Keifer Thompson, husband and wife country music duo Thompson Square, said he judges the quality of their music so their fans think of it - not critical.
"Many of the critics have never done the work they are criticizing," he said in a recent interview. "It's a contradiction to me. I think there have been some good music only destroyed by critics and wonder," What have you done? Who made you God "But they can say what they want to say about us? I do not care. Gotta have a thick skin. My critics are the fans."
Stagecoach Country Music Festival veterans Keifer and Shawna Thompson are scheduled to perform as Thompson Square Toby Keith home I Love This Bar & Grill in Rancho Cucamonga at 8 pm Aug. 14 in a ceremony presented by the country radio station K FROG.
Thompson said that while Toby Keith's place is much smaller than the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio where they performed for the Stagecoach festival, the group's focus remains unchanged.
"I do not think a larger crowd is better," Thompson said. "Prefer long as they know the music of Thompson Square, which is what matters. I do not care if it's 50 people or 50,000 people. Playing for 50 or 60 people to 20,000 people who do not know who the hell you are."
The couple is known for country hits such as "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or You" and 2012 "If I had you." 2010
Thompson Square is touring off his latest album "just feels good" and is working on new material.
"We are literally writing songs now," Thompson said.
By choosing to release singles to radio, Thompson said the group "go with our gut" and usually the fans are on board with their choices.
"But we never know what song will knock out of the park," he said.
His latest single, "You cannot escape yourself" has a special meaning for Thompson because the song is about a breakup that relates especially to her. Thompson said he was dating someone for a long time before they separated and he moved away from Oklahoma.
"Being there was not good," Thompson said. "Then I met Shawna."
Opening for the group is 23 years old, Katie Armiger, whose latest album "Fall into me", released in January 2013 reached number 7 on the Billboard Album of the major countries.
