Change is coming for Josh Thompson, and that’s not just in reference to his new tour. The singer is gearing up for the release of his sophomore album ‘Change,’ which is slated to hit stores later this year. Fans have already gotten their first taste of the new album with the release of Thompson’s latest single ‘Comin’ Around,’ which is one of 12 tracks on the record which he wrote or co-wrote.

Besides being the title of one of the tracks on the tracklisting, Thompson felt that calling the album ‘Change’ was very fitting, seeing all the changes he has been through in the recent months both personally and professionally.

“Basically, since the last record, I’ve changed record labels, the head of Sony’s changed, my A&R’s changed, my producer’s changed, my band members have changed, my bus has changed … I mean everything’s changed,” Thompson tells Taste of Country. “It seemed very fitting, and really, it’s about stepping outside yourself and looking at your life and looking at everything around you and being able to look at everything from a different perspective. [Songs] like ‘Change’ and ‘Comin’ Around’ all point toward that kind of retrospective feel.”

But fear not, Thompson fans — one thing has definitely not changed. “There’s still a little bit of party,” notes Thompson. “There will always be a party on my record. I really try to think about the live show when making a record, because at the end of the day, that’s what really is the draw. If you’ve got an hour and a half of music that could put babies to sleep, then to me, that’s really boring. It has to be live and jumpin’ and something exciting. It’s got all that. I can’t wait for people to hear it.”

Thompson has already been working some of the new material from ‘Change’ into his live show, which is another part of his life that has changed. “We threw some new covers into the new show,” he reveals. “We’re doing three or four new songs off the new record. So far the response has been going really good. I’m really looking forward to the record coming out so I can work up a whole new show with almost all new songs. It’s going to be phenomenal. It’s tough to put together a 90-minute show off of one record for two years and try to make it something that nobody’s seen before. I’ve exhausted all my options at this point! I really need for that record to come out!”

One of the songs from the new album fans have been hearing live is the Justin Moore duet, ‘Livin’ Like Hank,’ which Thompson opens his shows up with each night, quickly followed by two more brand new tunes.

“It really brings new life into the set,” the singer-songwriter says of his decision to give his fans something new right off the bat when taking the stage. “We’re also doing new covers that are a little rocky. We’re doing some Rod Stewart, ‘Stay With Me.’ I love that song. It’s fun. We do a little bit of ‘Wagon Wheel’ … just things that people know and really can sing along with. It’s exciting.”

Thompson’s Change Is Comin’ Tour is in full swing now. Following this tour, Thompson will link up with Gary Allan and friends on the 2012 Country Throwdown Tour. Click here to see a full list of Thompson’s 2012 tour dates.

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