Interview by Kathleene Cochrane
NASHVILLE – June 7, 2021 – Breakout CCM artist Cade Thompson’s new release, New Normal, is a stirring call for faith to overcome fear as today’s high school students face a range of challenges like no generation before it.
Produced by Red Street Records, which was founded in 2018 by Rascal Flatt’s Jay DeMarcus, New Normal follows Thompson’s breakthrough songs Provider and Every Little Step. New Normal is available at https://www.wewantanewnormal.com
Jay DeMarcus is the bassist, pianist, harmony vocalist, songwriter and producer of superstar vocal group Rascal Flatts. With seventeen No. One hits, over 23.4 million albums sold, 35 million digital downloads and 2.2 billion streams worldwide, time and success have only put Rascal Flatts closer to their core with expert musicianship, razor-sharp vocals and songs that have shaped lives, loves and the genre of country music itself. Fittingly, this interview is conducted by Kathleene Cochrane, who’s husband wrote the hit song “Life Is A Highway,” which Rascall Flatts reprised in 2005 with the Pixar movie Cars.
“When I met Cade I knew he had his finger on the pulse of this generation’s dreams and fears,” said Jay DeMarcus, founder of Red Street Records and Rascal Flatts band member. “I’ve become a sounding board, encouraging Cade to give voice to his passion.”
“Cade is an amazing talent,” said co-writer Matthew West. “I was happy to write with Cade, to put his passion into music.”
“From the real possibility of school shootings to social media bullying to pandemics, anxiety and depression, today’s kids live with unprecedented levels of insecurity, confusion and unrest,” Thompson said. “If this is ‘normal life,’ we need a New Normal.”
Not far removed from Cade’s own school days, the 20-year-old singer/songwriter takes listeners back to the emotions he experienced as a student when his school went on lockdown. But more than acknowledging the uncertainties related to mass shootings, New Normal encourages and empowers young people who live in the internet age along with all that goes with that.
Active shooter drills are implemented in over 95% of American K–12 schools today. (Everytown)
66 school shootings since 2018 (Education Week)
United States had 57 times as many school shootings as Canada, Japan, Germany, Italy, France and the United Kingdom combined. (CNN)
New Normal’s way forward rings out in a line from the song’s chorus:
In this world there will be trouble
But take heart, take heart
He’s overcome the world
Thompson has had an affinity with music since his toddler days and was fortunate that as a sixth-grader a music mentor came into his life who emphasized the importance of seeking God through the Bible outside of a worship setting. This understanding placed him on a deeper course of encountering the love of the Father and seeking his presence more intently. This has resulted in a strong connection to his generation sonically and lyrically. Shortly after finishing high school, Thompson moved to Nashville and signed with Red Street Records. He is in the studio writing and recording his debut album.
Produced by Red Street Records, which was founded in 2018 by DeMarcus, New Normal follows Thompson’s breakthrough songs Provider and Every Little Step. New Normal is available at https://www.wewantanewnormal.com
