January 2006 Bluesletter

RON THOMPSON’S BLUESLETTER
Winter 2005/2006 Edition
Carolyn Phillips, Contributing Editor
www.rtblues.com

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2005 was a wonderful year for Ron and 2006 looks even better! Ron sends his gratitude to all of you who attended his shows, bought his CDs and other merchandise, and told your friends about him. Ron also wants to thank all the venues that hired him so fans could come out and enjoy the music. RT sends a special thanks to all those folks who hired Ron for private events and gave their friends, families, and co-workers a special show. Ron is extremely grateful to the hundreds of DJs in more than 20 countries worldwide who are playing “Still Resisting” and “Magic Touch.” See “Year in Review” for a complete rundown of all the good fortune that came Ron’s way in 2005.

Ron and His Resistors (Rudy Parris and Danny Camarena) will be heading to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on January 8th to join the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise, the World's only fully-chartered Blues Cruise on the high seas. Stops include Belize, Jamaica, Mexico, and the Grand Caymans. Ron will perform four times on the ship for lucky blues fans from all over the world. Cruisers will be treated to 60 scheduled performances by various blues artists, plus the most incredible jam sessions they've ever witnessed, all while dancing at the front of the stage until sunrise. These intimate shows will go on for the entire week, and cannot be seen at any land festival anywhere!
Even if you are not joining this year’s Blues Cruise, you can still join the fun through XM radio. XM radio will be broadcasting live from the ship three times during the week, from 3-6PM EST, on January 9, 11, and 13. Ron and His Resistors are scheduled to play at 4:45PM on the 13th, so tune in and enjoy!
If you are not an XM radio subscriber, you can obtain a free 3-day trial and enjoy their spectacular broadcasts from the comfort of your own computer. Go to http://xmro.xmradio.com/xstream/index.jsp for more details!

RON THOMPSON IN THE SPOTLIGHT AT SONICBIDS

Yup! Ron was picked as one of the “In the Spotlight” artists on Sonicbids.com and ran from December 26th through January 1st. Check it Ron’s Sonicbids Electronic Press Kit, which includes hot live video footage from the Bruce Latimer Show! If you don't see Ron, just scroll through "In the Spotlight" on the right side of the page.

REAL BLUES HONORS RON WITH THREE AWARDS!

Ron Thompson was named Real Blues magazine’s Best Live West Coast Blues Act, Best West Coast Blues Slide Guitarist, and Best West Coast Blues Guitarist/Modern for 2004. Thanks, Real Blues, for the accolades and that stellar review by esteemed writer Andy Grigg.

YEAR IN REVIEW

Ron almost forgot to have the blues this year, because so many good things continued to happen in 2005. Space limits us on including everything, but here are some of the highlights from the last 12 months.
JANUARY: “Still Resisting” was released to glowing reviews, including Lee Hildebrand’s Bay Guardian piece, Andy Grigg’s Real Blues review, and many more.
FEBRUARY: Ron completed the last of seven CD release parties for “Still Resisting,” at Café Boogaloo in Hermosa Beach, Biscuits and Blues in San Francisco, the Mojo Lounge in Fremont, the Sutter Street Café in Stockton, the Fat Cat in Modesto, JJ’s in San Jose, and Rancho Nicasio in Marin.
MARCH: “Still Resisting” aired on radio stations all over the world and sold thousands of copies.
APRIL: “Still Resisting” was chosen as a “Top 15 Clicks to Pick” on XM Satellite radio, on the Bluesville channel.
MAY: Bill Medley, surviving Righteous Brother and Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductee, came out to enjoy an evening of Ron’s entertainment at Pappy & Harriet’s in the Palm Springs area. The crowd went crazy when Bill joined Ron on stage for two incredible blues tunes!
JUNE: Ron was honored to be the special musical talent on Bruce Latimer’s 700th television show. The 700th show won two Western Access Video Excellence (WAVE) awards—one for “Best Live Show” and one for “Best Talk Show/Entertainment.” The Bruce Latimer Show can be viewed on Wednesday and Friday evenings in 18 Peninsula cities from Brisbane to Mountain View, and also in Monterey, Gilroy, Aptos, Watsonville, and Tracy. Check your local listings for times.
JULY: Each of Ron’s performances is not to be missed, but he rocked the roof off at the Marin County Fair’s Blues Festival. Many thanks to Bob Brown, Angela Strehli, and Queenie Taylor who brought Ron to Marin and created one of the best Marin Blues Festivals to date!
AUGUST: RealBlues magazine awarded Ron with: Best Live West Coast Blues Act, Best West Coast Blues Slide Guitarist, and Best West Coast Blues Guitarist/Modern for 2004. “Still Resisting” was listed as one of Real Blues magazine’s “Top 100 Releases of 2005.”
SEPTEMBER: Ron appeared at the world famous San Francisco Blues Festival as a headliner with the “Legends of Chicago Blues,” which also starred James Cotton, Hubert Sumlin, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Bob Stroger, and Elvin Bishop. Charlie Musselwhite and Kim Wilson showed up to jam with this amazing lineup.
OCTOBER: Ron was selected to perform on the January 2006 Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise.
NOVEMBER: The Bluesletter now has more than 1000 subscribers!
DECEMBER: Ron continues to perform and completes his 165th gig for the year! Ron is selected as a spotlight artist on Sonicbids.

WHAT’S AHEAD IN 2006?

Hold onto your socks! If 2005 was busy for Ron, 2006 promises to be even more of a full plate. Beginning in January with the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise, Ron will be performing all over the place next year. Ron is excited to once again collaborate with Mick Fleetwood in performance and recording in Maui in the spring. A Midwest/Canada tour is planned for the summer, including the Bayfront Blues Festival in Minnesota. Ron will be continuing to expand his career as a solo artist, making appearances at the No Name Bar in Sausalito, the Poor House Bistro in San Jose, the Le Chai Wine Lounge in Visalia, Caffe Trieste in Berkeley, Zebulon’s Lounge in Petaluma, Mission Coffee Roasting Company in Fremont, and many more! And of course, Ron will keep on entertaining with His Resistors at many other venues and festivals in 2006. Be sure and check Ron’s online calendar often, as new performances are being added almost every day.

FROM RON, HIS RESISTORS, AND STAFF: Thank you for all your support and love. Ron’s successes would simply not happen without you. May the coming year bring each of you happiness, good health, good friends, and good music. We will see you on the dance floor soon!