Robert Thomas and the Sessionmen Cast a Line With Wit Groove and Americana Spirit

Robert Thomas has never shied away from writing songs that tell a story. With a career spanning decades and a catalogue that includes work for Kenny Rogers, Bonnie Raitt, Joe Cocker, and The Chicks, the 2025 International Acoustic Music Award winner has a knack for turning quirky ideas into enduring tunes. Now, with his band the sessionmen, Thomas reels in something truly memorable with Cast a Line, a playful Americana track that combines groove, warmth, and a healthy dose of humor.

The song began not in a studio or on stage, but in a moment of oddball fatherly wisdom back in 1976. “My dad gave me some dating advice,” Thomas recalls. “He said finding love was like fishing—you cast out and wait for a bite.” At the time, Thomas was a young man in Nova Scotia, more likely to be found with a guitar in hand than a fishing rod. The advice stuck with him, not because it was especially useful, but because it was just strange enough to make a great lyric. Years later, in 1990, that offhand comment became the seed for a track that would outlast most love letters and mixtapes.

With its breezy rhythm and Little Feat-style swagger, Cast a Line doesn’t just nod to Americana tradition—it dances with it. The track features the kind of groove that settles in immediately and stays with you long after the last note. It's no surprise that the song has become a fan favorite at live shows and a favorite among other artists. Covered widely and often requested, Cast a Line is proof that sometimes, the goofiest ideas are the ones that hook the deepest.

Thomas is the first to admit that the song’s success caught him a little off guard. “I always get a chuckle every time we perform this song or every time I open my SOCAN statement,” he says. “I feel like I got away with a bit of a bank robbery, in that such a goofy idea actually turned into one of our most popular songs.” But underneath the humor lies a writer who understands timing, tone, and emotional nuance. Cast a Line might be built around a tongue-in-cheek metaphor, but it’s delivered with sincerity and skill.

Supporting Thomas on the track and throughout his live performances are the sessionmen, a rotating lineup of musical heavyweights who bring decades of experience and undeniable chemistry to every stage they grace. Among them are Ray Legere and Jon Arsenault, musicians whose résumés include collaborations with Alison Krauss, Doc Watson, and The Chieftains. Their instrumentation brings Cast a Line to life with a richness that blends folk, bluegrass, and rootsy Americana. Together, they create a sound that’s familiar yet fresh, traditional but never tired.

The strength of Cast a Line lies not only in its musicianship but in its storytelling. Thomas has long been compared to classic American raconteurs like Mark Twain and Garrison Keillor, artists who understood how humor could deepen rather than distract from a narrative. His songs aren’t just stories—they’re conversations, confessions, and winks across the campfire. With Cast a Line, that charm shines brightly, pairing a laid-back groove with lyrics that are both silly and wise.

Over the years, Robert Thomas and the sessionmen have become fixtures in folk and Americana circles across North America and Europe. With numerous Entertainer of the Year and songwriter nominations from the East Coast Music Association, they’ve built a reputation not just as skilled musicians, but as entertainers who connect with their audiences in meaningful and memorable ways. Rodney Crowell may have said it best when he remarked, “These boys know what they’re doing.”

Cast a Line is more than a clever song with a catchy hook. It is a reminder that creativity often begins in unexpected places, that humor can be a bridge to connection, and that the best songs sometimes come from not taking things too seriously. With groove, grit, and a grin, Robert Thomas and the sessionmen invite listeners to throw their line out and enjoy the ride.