play award for penning three No. One songs within a 12-month period (“Die A Happy Man,” “Star of the Show” and Michael Ray’s “Think A Little Less”), adding to his collection of trophies from the Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music, Billboard Music Awards, CMT Music Awards and more. On May 17th in Spokane, WA he will kick off his headlining Very Hot Summer Tour, visiting 40 stops across the nation.
CD | LP
1. Up
2. Don’t Threaten Me With A Good Time featuring Little Big Town
3. Blessed
4. Look What God Gave Her
5. Center Point Road featuring Kelsea Ballerini
6. That Old Truck
7. VHS
8. Notice
9. Sand
10. Beer Can’t Fix featuring Jon Pardi
11. Things You Do For Love
12. Remember You Young
13. Don’t Stop Drivin’
14. Barefoot
15. Dream You Never Had
16. Almost
Author: Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn founded The Music Universe when he decided to juxtapose his love of web design and music. As a lifelong drummer, he decided to take a hiatus from playing music to report it. The website began as a fun project in 2013 to one of the top independent news sites.
