You said this album is about joy. With such a diverse range of songs, how did you make sure that each song still connected to the overall theme?

Thomas Rhett: There are really only two songs on the record about heartbreak, “Country for California” and “Don’t Wanna Dance,” which ironically are the only two songs I didn’t write. I’m not good at heartbreak; it doesn’t feel authentic when it comes from me. There was a point in this project where I thought I hadn’t written a real heartbreak song since “Marry Me,” but I wanted these songs to also make sense to my story. Even though those songs are sad, their melodies are upbeat and catchy, which makes for a happy-sad song. Like “Crash and Burn,” which is actually a sad song but makes you jump up and down. Even with songs about heartbreak, I want them to feel comfortable and fun to play in concert.

I want to talk about your single “Overdrive”. It reflects on small town life and young love. Can you share some personal memories that inspired this song?

Thomas Rhett: That song is actually a literal account of a night in high school. I think I was 16 or 17. I was “playing” football — well, I was mostly benching. I was about 140 pounds as a freshman. I really wanted to date Lauren because I’d known her since freshman year, but we had never dated; we were just good friends. I remember one night after homecoming for the first time, I got my truck and Lauren called and asked if I could pick her up. I left my friends so fast and rushed to pick her up. That’s where the song comes from.

I think everyone can relate to that feeling of young love — the awkwardness, the knocking on her parents’ door, wondering if you should hold her hand or kiss her on the first date. I tried to capture all of those feelings in “Overdrive.” It was a lot of fun to play on the road, and I’m just a sucker for nostalgia. That song just hits the right note for me.

Is that why you put your younger brother in the music video?

Thomas Rhett: Yeah, we were actually looking for real actors and actresses, but then my brother came to mind. He’s 19, just graduated from high school and going into his first year of college. He’s that awkward kid, you know? We needed that awkwardness to be on camera, so he and his partner played younger versions of Lauren and me. I loved that they weren’t professionals because it felt more authentic. Plus, it was really fun to have a family member in the music video.

With 22 number one hits in the past decade, how do you continue to push your creative boundaries while maintaining the core elements your fans love?

Thomas Rhett: Good question. I feel like I’m always trying to evolve. If I’m just making the same record over and over again, that means I’ve given up and that’s not the artist I want to be. Even though this record just came out, I’m already thinking about what’s next. I’m always writing and creating, always pushing myself to see what we haven’t done before — what new avenues can we explore, what new sounds can we use. I think the key is to keep pushing forward sonically and melodically while also staying authentic lyrically. The day I stop pushing myself is the day I have to stop making records. But right now I feel like I’m in a new phase in my life and career, and I can’t wait to see what the next decade holds.

You describe this album as a new step forward, but it also reminds you of your earlier work. How do you find the balance between evolving as an artist and staying true to what made you successful?

Thomas Rhett: My dad once told me that my career is like a fast food restaurant — like Chick-fil-A — where sometimes you want to serve pizza for a year. People would love that, but at the end of the day, they still want chicken. It took me a while to understand, but he said that I’ve always been the guy who’s not afraid to push boundaries in the genre. That’s what people expect from me — not normal, mediocre songs, but something that moves them forward musically. So I’m always trying new things, but I don’t forget what got me here. This record combines elements from all my previous work, but it also evolves those familiar elements and makes them better.

You are set to host the CCMA Awards this year. What excites you most about this role and how are you preparing for it?

Thomas Rhett: I love Canada — it’s one of my favorite places to play. I’ve only been to one other CCMA, in 2017, but when I was asked to present this year, I was shocked and honored. I’m presenting with Mackenzie, Canadian royalty, an incredible actress and an incredible person. Having someone like her behind the camera professionally gives me a lot of confidence. We’ve been going through the script, figuring out each other’s personalities, who to poke fun at and who not to poke fun at. It’s going to be a blast and a great way to celebrate all the great country music that comes out of Canada.

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