Tara Thompson
Feed the Band
Feed the Band
Tara Thompson
Patrick L.
Here is our first interview for the New Year and I couldn’t be more excited. 2020 is going to be an amazing year and we are starting it off with a bang. The next artist on Feed the Band has the lineage to be one of the best in country music. She is beautiful, has a sweet southern drawl, has played at the Opry and is Loretta Lynn’s cousin. Those are huge checkmarks in country music; but for me, they make up a small part of what is best about her.
Tara Thompson has become someone near and dear to me. The problem is, I could not tell you if it was because of her, or her music. I came to the conclusion that they are one in the same. In conversation, I never heard Tara ever mention she wanted to be someone else. She never even entertained the idea of filling Loretta Lynn’s shoes or being molded by any other artist. Tara Thompson is her own person. This is a subject that artists decades before her have been singing about and feels lost in mainstream country today.
The biggest thing about Tara is that she is honest about any and everything. Yes there are drawbacks with being too honest, but it also can be a huge positive. You never have to wonder where Tara Thompson stands. I know it has led to some great friendships and rocky relationships because it’s all in her music.
You can pick any song that Tara has written, co-written or had her hands in and you’ll find little truths about her life and the people in it. Song titles such as “Pregnant at Prom”, “Behind Bars” and “Wienerschnitzel” really push the point that truth can be stranger than fiction. No matter how strange these song titles are, there is a common thread. Tara Thompson loves her family and all who are around her.
I am pretty sure that if you go against the grain with Tara Thompson you will end up with a few splinters. That said, there is so much to love about Tara and her music. This has been one of my favorite interviews and I feel honored that Tara has found a home here at Southern Fellow. Please check out the amazing Queso dip recipe she inspired and enter our giveaway at the bottom. Here is our interview with country music artist Tara Thompson.
In your own words define country music.
“Country music is real life stories, experiences, telling other people’s stories, changing lives, helping people through the hard times. It’s real. It’s raw. It’s funny. It’s sad. It’s all these things and that’s why I love it so much. I am country music!”
What are 3 things a songwriter should know?
“Be honest in your writing & don’t try to write what’s on the radio. Be different and be you.”
What takes up too much of your time?
“My dogs! I have four now… and I’m not sorry about it! Rollie Mae, Bella, Minnie Pearl & Momma! And they all have different personalities, they are everything to me!”
What accomplishments are you most proud of?
“Playing the Grand Ole Opry will always be my proudest moment! I’ve been lucky enough to play there six times!”
What is your biggest fear?
“As I get older, I feel as though I am scared of everything. Ha ha.. I HATE spiders! I’m scared of heights! I think I’m turning into a worry wart! I always worry about my little brother. He’s in the Army and it scares me to death! God bless our soldiers!”
We are always developing recipes here at Southern Fellow. When writing music what recipe do you use?
“Honestly, I just show up! Sometimes I have an idea, sometimes I have a melody, and sometimes I got nothing and hope my co writer has something up their sleeve!”
What is your favorite secret spot in Nashville?
“I love The Nashville Palace; it’s right across the street from the Opry and they play old-school country music live and I’m obsessed with their cheese burgers.”
Connect with Tara
What is your first fond memory of food?
“My Mom was never much of a cook (sorry, Mom) but when she did cook, it was usually one of three things.. Pot Roast, Ham, or Taco salad.. I still eat all those meals to this day!”
What does success look like to you?
“Being happy doing what you love! Whatever that may be, just be happy! And hopefully make some money along the way…”
If you wrote a song about food, what would it be about?
“I already did! It’s on my latest Hillbilly Christmas album and it’s called Wienerschnitzel.. I mean it’s kinda ridiculous, but kinda awesome at the same time!”
What do you love most about the place you grew up?
“I love that everyone knows everyone. It’s a small town which means there is always some sort of drama. It’s very entertaining; unless of course, you’re in the drama, and In that case, I just write about it.. My town gives me lots of song inspiration.”
Try this inspired recipe!
What does 2020 look like for you?
“New music! I’m actually working on my next single.. we have been back and forth with songs, but I think I finally settled on the single and I’m soooo excited. It’s the first story-song I’ve put out in the world that’s not my actual experience. It’s very Country and steel guitar driven. It’s almost haunting…”
What New Year resolutions do you have?
“I would love to get back out on the road and tour! Getting another record deal wouldn’t suck!”
Tell us about your favorite song you have written.
“That is the toughest question because I co-write all of my songs. I do have a song called “The Circus” and I’m crazy proud of that one! I wrote that song with my friends Jen Schott and Michael White! It’s about the music business but can be relatable to any career and man, is it deep. I plan to put that song out in the world one of these days!”
Is there anything else you want your family at Southern Fellow to know?
“Thanks for welcoming me to the Southern Fellow family. There is new music on the horizon and I can’t wait to share it. Please follow me on social media so you can be the first to get it.”
I am so glad we were able to bring Tara Thompson into the Southern Fellow family. She has truly been a pleasure to get to know; her music is fun and refreshing. You can be a part of that fun by checking out her music on your favorite streaming service. You can find all of Tara’s music on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon and YouTube. I doubt that this will be the last time you hear about Tara Thompson; she has some new music on the way and we will be sharing it with you, right here at Southern Fellow.
