A Family Jam Session: A Q&A with Musical Father-Son Duo

Atlanta-based Grammy-winning songwriter Theron Thomas and his 12-year-old son, nicknamed Sumo, have partnered to create “Sumo’s World.” Their songs feature playful beats to get kids and parents moving and grooving as they learn numbers, ABCs, weekdays and more. You can listen to the EPs “Let’s Learn” and “Mommy’s Boy” now. Atlanta Parent spoke to the duo about music, family life and their special father-son bond.

Q: What inspired your interest in music?

T: My parents used to play a lot of hip hop, American R&B. My brother and I started a group when we were little and stuck with it. I’ve been doing music since I was 6 or 7. Since this kid could talk, Sumo’s telling me, “You got to get me in the studio.” When you’re in the music business, you want to keep your kids as far away from the music business as possible. He’s 6 years old, and he says, “I’ve been asking you to do music for a long time, but I know why you won’t let me. You’re afraid I’ll steal all your fans.” OK, we’ll make music!

Q: How did this collaboration work?

T: We started making the album when he was 6. We had a great idea to make it animated. If he’s a cartoon, he can be a kid forever. He doesn’t have to be stressed or pressured like child celebrities do. All the songs were his ideas. We did the majority of the album at the house. He could come down to the basement and sing. His cousins did background vocals, and then, they would go play. It’s been a cool journey, and we’ve been having a great time.

S: It’s really fun coming to the studio and singing the songs. I like to do it.

Q: What inspired the songs?

S: He used to ask me what did I want to sing about today? I would say random things. For a couple of them, it was like, “What’s your favorite animal?”

T: With the new songs, he’s writing a lot of verses. He understands it’s hard and not as easy as it may look for me. I’ve been doing it since I was your age, and now, I’m 43. If you keep at it, one day, you’re going to wake up and be like, “Oh, I’m better than my dad.” I look forward to that.

Q: What do you enjoy about working together?

S: It’s super fun. I’m glad this is his studio, and I can really do whatever I want. I can go in between the rooms.

T: I had a great dad. He never missed anything. I envy that. For me, it was important for us to have time together. It’s fascinating to watch Sumo grow. I’m in a group with my brother called R. City. When we’re at the studio, he’s looking at his dad and his uncle make music for a living, and he gets to see it firsthand — the hard work, the time, the dedication. I love music; it’s cool to have somebody be into it.

Q: What have you learned from this project?

S: I learned that it’s harder than I thought it was to just come up with things off the top of my head. It was hard to stay on beat if the beat is fast, because I don’t sing very fast.

T: It’s definitely more difficult to work with your family than it is with a stranger. This is my son, and I love him. Sometimes, finding the right way to tell your kid they’re doing the wrong thing, it’s weird. I’m teaching him the best players in the world are the most coachable. When you’re trying to do something in life, if you’re willing to be coached, you can be successful longer.

Q: How is making children’s music different?

T: When he was a little kid, hearing the songs over and over on a six-hour car ride to Orlando would drive you crazy. This music is only for kids. Adult music is only for grown-ups. It’s selfish. The whole goal was kids’ music that adults can think, “This isn’t for me, but it’s a good little beat.” There was thought behind this music. We wanted to try to involve the entire family, because we wanted to make it something that’s for children, tolerable by parents.

Q: What’s next for your collaboration?

T: We’re working on a Christmas album right now. One of his favorite songs is Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” and he sung that one. He wanted to do a “don’t be bad, don’t get on the naughty list” type of song, and he did most of those lyrics. I can’t wait for people to hear it.

Q: What do you enjoy doing together as a family?

S: My brothers and I are really big into action and anime and superheroes. We have a whole closet dedicated to board games. Every time we travel, we go to a museum. I like to ask questions and tell facts.

Q: As a parent, how do you show your kids you are open to their interests?

T: You got to watch for the signs. Kids are loud. Even if you’ve got a quiet kid, they will show you their interests. I knew at 9 that I wanted to be here; Sumo knew earlier. When you hang around your kids, they know themselves. You got to get out of the way to allow them to say and be who they’re going to be. Then, facilitate a safe space for them. He’s around people who love him and want to see him win, even when being corrected, even when it’s a hard day.

Q: What advice would you give new dads?

T: If you’re having more than one kid, the first kid is always the test run. You feel like you’re going to break this child. The second kid, it gets easier. If you’re showing up, you’re not doing it wrong. Listen to your kids. People read a bunch of books, go to a therapist, they watch a bunch of movies, and listen to podcasts. I think kids know what they like. If you just listen to your children and what they’re into, you can be a better parent.

Q: What’s the best part about being a dad?

T: You live forever. My dad passed, and I always tell people, “If you never met my dad, hey, you just met him.” I’m so much like him, and I remind so many people of him. What he taught me, I pass on with the additional things I’ve learned in my journey. Doing right by your kids can help you live forever. Once we’ve passed on, we live through those stories.

Q: What’s the most difficult part about being a dad?

T: Thinking you’re failing all the time. I travel so much for work. Am I there enough for them? Your daughter’s in her room crying, and you’re thinking, “I know she’s crying now, but I just did something that was good for her, right?” I’m going to get it wrong, because there’s no guidelines or blueprint for parenting. Hopefully, I get it more right than wrong.

Q: What parenting lesson did you learn from your own dad?

T: My parents were fire. My brother and I hit the parent lottery. I grew up extremely poor, but we grew up with joy. My dad would kiss me on my face until he died — “I love you. How you doing?” Same way I am with my kids. I never lacked love.

Q: Do you have a Father’s Day tradition?

T: I just want my kids to call me. On Father’s Day, if my wife just chills with me, and my kids all give me a hug and tell me they love me, I feel like I might be doing something right.