THOMAS RHETT’S “DEFINING” CENTER POINT ROAD MAKES HISTORY AS THE TOP STREAMING COUNTRY DEBUT EVER AND MARKS THE FIRST COUNTRY ALBUM TO DEBUT ON THE BILLBOARD 200 IN 2019

Photo Credit: John Shearer

Nashville, TN (June 10, 2019) –  As critics laud “few singers have played a larger role in defining the sound of country music over the past half-dozen years than Thomas Rhett” (Rolling Stone), the reigning ACM Awards Male Artist of the Year has earned his second consecutive No. One on Billboard 200 Albums Chart in less than two years with CENTER POINT ROAD (The Valory Music Co). It also makes history today with over 33 million on-demand audio streams for its songs, claiming the biggest streaming debut week ever for a country album.
 
“The reception for this new music has been mind-blowing from the start,” said Thomas Rhett. “In these last two years of life, a lot has happened that gave me a lot to write about. When I didn’t think I could get more personal, I did. And I attribute so much of that to the songwriters that really went with me into deeper territory and to the producers that had a great vision for the sound of this album. I just feel super honored and super blessed that we got to make this record with such an incredible team. Huge shout out to the fans for listening to it and supporting every release along the way. It has been such a whirlwind, for the album to finally be out and to see this kind of response is just mind-blowing.”
 
“As he’s ascended to country music’s A-list” having “comfortably grown into his role as a star with something to say” (Billboard), critics note that the “expansive 16-track record finds him pushing further” (Associated Press).
 
“The follow-up to 2017’s Life Changes sees the dreamy, often double-denim-clad mixing upbeat toe-tappers with more traditional guitar-led tracks, culminating in a pretty perfect soundtrack to early summer.” – Entertainment Weekly
 
“On his sprawling fourth album Center Point Road, he’s an everyman charmer, Nashville-style, expanding his palette as he assumes the role of country music jack of all trades.” – Rolling Stone
 
“If you like big-name country collabs, larger-than-life summer jams and and blockbuster love songs, then look no further than the latest from one of country music’s biggest stars, Thomas Rhett.” – Paste
 
“He may be on the road more than 200 days a year, playing sold-out shows all over the world. But at the end of the day, home is where this country star’s heart is. And a spin through his new album serves up the proof.”  – Parade
 
“Many of the songs drip nostalgia, ripe with memories he made in his hometown in Sumner County.” – USA Today
 
“It’s been a relatively quiet year for country music on the Billboard 200, but that’s changed now that superstar Thomas Rhett’s latest album has finally debuted.” – Forbes
 
“The guy knows what he’s doing.”  – NPR
 
In celebration of the new album, Thomas Rhett brought CENTER POINT ROAD to Bridgestone Arena this past weekend (6/8) where more than 7,000 fans were treated to an up-close-and-personal set in the round from the singer/songwriter revealing stories behind the new music, while also delivering the smash hits and fan-favorites that shaped him into the artist he is today. Featuring special surprise guests Jon Pardi and Rhett Akins, the sold-out special event was rounded out with a $100,000 donation to music education through the CMA Foundation.  
 
The in-demand entertainer has been introducing new “larger-than-life summer jams and and blockbuster love songs” (Paste) spanning several national television appearances. Thomas Rhett debuted the album’s Top 10 lead single “Look What God Gave Her” on Saturday Night Live. He performed  “Remember You Young” and a stripped down version of the “poignant” (Newsday) “That Old Truck” on NBC TODAY’s 2019 Citi Concert Series. Most recently, the star opened the CMT Music Awards with Little Big Town and Trombone Shorty for an “infectious” (Billboard) performance of their “high-spirited” (NPR) track “Don’t Threaten Me With a Good Time.” Next up, Thomas Rhett handles co-host and performance duty on “CMA Fest” airing Sunday, August 4 on ABC.
 
Thomas Rhett’s fourth studio album CENTER POINT ROAD debuted atop the Billboard Top 200 and connects fans to Thomas Rhett’s past, weaving together autobiographical stories with familiar sounds that have propelled his meteoric career. The follow up to his GRAMMY-nominated, PLATINUM-selling No. one album LIFE CHANGES that has surpassed one billion streams, CENTER POINT ROAD is a return to Thomas Rhett’s roots. All those moments and more are 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 and raising a family, and staying true to yourself in the process. The album’s lead single “Look What God Gave Her” has already earned the highest chart debut of Thomas Rhett’s career, following a slew of RIAA-certified PLATINUM and GOLD chart-toppers, bringing Thomas Rhett’s No. One 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, adding to his collection of trophies from the Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music, Billboard Music Awards, CMT Music Awards and more. This weekend, Thomas Rhett’s headlining VERY HOT SUMMER TOUR will continue to “sizzle” (The Spokesman-Review) with special guests Dustin Lynch, Russell Dickerson and Rhett Akins in Virginia Beach on (6/13) and Charlotte (6/14). For more information on new music and upcoming tour dates, visit ThomasRhett.com.