RON THOMPSON'S BLUESLETTER
March 2007 Edition
If it has been awhile since you've gotten your RT fix, we understand. Of course, Ron cannot play every city on the globe, but he's going to be in a few new locations--and old ones too--and perhaps your own backyard!
Upcoming Gigs
Ron is working all over the map this year, and enjoys each and every performance, but there are some very special ones on the horizon:
Photo courtesy of the Rosebud Agency
Sunday, April 1
Opening for Booker T. Jones !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2209 Broadway, Redwood City, CA
Doors open at 7PM. Tickets are $18 advance, $20 at the door.
HURRY! Yes, folks, it is THAT Booker T! The MAN! You know--"Green Onions" and that ultimate car cruisin' song, "Hip Hug Her." Plus so much more, of course! Tickets are going FAST. Get yours today! Booker T and Ron will be one of those concerts that you will be talking about forever.
Terry Gross interviewed Booker T. on March 26 th on her NPR show, Fresh Air. Terry has been doing a series of great shows on soul music, focusing on Stax artists. The interviews, including Booker T's, are archived on the NPR website.
Friday, March 30
23 Petaluma Boulevard North, Petaluma, CA
Doors open at 7PM. Show begins at 8PM. Tickets are $17.
WHAT A SHOW!!!!!!!!!! Ron will be sharing the bill with the Tommy Castro Band ! But wait--there's more! The one and only Angela Strehli will be on hand as a special guest for Tommy! You know that Ron won't be able to resist joining the stage with two of his favorite blues artists! Don't miss it!
Friday, April 6
Blues for the Troops !
Santa Cruz County Veterans' Memorial Building
836 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA
$15 donation.
Ron will perform solo, and then with a full band.
No matter what your views are about the current war in Iraq, we know that you support our troops. Not This Time Vets is a 100% volunteer run organization whose mission is to provide programs for veterans which will assist them in a successful reintegration to civilian life. Not This Time Vets offers help with housing, job placement and career development, referral for post traumatic stress disorder counseling, and workshops for vets and their families. This amazing organization also offers general support and referrals to vets and their families, and plans to offer financial support for educational and vocational needs.
The proceeds from this concert will support the efforts of Not This Time Vets. This is possibly Ron's most important gig of 2007. If you cannot attend, we urge you to send a donation to:
Not This Time Vets
PO Box 592
Santa Cruz, CA 95061
Not This Time Vets is led by Donna Jacobs , the mother of an active duty Marine. The organization is absolutely non-political and takes no stance upon the Iraq War. This incredible organization simply wants to ensure that our troops currently serving in Iraq receive recognition and assistance upon their return to the United States.
Colorado & Beyond!!
On a lighter note, we are pleased to tell you that Ron will be making not one but two trips to Colorado this year! You Rocky Mountain fans have it made!
© Carolyn Phillips 2007
Special thanks go out to Gary & Margie Guesnier from Westminster, Colorado. We met Gary & Margie on last year's Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise--and ever since, Gary has been a one-man Ron Thompson promoter--helping to set up great gigs in Colorado!
Gary is a competitive barbecue chef and also a blues harp player (in fact, he joined Ron on stage recently at Biscuits and Blues in San Francisco--see photo). Gary produces several fantastic barbecue rubs known as Sweet Mama . Stock up soon for the upcoming warm weather barbecues by visiting the Savory Spice Shop online.
Ron's first trip back east will begin on Memorial Day weekend in Colorado, where he will be performing two days at the Beaver Creek Blues Festival . Also appearing are Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers and Joe Bonamassa . Since Ron will be halfway across the country by then, he is going to visit a bunch of his favorite Midwest venues, and will end up in Minneapolis at Famous Dave's on June 8 th. Ron will then appear at Famous Dave's BBQ & Blues Festival the very next day. Check Ron's online calendar to find out where he will be performing between the Rockies and the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes.
Ron will return to Colorado in September, headlining the Belvedere Blues Festival on September 8th. We will be adding some other performances in Colorado and nearby, so stay tuned.
More Performances
Ron is performing all over the place these days. Instead of us typing in all the wonderful venues, events, and festivals where he will be appearing, simply check his handy online calendar . And as always, double check it before you head out the door. Sometimes due to circumstances out of our control, things get canceled or re-scheduled at the last minute.
Ron Live on the Radio (again!)
Ron has several live radio interviews coming up in the next several weeks. He always plays a little guitar--so tune in wherever you are and enjoy!
Wednesday Blues with Noel with host Noel Hayes
KPOO-FM 89.5 , San Francisco
Wednesday, March 28 th 9AM-Noon
Blues with a Feeling, with host Byrd Hale
KZSU-FM 90.1, Stanford
Saturday, March 31 st , 11AM (approximately)
LIVE in the studio!
2 Steps from the Blues with host Charlie Lange
(Charlie is that great guy who sells so many cool blues CDs at blues festivals all over California--but you can also browse his online store, Bluebeat Music . Bluebeat Music carries over 10,000 blues titles from the latest releases to hard to find gems, and much more!)
KUSP-FM , 88.9, Santa Cruz
Friday, April 6 th , 2PM (approximately)
People can't resist... Resonator!
Many thanks to all the DJs around the world who are giving Resonator heavy airplay. Here are a few comments from DJs, reviewers, and others:
"On this CD...Ron shows off his ability to write songs...play several instruments solo, and then mix them all together to make this CD. This is quite a feat in itself!...Check out this well-done, all-solo acoustic album by Ron Thompson. Just keep in mind that this CD reflects only a small part of Ron's talent and style of music."
--Maria Bainer, for Southland Blues magazine, February 2007
© Darren Hanshaw 2007
"I aired 4 cuts from "Resonator" yesterday on my show and WOOOOOOOOOOOOOW! The phone rang off the hook (as I knew it would). Kudos to Ron, and tell him to never stop doing what he does...It is artists like him that, Do, Keep The Blues...ALIVE!"
-- Mike Flowers, Producer, "Mystic Mile" program, KZUM, Lincoln, Nebraska
"It was worth the wait! From the opening track of "Resonator" it is obvious that Ron is a masterful guitarist with huge skills and imagination. His music has the right feel and is so enjoyable!"
--Przemek Draheim, "The Voice of the Blues" radio program, Radio Sfera, Poland
" I debuted Ron's new "Resonator" CD on my broadcast last Sunday evening...It's excellent.."
-- Robert Barclay, "The Juke Joint" radio program, WCMU Public Radio Network, Michigan
"It is not that often that I listen to a CD and it makes me want to go right home and pick up my National guitar and try out a few tunes, but Ron's playing has that effect on me!"
--Eli Marcus, "Eli's Blues" radio program, National Public Radio Israel
"So much great Rock/Blues from around the globe (And don't us Blues Jocks just love it? You Betcha). But if you want to just chill and listen to some Great Tin Top Blues with one of the masters of the game ya, gotta get into this new album. Great album..Love it."
--"TECKA". Terry Iredale/Tecka's Tracks.HOTFM 106.7FM, Mildura, Victoria, Australia
Free Download of the Month from Ron
Ron has been sitting on a treasure trove of music that he has recorded in the studio and in live performance over the past 30+ years. To thank his many loyal fans who have supported him over the years, Ron is going to begin giving away a free download every month. Watch the website--we will have the first track uploaded and ready soon! Just think--in twelve months, you can have a "new" Ron Thompson CD.
Goodbye to Guitarsky
"I will remember you, as you will remember me. Peace."
-- Leonard William Gill
Sunrise: February 18, 1952, Sunset: October 4, 2006.
A heartfelt thanks to everyone who turned out in Berkeley on February 18th for a wonderful tribute to Leonard Gill on what would have been his 55th birthday-- Leonard Gill's Celebration of Life.
Leonard played bass and guitar with Ron for many years and is greatly missed.
The formal service for Leonard was much longer than expected, but very moving and worth every minute. Annie Patton did a marvelous job as Mistress of Ceremony, and Pastor Donna Heisser opened the service by calling for a standing ovation for Leonard, which, fittingly, lasted a very long, long time.
The fabulous Mz. Dee provided a touching a capella rendition of His Eye is on the Sparrow, and Marcel Smith belted out a spine-tingling version of A Change is Gonna Come. Marcel was a last minute pinch hitter for Roy Tyler of the Gospel Hummingbirds, who had that dreadful month-long flu bug that has been going around, and was unable to attend.
The service alternated between music and personal reflections from Leonard's many friends. Long time Resistor Main Man Larry Vann told some great stories and had the crowd rolling with laughter. Resistor and good friend Kelvin Dixon gave his own poignant remarks, and several other friends shared memories of Leonard with those gathered.
The service included an abundance of incredible music, including the Tee Fee Swamp Boogie Band, of which Leonard was a member for nine years; the Jackie Payne/Steve Edmonson Band; and Alvon Johnson.
As great as the live music was, the most special part of the day was listening to Leonard's last recordings, In the Stars, and I Will Remember You, in which Leonard definitely gives Barry White a big run for his money. I Will Remember You was preceded by candle lighting, and the last personal reflection was from Patrick Flynn, of Silverado Records in Sonoma. It was Patrick, who was a solid and loving friend to Leonard, especially in his final days, who produced Leonard's final CD. Patrick was kind enough to provide copies of Leonard's final CD to all the guests.
Ron Thompson, Larry Vann, Jimmy Pugh , and Henry Oden took the stage next, and continued the somber and reflective mood with several tunes, including Ron's Room for One More Sinner . Jimmy Pugh and Ron were smokin' hot, as were Larry and Henry.
Mz. Dee took the stage and turned the mood around to joy by singing Wang Dang Doodle. Those who had been crying and melancholy only minutes before took to the dance floor and rejoiced with their feet. Leonard's beautiful and loving fiancé, Tressies Wells (aka Tre Bluez), wasn't up to singing (Tre is a fantastic soul singer for those of you who don't know), but she led the dancers in celebration and love for Leonard.
Many other musicians and singers joined the stage with Ron, Dee & Company.
Thanks to all who so generously donated their talents and time to make this day such a loving and meaningful tribute to Leonard's life and music.
Steve Gannon not only performed, but loaned his guitar amp to the event as well. Larry Vann, Clay Thompson (Brownsville Blues Festival), Scott Duncan, Brad Sears, Darryl Webb all provided backline and sound.
A team of absolutely kick-ass women joined together and produced this celebration in Leonard's honor : Tre Wells, Annie Patton, Margo Goodwin-Gordon, Charmaine Harris, Yvette Shaw, Ms. Dee, Carolyn Phillips, and Jackie McCort.
Many old and new friends showed up to pay their respects to Leonard--so many that it would be impossible to list everyone who attended, but some of the folks were: Francis Clay, Celia, Jeannie, AJ, Liz Ratcliffe, Deb Lubin, Betty Jones, Bill Stokes, Ron Hacker, Monte Bradshaw, (who was a real friend and helper to Leonard in his last months), Lonnie Flynn, Rocky Barbanica, Jack Cohen, Julie Dixon, Sue Thompson, Joseph Jordan, Wanda Molinari, Bobby Dirt, Deakon, and many, many others.
Thank you to everyone who contributed so much of themselves and made Leonard's Celebration of Life a perfect final salute to the man BB King considered "one of the best guitar players on the planet." BB gave Leonard the nickname, "Guitarsky."
© Ron Thompson 2007