RON THOMPSON'S BLUESLETTER
Winter Edition 2007
2007 is almost over, and what a year it has been! Ron was everywhere this year, and enjoyed numerous incredible performances--we hope you were there too! In case you missed it, here are some of this year's highlights:
* SEPTEMBER 5, 2007--RON THOMPSON DAY IN SAN FRANCISCO! Merely days after Barry Bonds got "his day" in The City for breaking the all-time baseball home run record, San Francisco honored its own musical hero, Ron Thompson. Ron was deeply touched and had a glorious celebration that started at 6am and lasted until way past midnight!
Patti Carlise, of Mayor Gavin Newsom's office, presenting the official proclamation of
"Ron Thompson Day in San Francisco!" to Ron at Biscuits & Blues
Photo courtesy of Carolyn Phillips
Very limited quantities of the commemorative t-shirts, produced by Bischoff Custom Design & Screenprinting in Modesto, California, can still be obtained, just in time for the holidays! Email us in advance before you send your check to make sure we still have your size (S, M, L, XXL, or XXXL) and we will send you details on where to send your payment ($20 plus shipping and handling).
* Ron and His Resistors opened two nights for the Bruce Willis Blues Band last summer. Yes, that Bruce Willis! Bruce said to Ron on stage, "You look like a million bucks!" Very high praise from an actor who currently commands we-don't-know-how-many million bucks from each of his films!
* Ron toured with Chris Isaak last summer in Washington, Oregon, & California. Ron performed solo and also with Chris and his tremendous band. Highlights from the tour can be found on Ron's JOURNAL page!
* Ron appeared as a "special guest" on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise in October, which sailed through the "Mexican Rivera," with several port of call visits. Ron enjoyed his many performances and all-star jams on board, as well as a terra firma show in Puerto Vallarta. He even made time to swim with some groupie dolphins in Puerto Vallarta--the same day he did two shows. WHERE does Ron get his stamina? We frankly haven't a clue, but we sure like absorbing all the fun when Ron comes around!
Ron jamming with the legendary Roy Gaines on the Blues Cruise
Photo courtesy of David Joner
* Ron released his first all solo CD in early January-- Resonator -- which is receiving rave reviews and garnering radio airplay around the globe. This CD finally showcases Ron's ability to rock it out solo, as well as featuring his astonishing songwriting skills. Resonator and other music can be purchased through CD Baby. Just go to Ron's SHOP page and follow the links!
Ron delivered almost 250 performances this year in nearly 20 states. When you consider the energy Ron puts out at each show, it occurs to us that some of America's energy woes could be solved if only we could figure out how to harness a bit of that RT electricity!
* Ron performed at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas in November. Tens of thousands of gaming executives from around the globe attended the must-see event of the year-G2E 2007, including James Gandolfini and Steve Schirripa of HBO's "The Sopranos," who officially opened G2E 2007 along with Frank J. Fahrenkopf, President and CEO of the American Gaming Association .
Be sure to check the new JOURNAL page for photos and stories on many of the events listed above.
SUMMER OF LOVE 40TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT SPECIAL RE-AIR IN DECEMBER
On Sunday, December 9th, channel TV20 in the Bay Area aired an encore presentation of the two hour special of the Summer of Love 40th Anniversary Concert, which took place on September 2nd in Golden Gate Park.
The concert special opens with RON THOMPSON! Ron was on fire that day and played the last set to an enormous crowd, who had already had their minds blown (well, we have to include some 60's jargon here) by a once-in-a-lifetime lineup. Nevertheless, when Ron took the stage, all hell broke loose! The entire concert was phenomenal--if you weren't there, you can still enjoy the fun via your television set! This documentary is likely to be picked up for national syndication, so hopefully those of you outside the Bay Area can view this great film as well quite soon.
The concert special includes great performances from Country Joe McDonald, Taj Mahal, Canned Heat, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Ron Thompson, and many more... all recorded, as it happened LIVE, at Speedway Meadows in Golden Gate Park! Plus, go back stage for revealing and up close interviews with the rock legends that made it all happen."
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
There is simply no keeping up with Ron's schedule. He would rather play music than just about anything, except searching for more cool shoes at his favorite haunts. Continue to check his online calendar for the most up-to-date information. And as always, review the calendar before you head out the door--sometimes details change at the last minute.
Here are a few of Ron's many upcoming shows:
EVERY TUESDAY AND EVERY WEDNESDAY!
The SF Bay Area finally got hip to Ron's weekly "Thursday Night Dance Party" at Crossroads in Fresno. Ron recently started up two mid-week parties in the Bay Area. He is "officially" performing solo, but a number of his musical colleagues have promised to show up and sit in. We cannot guarantee who you might see, but Ron knows darn near every musical notable on the scene today. If you are in the Bay Area, you can catch him at one of these fine venues:
TUESDAYS 
Ireland's 32 , in San Francisco, from 8-11 PM
No cover.
Ireland's 32 is an authentic Irish pub and super fun! Every inch of wall space is devoted to pro-Irish political posters & hand-painted portraits of famous Irish personalities.
3920 Geary Blvd, San Francisco (at 3rd Ave.) 415/386-6173
http://www.irelands32sanfrancisco.com/
WEDNESDAYS
The Poor House Bistro , from 6-9 PM
No cover.
All ages welcome. Owner Jay Meduri has been serving up great New Orleans cuisine, splendid libations, and hot music for several years now. Ron is excited to join with Jay to bring South Bay blues lovers a great time every Wednesday evening.
91 South Autumn Street, San Jose (408) 29-BLUES
http://poorhousebistro.allappetite.com/
NEW YEAR'S EVE! 
If you live in Southern California, come on out and ring in the 2008 with Ron and His Resistors at Cafe Boogaloo in Hermosa Beach. Boogaloo is Ron's favorite LA venue and they serve up some extremely sublime food as well! So come for dinner, come for music, come for fun--and if you want to make a full weekend of it, Hermosa Beach is a beautiful Southern California community--book a room and enjoy the ocean on New Year's Day.
Cafe Boogaloo is located at 1238 Hermosa Avenue in Hermosa Beach.
http://www.boogaloo.com/index.html
Ron would like to extend his appreciation to all the venues, events and festivals that brought his music to many locales this year! He would also like to express his gratitude to the radio stations on almost every continent who continue to air his music daily.
Ron would like to offer thanks to those individuals who have been so helpful this year in assisting his career, including: Kevin Adams, Alex Aranda, Maria Bainer, Rocky Barbanica, Clinton Billups, Bill Bischoff, Marc Blake, Jay & Sam Boulton, Tom Bowers, Bob Brown, Dennis Briggs, Brett DeWeese, Patti Carlise, Anthony Carato, Tommy Castro, Jack Cohen, Patrick Courtemanche, Davey Dave, Deacon & Shelley, Kelvin Dixon, Tim Downum, Sally Edens, Gillian Etherton, Marisa Everett, Stephen Foehr, Elaine & David Goudelock, Gary & Margie Guesnier, David Hampf, Dave Harpp, Noel Hayes, Don & Susan Heflin, Lee Hildebrand, Dorothy Hill, Boots Houston, Gary & Tammy Hyman, Chris Isaak, Ed Ivey, Steve & Pauline Jennings, "Chef" Ramon Johnson, Kenney Dale Johnson, Artis Joyce AKA AJ, Rick Kukulich, Charlie Lange, Terry Later, Bruce Latimer, Andan Lauber, Kathleen Lawton, Theo Leikem, Sue Mahoney, Tom Mazzolini, Guy McKenzie, Jay Meduri, Paul Metsa, Wayne Meyer, Debbie Morton, Mitch Moughan, Mike Mueller, Mz. Dee, Roger Naber, Mark Naftalin, Rick Nagle, Terri Nevins, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Margaret O'Brien, Henry Oden, Rolf Olmstead, Jeff & Terri Otvos, Rudy & Abel Parris, Jonnie Perkins, Carolyn Phillips, Bob Pierce, Kathy & Glenn Pomianek, Steven Roberts, Julie & Ruben Saldana, Lenny Smith, the entire Sonicbids Team!, Rene Solis, Bill Stokes, Angela Strehli, Sandra Tedder, Clay & Sue Thompson, Gary Thompson, John Tipton, Tony van Veen, Larry Vann, Don Villa, Clint Warner, Bill Wax, Bobbie Webb, Michael "Whitey" Whitener, Tom Wiggins, Bruce Willis, Dave Wood, Walter Wright, and Steve York.
If you don't see your name listed here, or see it, but it is misspelled--do not blame Ron--just blame his team of addled Bluesletter writers!
And most of all--thank you to Ron's FANS who support Ron's music by attending shows, buying CDs, sending in your fabulous photos, and spreading the word to your friends and family about Ron and his music!
Best wishes to each of you for a happy, healthy, and successful New Year!
Copyright 2007 Ron Thompson