THE RON THOMPSON BLUESLETTER
May 2004 Edition
Touring with the Tracy Nelson & Angela Strehli Band
Ron will be hitting the summer concert and club circuit with blues divas Angela Strehli and Tracy Nelson. Angela asked Ron to be part of her blues review. Ron will act as backup guitarist for Angela and Tracy, in addition to bringing some of his own material to the show as a featured artist. The tour starts on Memorial Day weekend at the Santa Cruz Blues Festival on May 29th. At Rancho Nicasio, May 31st, "Blues Broads on the Lawn" (THEIR title, not ours!) will feature Angela, Tracy, AND Linda Tillery. The band will headline major blues festivals in Oregon over the July 4th weekend. Then they head north to Moose Country to play blues festivals in Ottawa, Toronto, and Edmonton during July and August. This talented ensemble will also entertain in Southern California. Check Ron's website for more information.
These concerts are a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness a tremendous collaboration of some the best blues musicians and vocalists alive today. If you have the opportunity to be a part of history in the making and can attend one of these shows, do not miss out!
For more information on:
♪ Angela Strehli: http://www.angelastrehli.com/
♪ Tracy Nelson: http://www.tracynelson.com/TracyNelson/index.htm
♪ Linda Tillery: http://www.culturalheritagechoir.com/linda_tillery.shtml
New CD
We keep promising a new CD ó we are all starving for new RT recorded music! Help for your RT jonesin' is on the way. Between frequent gigs, Ron and music producer Lenny Smith (who produced Ron's last CD, "Magic Touch") are squeezing time in at the studio. Producer Jimmy Pugh, who is also keyboardist for the Robert Cray Band, and Ron have collaborated on several tunes. Mick Fleetwood and Ron will lay down some tracks after Fleetwood Mac finishes their current tour in July. Talents of other friends will be added as well.
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
"He's ok, but he's no Ron Thompson!"
~ Ashley, Age 7
When asked how she liked Beethoven
DVDs and "Resistorette" tank tops here soon!
Tanks and T-Shirts: As promised, the brand new Ron Thompson "Resistorette" tank tops for women will be here soon, just in time for all of those summer outdoor blues festivals. The stylish tops are soft black cotton with violet lettering. We plan to have these tops ready by late spring and they will be available through the website or at Ron's gigs. Also, we continue to offer the popular "Magic Touch" t-shirt that many of you wear proudly at Ron's performances. Just like the Model T, you have your choice of all RT clothing in black or black.
Videos and DVDs: Ron's unforgettable performances have been captured numerous times on camera over the years. By demand of fans everywhere, we are finally putting together a video compilation of some of his best performances (how do you choose?), including recent footage that showcases Ron's talents as a solo performer. This incredible historical record of Ron's unbelievable live shows will blow you away. You may spot some of your favorite former and current Resistors, such as Larry Vann, Byron Sutton, Bill Campbell (the guy that taught Stevie Ray and Jimmie Vaughan to play), Keith Crossan (Tommy Castro Band), and many more. You may even spot yourself! The video will include footage from the May 1984 North Beach Photographic Art Fair at Fort Mason in San Francisco; the 1984 San Francisco Blues Festival, Slim's in 1995, and more. Volume One of this compilation will be available in both DVD and VHS formats just in time for the holidays!
Please keep checking Ron's website to find out how you can obtain RT clothing, music (available now), or DVDs/videos.
Ron in solo performance
Ron and His Resistors have a very busy summer ahead, with many exciting clubs and blues festivals booked. Ron is especially looking forward to headlining as a solo performer at the Boonville Folk-Blues Festival on July 10th. http://www.mendocinoguitars.com/boonvilleblues.html. In addition to Ron, scheduled musicians include: blues legend Steve Mann, accompanied by former Hot Tuna and Jefferson Airplane sideman Will Scarlett on harmonica, and Jake Fussell on second guitar. Also appearing will be country blues guitar wizard John Brandeburg, and Anderson Valley bluesman and KZYX&Z radio DJ, Ragtime Rick Blaufeld. Rick is the producer of this distinctive festival, which is now in its third year. For more information, call Mendocino Music at 707-895-FRET or email rick@mendocinoguitars.com. If you would like to see what Ron can do in solo performance, mark your calendar now for the Boonville Folk-Blues Festival. You won't be disappointed!
Steve Mann,
A word about the calendar
We try our best to keep Ron's concert calendar as up to date as possible. However, due to circumstances beyond our control, gigs sometimes get changed or cancelled. Be sure to check the website one more time before you head out the door to make sure Ron is going to be where you think he is going to be!
A personal message from Ron
I would like to take this opportunity to extend a very special thank you to Carolyn and Bill. If you have been to any of my gigs over the last year, you have probably spotted them readily selling CDs and signing fans up for this newsletter. Carolyn has been an enormous help with bookings, photos, and much more. She is also the designer and editor of this newsletter, which looks fantastic. I thank you for all of your hard work and support!
I also want to thank my numerous friends and fans, who have helped me in so many ways - from carrying equipment to helping me book gigs and much more. There are simply too many of you to list here, but you know who you are, and, I treasure each and every one of you. I personally thank you for your enthusiasm and friendship. - Ron
SPECIAL UPCOMING GIGS
As always, keep a close watch for additions and changes to the Ron Thompson calendar. Here
are a few special dates you won't want to miss!
May 12th/Bruce Latimer Show - LIVE TV! (see web calendar)
June 16th/Biscuits and Blues,San Francisco
June 18th/CafÈ Boogaloo w/ Angela Strehli, Hermosa Beach
July 21-25th/Jackson Rancheria
July 31st/Sonoma County Blues Festival
Live performance on the web
If you can't get out to see Ron live, you can enjoy a bit of his quality blues via streaming video on the Internet. Ron joined Eagles songwriter Jack Tempchin, guitarist Waddy Wachtel, and others at "The Joint" in Los Angeles September 2000. Ron performed "Sunnyland." To access the video, and other Jack Tempchin "Big Monday" shows, go to: http://www.jackland.com/
| Ask Ron resistortwister@yahoo.com Q: What gauge strings do you use to achieve your sound? A: For my Stratocaster, I use 46, 36, 26, 17, 13, and 10. For my Silvertone, I use 54, 46, 36, 26, 17, and 13. Q: What was your most memorable performance to date? A: When I played with Jimmy Reed in 1975. He was the reason I began playing guitar and I started learning guitar music by listening to his records. He was like my hero, my main man. And then, I got to play with him on stage! Q: What got you started in blues? A: Jimmy Reed! Q: Who has been your biggest musical influence? A: Jimmy Reed, Elmore James, and John Lee Hooker, as far as blues go. For performance, I would have to say James Brown, Little Richard, and Fats Domino. Q: What was it like working with John Lee Hooker for so many years? A: As long as you knew the music, it was really hard to get fired. By playing with Hooker and being on the road with him, I was able to meet famous blues artists who were his friends, his peers ó Howlin' Wolf, Lightning Hopkins, Jimmy Reed, Eddie Taylor, Muddy Waters, and lots more. I got to meet these people on a more personal level than by just being a fan. Send your questions to Ron at the email address above, and get them answered in the next edition of The Bluesletter. Please include the word " Bluesletter " in the subject line. |
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