Adam Doleac has enlisted Thomas Rhett for his latest release, a collaboration called “Bar Named Jesus.” The spiritually-driven duet follows the singer/songwriter’s previously-released cuts “Dream House” and “Bye Heart,” which arrived earlier this year. 

Unlike his other tracks, “Bar Named Jesus” taps into the spiritual world, showing a different side of Doleac — one where he leans deeper into his faith.   

“I do think it’s, if not the best song I’ve ever written, the most important song I’ve ever written,” Doleac told Country Now at Live in the Vineyard Goes Country. “I’ve never really touched on Jesus and my faith, and I just felt like it was time to do that.” 

The Story Behind The Song

Written alongside Josh Jenkins and Chris LaCorte, “Bar Named Jesus” focuses on more serious subject matter with themes associated with redemption, forgiveness, healing, and renewed hope. Doleac unveils a storyline in the third person of a man who has experienced the consequences of alcohol abuse. In a life-altering twist of fate, he owns up to his mistakes and finds refuge in the community and through a higher power while on his journey to sobriety. 

“… There’s a bar named Jesus / Where the light stays on / And there’s no such thing as too far gone / Where the well ain’t whiskey and it don’t run dry / And there’s always room for one more inside / Yeah, I was sittin’ rock bottom / I was goin through hell ’til I found myself / At a bar named Jesus / Ooh, yeah (bar named Jesus),” the powerful chorus goes. 

Listeners get an equal dose of Doleac and Rhett’s vocal prowess as both artists swap verses over stunning acoustics and gentle guitar picking, sharing their stimulating message in hopes of connecting with folks everywhere. As it turns out, “Bar Named Jesus” did reach one individual in a big way before Doleac and Rhett even got to lay down their lines in the studio. 

The Emotional Encounter That Came As A Result Of ‘Bar Named Jesus’

While solo performing “Bar Named Jesus,” Doleac shared the story of how Rhett agreed to be a part of the track, telling his Live in the Vineyard Goes Country audience about a heartwarming moment Rhett shared with a homeless man that he’ll likely never forget. 

“[Thomas] was driving his truck down Hillsboro Road, which is the busiest road in Nashville… And he came to a red light, had [‘Bar Named Jesus’] turned up all the way,” Doleac began.  “And a homeless man was sitting at the base of this red light… The homeless man stood up and asked Thomas, ‘What is that song you’re listening to?’”

Doleac went on to say that Rhett then ushered the homeless man to “come over to his window, lean in and listen to this song with him.”

“The light turned green, traffic’s rolling by, they’re listening to ‘Bar Named Jesus,’ and this homeless man starts crying,” Doleac continued. “And then Thomas started crying. That’s when Thomas called me and told me that ‘yes,’ he wanted to be a part of this song. And I just thought that story was such a God moment …. That is such a special thing that happened. And I think Jesus works in special ways like that.”

@countrynow.com @Adam Doleac shares the incredible story of how a chance encounter with a homeless man inspired @Thomas Rhett to collaborate with him on “Bar Named Jesus” #liveinthevineyard #litvgoescountry ♬ original sound – CountryNow.com

Landing Dream Collaborator In Thomas Rhett

Of getting Rhett to accompany him on the track, Doleac said, “If I could dream up a dream feature on this song, it would’ve been Thomas Rhett. And so I started with him, and luckily he said ‘yes.’ It’s been cool to get to work with [him], and he’s somebody that I look up to as far as an artist and a family guy and a superstar that keeps his family involved the way that I would want to do it as well. So it’s been cool to get to work with him, and learn some things and have him on the song.”

Detailing how “Bar Named Jesus” came together in the writing room, Doleac said he and his collaborators worked intricately through the lyrics line by line, ensuring that every word lived up to the title of the song and the message he wanted to share with his fans.  

“It’s one of those titles that could be too preachy and maybe get a little cheesy,” Doleac acknowledged of the title for the song. “[When] you have ‘Bar’ and ‘Jesus’ in the same title, you’ve got to be a little bit careful with that. So we started with the chorus and with ‘where the well ain’t whiskey and it don’t run dry,’ and ‘there’s always room for one more inside,’ and just [went] line by line. We kind of checked off [saying] ‘That’s a good line,’ [and] ‘That’s a good line,’” he continued.

“We got that chorus, and then we decided to put it in the third person as a story of this guy who had a picture of his daughter on the background of his phone and shares custody with her mom, and just kind of problems that we all know everybody’s been through. We put it in the third person, so it would be as relatable as possible, and it’s been really special.”

Doleac Reflects On His Journey As An Independent Artist, Teases New Music

“Bar Named Jesus” is one of many tracks that Doleac hopes to share in the coming month as he continues to enjoy complete creative control for releasing music following his 2023 departure from Sony Music Nashville and his entrance into the independent world. 

“Being independent has changed my life in such a cool way. I mean, it has. It’s allowed me to be a dad at the same time as putting out music and to be able to provide that way, which has been so special. There are no rules. I can put out a song next week if I want. That’s been what’s so fun about it, and I’m having more fun than I’ve ever had making music,” Doleac said. “There have been other deals that have come along and offers. But I’m happy where I am right now and waiting for the right thing to come along.”

“[There’s] going to be a lot of new music coming. There’ll be some more singles coming out. There’ll be a full record later this year, and I’m going to keep that up,” he continued. “I have no shortage of songs I love, so there’s no reason not to put them out if you ask me. So lots of new music is coming for the rest of the year. For sure.”

The post Adam Doleac Shares The ‘God Moment’ That Led Thomas Rhett To Join Him On New Duet, ‘Bar Named Jesus’ [Exclusive] appeared first on Country Now.