Shawna Thompson is a distinguished country artist and songwriter, best known as one half of the multi-platinum, GRAMMY-nominated duo Thompson Square. With a string of No. 1 hits like “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” and “If I Didn’t Have You”, she has solidified her place among country music’s most powerful vocalists. 

Recently, Shawna has launched her solo career under the legendary Sun Records label with her debut solo album Lean On Neon (released September 13, 2024). The album is both a deeply personal project and a tribute to her late father, Mickey McIlwain, whose love for traditional country music shaped Shawna’s early life and sound. 

Lean On Neon is steeped in the honky-tonk, traditional country style she always wanted to pursue. It includes 13 tracks, seven of which Shawna co‐wrote. Among the notable collaborators are iconic country artists Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Jim Lauderdale, Pam Tillis, Leona Williams, Leslie Satcher, Rhonda Vincent, Sunny Sweeney, and Ashton Shepherd.  The song “Bama Clay,” featuring Vince Gill and Ricky Skaggs, is a highlight, bringing together high-lonesome harmonies and a classic country aesthetic.

Her solo debut single “Burn It Down” introduces Shawna’s personal mission with bold honesty and honky-tonk grit, produced by her husband and duo partner Keifer Thompson, along with two-time GRAMMY® winner Chad Carlson (who’s worked with Taylor Swift, Trisha Yearwood). Another recent single, “Lonesome And Then Some,” co-written with acclaimed songwriters Marv Green and George Ducas (both known for working with country royalty like George Strait, Trisha Yearwood, and Willie Nelson), demonstrates her commitment to storytelling rooted in traditional country themes of heartache, regret, and redemption. 

Prior to this solo turn, Thompson Square achieved sustained success: multiple chart-topping songs, high radio play, major country awards (ACM, CMA, etc.), appearances on national television and big country tours, and a strong reputation for emotional authenticity and harmonies. 

Shawna’s solo work is positioned as both a continuation and evolution of her roots: she is honoring her musical inheritance while asserting her own voice. Lean On Neon not only honors those who inspired her, but also introduces her to audiences ready for an artist fully committed to traditional country — with all its emotion, instrumentation, and storytelling.