Cade Thompson is only 19 years old, but his first single — “Provider” — is packed with truth for people of every generation.
Faithwire was able to catch up with Thompson over the phone as he was traveling on his tour bus this week ahead of the song’s official release Friday.
From an early age, Thompson was drawn to music. His mom, Nancy, was a children’s pastor. So the church in his childhood hometown of Joplin, Missouri, was like a second home. Then, in the second half of his childhood, Thompson and his family moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where, as a middle schooler, he spent a great deal of time as a worship leader in his youth group.
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“Worship is literally declaring the promises of God over our lives,” Thompson said of why he was so drawn to music. “That is so powerful.”
Confident in his calling, Thompson began writing songs. Through what he is convinced were divine appointments, the young singer-songwriter was introduced to various musicians and producers, which eventually resulted in him attending a songwriting camp.
In September of last year, he moved to Nashville to pursue music in this next phase of his life — the part where, as he said, he has to begin “adulting.”
It was only a short time later, in November, that he signed a deal with Red Street Records, the new label owned by Rascal Flatts singer and bassist Jay DeMarcus.
All of it, Thompson said, has been an “answer to prayer” and a credit to the support of his parents.
“I personally have tried to reach for things in this world that will never measure up,” he said, explaining some of the inspiration for his first single since signing with Red Street.
In “Provider,” over the song’s anthem-like melody, Thompson sings:
Why am I clutching and grabbing at all the things that I don’t have when you’ve given me everything? Why am I stuck in my feelings, thinking I know what I deserve and the answer is clear to me.
’Cuz what you give me, Lord, is more than I desire. You’re my provider. When I lose my way, you lead me through the fire. You’re my provider. Even on my darkest day, you show me where the light is. You’re my provider. And when my strength is gone, I know where to find it. You’re my provider.
“I wanted to have the verses in the song be real,” he explained. “[G]od is in the details and he cares about the details.”
It is difficult to surrender control of our circumstances and situations, but Thompson’s message to listeners is that God will meet our needs in this life, so long as we turn to him.
As an up-and-coming singer inspired by artists like TobyMac, Phil Wickham, Matthew West, and OneRepublic, Thompson said he wants to be “a voice for a generation that feels like they have no voice.”
“I never would’ve imagined at 19 years old I’d be on a tour bus,” he said. “I take a step back and say, ‘Thank you, Lord.’”