Josh Thompson goes top ten for “Way Out Here”

Columbia Nashville newcomer Josh Thompson burst onto the country album sales chart this week, as his debut album Way Out Here earns first-week sales in excess of 15,000 units, the # 9 spot on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, and #28 on the Top 200 chart. Way Out Here is the highest debut from a new country act this year, and the highest debut from a new solo male since Justin Moore in August 2009.

Josh Thompson’s second single and the album’s title track, “Way Out Here,” will follow-up the Top 20 hit “Beer On The Table.” The title refers to a backwoods, simpler way of life, where people refuse handouts and homes are “protected by the good Lord and a gun.” Of the album’s 10 tracks produced by Michael Knox (Jason Aldean), Josh wrote or co-wrote each of them, collaborating with some of Nashville’s A-list writers including Rhett Akins, David Lee Murphy, George Ducas, Casey Beathard and Dallas Davidson. “Way Out Here” will be available to country radio next week, officially impacting on March 29.

Josh’s debut album has drawn praise from countless critics including NPR Fresh Air’s Ken Tucker who lauds, “Way Out Here is impressive not just for the confidence of Thompson’s delivery, but also for its consistency… he comes on like an old pro at making country-music albums. That is, he makes them the way they used to, when albums arrived on vinyl, five songs to a side.” Way Out Here has impressed other media outlets including People Magazine, Country Weekly, AOL’s The Boot, CMT.com and Roughstock.com who touts the album as “is one of the most impressive country debuts in recent history.”

In addition to listening for the new single, Josh Thompson fans can catch any of his shows on the Jagermeister Country Tour which runs through March. Fans can also look forward to seeing him on the road this summer as he joins Brad Paisley’s H20 2010 World Tour starting in May.