When country artist Adam Doleac last chatted with Celeb Secrets, he told us he was taking his time with his music. Fast forward to 2025, and he’s clearly done waiting. The singer/songwriter kicked off the year strong and just dropped what he calls “the most important song” he’s ever written — “Bar Named Jesus” — and even brought Thomas Rhett along for the ride.
Yep, that Thomas Rhett. And believe us when we say this collab did not come together the way you’d expect…
“I texted him at 10:30 at night while sitting around a bonfire with my brother-in-law,” Adam tells Celeb Secrets, laughing. “He didn’t respond for three months. Then one morning my phone rings… and he’s crying.”
Okay, back it up — let’s get into this wild ride.
“Bar Named Jesus” was one of those ideas that lived in Adam’s head for months. Despite bringing the title into writing sessions over and over, it never clicked until he linked up with trusted collaborators Josh Jenkins and Chris LaCorte — two heavy-hitters in country songwriting. And that’s when the real magic happened.
“It took us two days to write it, and even on the first day, I knew how special it was,” Adam shares. “The message behind it is so important — it’s about redemption, second chances, and knowing there’s no such thing as too far gone.”
Let that line sink in: “There’s no such thing as too far gone.” It’s more than just lyrics — it’s the heartbeat of the entire song, and something Adam says he’s seen resonate deeply with fans.
“We all make mistakes,” he says. “Nobody’s ever just made one or two. And knowing there’s someone — or somewhere — that always takes you back… that’s powerful.”
View this post on Instagram
So how do you take a song like that to the next level? Easy: you text Thomas Rhett. Just… don’t expect an instant reply.
“My brother-in-law had just heard the song and started crying. He said, ‘You have to send this to Thomas,’” Adam recalls. “So he gave me Thomas’ number and I texted it right then and there. But then… nothing.”
Three months passed. Nada. Until one random morning.
“I was in the living room playing with my son Jack when my phone rings. It’s Thomas Rhett — and he’s crying. I’ve never even spoken to him before. I asked, ‘Are you okay?’ and he goes, ‘I just listened to “Bar Named Jesus.”’”
But it gets even better.
“He told me he was driving down Hillsboro Road with the windows down, song blasting. A homeless man hears the song, comes up to the window and asks what it is. So Thomas lets him listen, right there at the red light. They both start crying.”
And that’s when TR said yes. “He told me, ‘I just experienced the impact of this song — I want to be a part of it,’” Adam says. “It was honestly divine timing.”
With songwriting credits for artists like Kane Brown, Gabby Barrett, and Darius Rucker, Adam Doleac is no stranger to giving away hits. But when it came to “Bar Named Jesus,” there was zero hesitation — he wasn’t letting this one go.
“This is the first song in my entire career that I told my team, ‘Don’t pitch it. This one’s mine,’” he admits. “I just had a gut feeling — this could be a career song for me.”
And while he’s written plenty of love songs for weddings and viral videos, this was a different kind of love. A deeper kind.
“It’s the first time I’ve written about Jesus,” he shares. “If this song leads even one person back to Him, it’s already done more than I ever could’ve hoped.”
View this post on Instagram
If you’re wondering what Adam Doleac is up to these days beyond releasing faith-filled bangers… the answer is: living his dream life.
He’s on his Dream House Acoustic Tour, traveling the country with his wife MacKinnon and their one-year-old son Jack. The tour is intimate, raw, and exactly what he wants to be doing right now.
“We’re doing things our way. No pressure, no big production — just us, a guitar, and the fans,” he says. “It’s been so rewarding.”
And while social media might tempt artists to chase trends or viral moments, Adam says he’s finally learned to drown out the noise.
“If I could tell my younger self anything, it would be: don’t chase what works — chase what’s real. The more you stick to who you really are, the more people are going to feel it.”
View this post on Instagram
Don’t worry — “Bar Named Jesus” isn’t the last we’ll hear from Adam this year. A full-length album is on the way, and he’s cooking up more acoustic shows in cities across the country.
“I don’t have a release date just yet, but the plan is to keep going through the end of the year. Then we’ll bring the full band and tour production back out,” he teases. “But for now, it’s just about connecting with people the way this song has.”
Confirming that the project is officially finished, Adam is giving a glimpse as to what people can expect from it by releasing his brand new single “Playing Catch,” which you can pre-save here. Dropping this Friday (May 23), the heartfelt, coming-of-age tune — according to Adam — “can make a grown man cry.”
“This is a song for all the baseball dads,” he says on social media.
With “Bar Named Jesus,” Adam Doleac isn’t just sharing a song—he’s opening up a whole new chapter of honesty, faith, and purpose in his artistry. It’s a reminder that even in the most unexpected places—like a bar where the well ain’t whiskey—redemption, healing, and connection can be found. From viral covers to crafting one of the year’s most emotionally resonant country collabs, Doleac is proving he’s not just one to watch—he’s one to believe in.
Watch the music video for “Bar Named Jesus” below and don’t forget to let us know what you think of the song by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sliding into our DMs on Instagram at @celebsecretscountry.
