Local up-and-coming artists Cam Thompson and Mitchell Douglas will open for Ole 60 on the front lawn of the Owensboro Convention Center this week at Friday After 5. The Hawesville-based Ole 60 reached the top on the Apple Country Charts this past February, ousting the likes of Morgan Wallen and Zach Bryan.
Douglas and Thompson are both Owensboro High School graduates, and while they both have successful solo careers, they relish the opportunity to collaborate on songs and perform together.
“We’re excited to open for Ole 60 – it’s incredible what they’ve accomplished this past year with their brand and music,” Thompson said. “Mitchell and I are honored to have the opportunity. We love playing together, especially at Friday After 5 and in our own backyard.”
Thompson’s interest in music grew after he graduated from Owensboro High School in 2020. Once he knew he wasn’t going to play football in college, he knew he needed to find a new hobby, especially during the pandemic.
He leaned on Douglas for guidance when he was just getting started, and the two wrote several songs together.
“We still do our own thing, but whenever we have a show or an opportunity to bring a guest on stage, we try to have each other. We’ve been doing that for about six months,” he said.
Thompson plans to release three new singles by the end of the year.
“I’ve been experimenting a lot lately – it’s not the same sound from the past couple of years,” he said. “I’ve never released a love song, so that will be one of them. I’m just trying some new stuff and hope people will enjoy it. We’re working on a release plan now.”
Like Thompson, Douglas spends much of his time in the Nashville recording studio. He plans on releasing a new album this year, including “The Sober Side of the Story,” which he co-wrote with Thompson. Both artists will be featured on the song.
“We started working together during the pandemic, and we’ve written some great songs together,” Douglas said. “When he first came to me, I told him he had a talent, and he has really taken off from there. It’s been great to see his progression.”
Douglas reiterated that he was ecstatic to perform with Thompson and open for Ole 60.
“I don’t even have words,” he said. “I wrote with those guys when they were local. Their stardom is crazy – it’s an honor, and I’m blessed to know those guys.”
