In addition to teaming up with Tommy Castro in a few weeks, Ron has a number of other performances scheduled. For a full listing of dates, check the online calendar which is always current. Ron will be playing some great venues, including McGrath’s in Alameda, Rancho Nicasio, the Black Oak Casino, Headfeathers in Napa, Jazz & Blues By the Bay in Sausalito (hyperlink), JJ’s in San Jose, Soho (formerly Zebulons) in Petaluma, the Mojo Lounge in Fremont, and many more.

Heads up, Midwest Fans! We are overjoyed to announce that Ron will appear at the Bayfront Blues Festival in Minnesota in August, and the Prairie Dog Blues Festival in Wisconsin in July. We are working on scheduling a full-blown tour that will bring Ron back to the heartland of America. Keep checking the calendar for updates.

Here are opportunities during the next few weeks for you to catch Ron in a town near you (and yes, Porky’s fans—every Thursday you WILL see Ron in Fresno):

April 10, 8:00 PM DUO WITH THE FABULOUS MITCH MOUGHAN
The Bistro, Hayward
No cover charge.
A major Hop [beer!] Spot and Music Venue in the East Bay.

April 15, 9:00 PM
Le Chai Wine Lounge, Visalia
The Central Valley’s finest wine lounge.

April 19, 9:00 PM
Biscuits and Blues, San Francisco
$10 cover charge.
“Biscuits and Blues has been voted America's #1 blues nightclub by the Memphis Blues Foundation, the WC Handy Organization, and The San Francisco Blues Society. It is San Francisco's home to great live music in an intimate setting. Everyone gets a front-row seat!”

April 21, 7:00 PM
Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, Princeton-by-the-Sea
No cover charge.
“ A low-key, surf-bum hangout, but with stepped-up skill in the kitchen and a range of appealing house-made beers on tap…The whole place has a hippie-rock vibe….Dogs on their best behavior are welcome on the patio, and kids of even marginal behavior are tolerated graciously.”

April 28, 8:00 PM SOLO!
Caffe Trieste, Berkeley
No cover charge.
This venue is an extension of the famous North Beach beatnik hangout, credited with serving the first cappuccino in San Francisco. The Berkeley Caffe Trieste continues the grand tradition of the best coffee and the finest music in the Bay Area.
The SF Chronicle recently published a wonderful article on Caffe Trieste’s 50th anniversary. Check it out.

April 29, 9:00 PM & April 30, 5:00 PM
The Florence, Niles
No cover charge.
“A usual sign of life at The Florence is an impressive array of motorcycles parked in front of the establishment. The tavern has become a favorite stop for motorcycle clubs but continues its tradition of friendly banter and welcome for everyone (over age 21). The walls are decorated with an eclectic mix of collectible western paraphernalia, pictures and other ‘old west’ stuff. For visitors, it is a perfect place to stop for a drink while enjoying the ambiance of Niles.”

May 10, 8:30 PM SOLO!
No Name Bar, Sausalito
No cover charge.
“Local folklore tells the story of how the No Name got its name. It is said that a business that had no name pays no taxes, well at least back in the day when this place opened up. The bar with no name has become the No Name Bar. The musicians that frequent this place are some of the Bay Areas best jazz musicians. Here you can see them close up. They have a back patio where you can pull out your smokes which is rare these days. I always have a great time here!"

RON IN THE NEWS

The Tri-City Voice in Fremont, CA, published a wonderful article on Ron this week, written by Linda Stone. Check it out! Local legend brews the blues. Thanks, Linda, and the Tri-City Voice, for such a spectacular article.

We were tickled pink by the Porterville Recorder’s coverage of Ron in February. Big thanks to John Tipton for making this story happen and making it happen so well.

 

That old-style rhythm and blues
Ron Thompson blows the crowd away at a concert Friday in Visalia

By Sarah Elizabeth Villicana
February 16, 2006

Photo by John Tipton © 2006

VISALIA—The blues have never felt so good.

Blues musician Ron Thompson uses his guitar like a weapon; striking his audience with an undeniable urge to tap their feet, shake their heads from side to side and make a dash for the dance floor.

At Le Chai Wine Lounge, 209 W. Main St., Visalia, Thompson’s brand of rock n’ roll blues inspired a sharp change in the atmosphere. On an otherwise calm Friday night, the posh wine lounge was transformed by the sound of a slide guitar, taking on the feel of a swanky New Orleans nightclub.

Thompson is a living legend and has shared the stage with musical greats such as John Lee Hooker, B.B. King, Jimmy Reed, and Etta James.

A couple of hours before the show, Thompson gave his take on the music scene, what he listens to, and how he’s grown as a musician.

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Thompson has been in the business of playing the blues for more than 30 years.

Since his beginnings as a musician in the 1970s, hitting up bars and nightclubs in the East Bay, Thompson has seen the ebb and flow of musical development across the globe.

“The popularity goes up and down, but blues will never die,” Thompson said, wearing hip black and red wing tips and his trademark porkpie hat.

For five years, Thompson toured around the country and throughout Europe with Mississippi native “The Boogie Man,” John Lee Hooker.

“I learned a lot from him in five years,” Thompson said. “I got to travel all around the world and it was a great experience.”

Thompson’s discography list includes nearly 40 albums that the rhythm and blues man has appeared on. Most notably, he has recorded with Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac, Bonnie Raitt, and Carlos Santana.

Does he have a favorite?

“There are so many,” Thompson said. “You stumped me on that one.”

With a rich encyclopedia of blues legends as his musical influences, you might be surprised to know what Thompson has in his CD player.

“I listen to all kinds of different stuff,” Thompson said. “A lot of modern rock and newer stuff. Actually, I am really into rap music.”

This article also appeared in Spanish in the “Noticiero Semanal”( Voluem 8 Numero 4,) a publication of the Porterville Recorder.

© 2006 Porterville Recorder

Copyright 2006 Ron Thompson