Thompson Square singer's dad dies; shows canceled

CAITLIN KING
FILE - In this Oct. 27, 2011 photo, musicians Keifer Thompson, left, and Shawna Thompson, of the group Thompson Square, pose for a portrait in Los Angeles. The husband-wife team are canceling their upcoming performances after Shawna Thompson's father died Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012 in Alabama. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, file)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Husband and wife duo Thompson Square are canceling their upcoming performances after Shawna Thompson's father died Thursday night.

The duo's publicist, Natalie Kilgore, confirmed the news in a statement. It said George Michael "Mickey" McIlwain died in Alabama after "a valiant battle with cancer." The statement said Shawna and her family, including husband Keifer, were by his side when he died.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

The duo was scheduled to play the Country Radio Seminar "New Faces" show Friday night in Nashville. They are also an opening act on Lady Antebellum's "Own The Night" tour. Singer David Nail will be filling in for the duo this weekend.

Grammy-nominated Thompson Square is known for hits including the No. 1 "Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not?"