Nashville-based singer-songwriter Mike Thomas explores the peace and serenity that being out in nature can bring, and the beauty of sharing that experience with family, in his brand new single, “Tailwaters.” With plenty of harmonica and pedal steel setting the table for Thomas’ fishing-inspired lyrics, it’s Americana at its best. Thomas is in fine form, as always, and if this, a single from his forthcoming 2026 album, is an example of what to expect, we’re already all in. We sat down with him recently to get all of the details on this amazing new song.
Hi, Mike! You have a terrific new song out in September called “Tailwaters.” What’s the scoop on this song? And what inspired you to write it?
I wrote this one with my longtime friend, Nick Powell. Nick was the one to bring the initial idea for the song. He sent me the title and some lyrical ideas. I really connected with the title and some of the images he was using. While I didn’t immediately finish the song, I kept it in my file and always had a feeling we’d finish it sooner or later. Earlier this year, I’d taken my son fishing,and, while we were wading in the river, the inspiration to finish the song hit me.
It’s a stand-out track. What do you hope its message is to listeners? And what did writing it bring to you?
Nick and I grew up fishing with our dads and grandfathers. They taught us to appreciate the beauty of the rivers, streams, and mountains where we were raised. We learned to recognize a profound connection to nature and a sense of divine presence. Now, in a noisy, fast-paced world filled with distractions, I find solace on the water. It’s a place where I go to escape and recalibrate. “Tailwaters,” while seemingly about fishing, speaks to the profound redemption found in pursuing something you love with someone you love, and the sacred act of passing a spiritual torch to the next generation.
What kind of a vibe were you going for on this song when you recorded it? Do you think you ended up with a song that sounds like you expected it to sound? If so, how so, and if not, what’s different about it? Who joined you in the studio for this one?Lyrically, this song has some complexities that might not be easy to follow upon first listen. There are also some fishing references that the seasoned angler will recognize but might be lost on the casual listener. With that in mind, I tried to make this song melodically interesting and catchy, with an upbeat vibe. We also worked to add some different layers of instrumentation to hopefully keep the listener engaged. The hope here is that if the lyrics don’t grab you, maybe the melody and overall feel of the song will. I was joined on this track by Tres Sasser (bass, producer), Jamie Dick (drums, percussion), Mark Huhta (pedal steel), Steven Bowman (fiddle) and Weston Woodford (vocals). It was engineered and mixed by Joe Costa and mastered by Pete Lyman.
Your music and lyrics work so well together. Was this a music-first or a lyrics-first song for you? What was the writing process like for this one?
Thank you! This was one of those where the lyrics and music came simultaneously for the most part. Nick and I had tossed some lyrical ideas back and forth, but when I finally carved out time to finish the song, both the music and lyrics came together. Once I started writing this one, it came quickly, but I had lived with the idea for about two years before finally finishing it off, so I guess it was time!
This song is about fishing. Is this a favorite hobby of yours? What do you enjoy most about it?
I do enjoy fishing and always have. I love being near, on, or in the water. I like the serenity it brings, and I have enjoyed sharing this passion with my son as he has begun to develop an interest in the sport. For me, it’s as much about being out in nature and enjoying God’s creation as it is about catching fish.
What can fans look forward to from you next?
We are currently working on finishing an album. I hope to have it out during the early part of 2026. “Tailwaters” is a part of the album, and we will probably release another single or two before the full album is released. We are also playing shows in various cities over the next few months. We are even hitting some cities we’ve never played before, so keep an eye out for show dates ahead.
Artist website:https://mikethomasmusic.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikeThomasBand/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/themtband/
YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@mikethomasmusicthemtband5894
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikethomasband
