Country artist Thomas Rhett released a new single, titled "Be A Light", featuring multiple artists, on his 30th birthday, March 30.
The new ballad includes fellow country artists Reba McEntire and Keith Urban, worship singer-songwriter Chris Tomlin, and Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott. Thomas Rhett's new track, running for 2 minutes and 58 seconds, calls on people to "Be A Light" and spread positivity and hope to others.
"In a world full of war, be peace", the first line goes.
The song begins with an acoustic guitar strummed to Rhett's vocals. He is then followed by equally uplifting lines from the featured artists, with the second chorus opening up to a full accompaniment.
"Be A Light" was written by Thomas Rhett himself, together with Joshua Miller, Josh Thompson, and Matt Dragstrem. In a video posted in his Instagram account, the now 30-year-old singer-songwriter expressed gratitude to his 4.1 million followers for "hanging out" with him on his birthday. He explained that his new track was about "encouraging you guys to stay positive and be a light in a dark time and in a dark place."
"Don't hide in the dark, you were born to shine/ In a world full of hate, be a light", he sings in the first chorus".
Rhett also shared that the proceeds from the star-studded song will go to the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund. These proceeds would help members of the music industry affected by the global pandemic, either from contracting the disease or at the risk of losing jobs due to shelter-in-place currently in place across most parts of the country.
"Know that your money is going to a great cause", the birthday boy said.
He also explained in a separate Instagram Live session that the song, while written last year, was not yet supposed to be released. Also emphasizing the song, asking people to be an encouragement to others, Rhett added that they "weren't supposed to release this now", but the country music artist stressed that he felt it had to come out today.
Born Thomas Rhett Akins Jr, Thomas Rhett is the son of country singer Rhett Akins. He has four studio albums under his record label, Big Machine Records. The songs in these albums have spawned 19 hits charting on the Hot Country and Country Airplay lists.
"Be A Light" is now available across major streaming sites, as well as on Rhett's Instagram and YouTube accounts. This initiative by Thomas Rhett, together with his featured artists, is among the many efforts to combat the growing coronavirus outbreak. Just yesterday, March 29, fellow country music star Joe Diffie died due to coronavirus. Also, John Prine, influential folk and country singer-songwriter, was hospitalized and reported to be "critical", although recent updates say Prine is now "stable on the respirator".
Also, the cancellation of music festivals, concerts, and tours have endangered the livelihood of all workers in the music industry, among others. The economic repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic have recently forced the U.S. government to sign into action what is now the largest economic stimulus bill to help those affected.
As of this writing, there are more than 163,000 confirmed positives in the United States alone, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.
