Wednesday night, Brick Street Bar & Grill hosted it’s first show from a country duo, Thompson Square. In recent years, the popularity of the husband-and-wife act has sky-rocketed following the release of their debut, self-titles album and two of the songs featured on that album “Glass” and “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not?”

The concert’s opener was country singer Ashley Ray. During her set, Ray mentioned that recent Brick Street performer Lee Brice had given the crowd in Oxford a glowing recommendation. Her set included some grittier, southern rock numbers while other songs had deeper roots in classic country. Ray had good things to say about the crowd and Miami University.

"I wish I would have gone to college here,” said Ray. “A Wednesday night crowd like this is amazing. Y'all know how to party!”

She also encourages fans to follow her on Twitter @ashleyraymusic and check out her website www.ashleyraymusic.com.

Thompson Square fittingly took the stage to Frank Sinatra’s “Love & Marriage,” shortly following the end of Ray’s set, to the delight of the crowd. The chemistry between on-stage Shawna and Kiefer Thompson is undeniable. The only word to describe their banter is adorable and at times is almost seemed as it the crowd was interrupting a private moment between the spouses. Despite this intimacy, the two were happy to share details about their love story with the crowd. They introduced their song “All The Way,” by explaining that they had adopted it as their love song. At another point mid-set, Kiefer told the crowd he wanted to share with them “the song that made [him] fall in love with Shawna,” and seemingly propositioned her then and there to sing Shelby Lynne’s “I Need a Heart to Come Home To” for the Brick Street crowd.

Along with this cover, Thompson Square included many others into their set, in order to extend their playing time for the Oxford crowd. These covers included “Won't Back Down” by Tom Petty, Joan Jett’s “I Hate Myself For Lovin’ You,” John Mellencamp’s “Pink Houses,” “She Talks To Angels” by The Black Crowes, and “Jackson” by Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash.

Another unexpected cover came as a shock even to the band members when Kiefer heard a crowd-member yell a request for Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird.”

“Whoever said Free Bird can kiss my ass,” Kiefer said. “Every crowd has someone that says Free Bird but I've never known a band to cut into it.”

Despite this comment however, something made them change their mind and the band soon began to play a short excerpt of the classic.

Opener A Ray’s surprise with the Wednesday night crowd was also echoed by Thompson Square. Kiefer requested more “Jack & Cokes” on stage at one point, explaining that he needed more fuel to keep up with the crowd.

“I know it's the middle of the week but by gosh it feels like a Friday or Saturday night,” said Shawna.

Thompson Square also expressed their love of venues like Brick Street to the crowd, commenting on the intimacy of the venue compared to some of the other venues they have played.

After a 16-song set that featured popular favorites “I Got You” and “Glass,” along with a couple of songs that will presumably be on their upcoming album which included the Ohio debut of their new single “If I Didn’t Have You,” Thompson Square exited the stage, leaving the crowd wanting more. After a few minutes of the crowd chanting “One more song!,” the band came back for a two-song encore. The first was a cover of Bill Withers classic, “Give Me the Beat Boys”and the second was fan favorite, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not.” During this song, the crowd sang the entire first verse without the help of either Thompson Square member.

Other highlights of the show are a video taken by Kiefer during one song that will be posted on the band’s Twitter account and Facebook page and a sign-up booth and on-stage mention of their partnership with ChildFund International, encouraging fans to sign up to sponsor a child.

Overall, both Thompson Square and the Oxford crowd seemed to enjoy themselves.

“I have been to a lot of Brick Street concerts and this was definitely my favorite!” Miami University senior Christin Nein said. “They were so adorable and so much fun!”

Coming up in November, Brick Street will host Thomas Rhett with opener Clayton Anderson and Hoodie Allen. Tickets and concert information can be found at www.brickstreetbar.com.