San Jose Blues Week!
May 5-11, 2008

What an amazing rush San Jose Blues Week was! Thanks to the incredible efforts of "Chef" Ramon Johnson (KSJS FM disc jockey), San Jose Blues Week 2008 was bigger and brighter than ever before.

Ron onstage at Metro Fountain Blues Festival, May 10, 2008. Photo courtesy of Tom Yearnshaw.

Ron was this year's San Jose Blues Week honoree. On Wednesday, May 7th, Ron was presented with the proclamation from the City of San Jose at the San Jose Improv. On Saturday, May 10th, at the San Jose Metro Fountain Blues Festival, Ron received the official award on stage from the City from City Councilman Sam Liccardo.

Ron and San Jose City Councilman Sam Liccardo. Photo courtesy of Tom Yearnshaw.

Ron receiving his award from "Chef" Ramon Johnson. Photo courtesy of Tom Yearnshaw.

Metro Fountain is always a fantastic event. This year's show featured Koko Taylor,   Robert Cray, Sonny Landreth, and many other great artists.

We had the privilege at this year's festival to hang out with some of the editors of the Blues Festival E-Guide E-Newsletter, Tom Yearnshaw and Cheryl OGrady Yearnshaw, from Reno, Nevada. This weekly ezine is one of, if not the best online blues publications out there. They always have the latest news, the articles are professionally written, and the photos superb. The zine loads fast and without glitches, and you don't have to log on and send them your personal information. To subscribe, click here.

Cheryl OGrady Yearnshaw, Ron, and Tom Yearshaw. May 10, 2008

Cheryl wrote a great story about Ron and San Jose Blues Week. Check it out here.

We hate to break the news, but sometimes being backstage at festivals is not always as much fun as you might expect--everyone is usually working super hard to make the show the best possible and it is not quite the party you would imagine. The real party is usually right where you are--in the audience.

But backstage at Metro Fountain this year was a spectacular exception to that rule, due in large part to Jay Meduri, proprietor of the Poor House Bistro. Jay and his talented team provided a delicious spread of New Orleans delicacies for the artists and their friends and families backstage at Metro Fountain.. If you live in the Bay Area or plan to visit, you owe it to yourself to enjoy at least one meal at the Poor House. In addition to the exquisite culinary fare, Jay provides some of the best blues music in the Bay Area four nights a week. Ron and his trio play at the Poor House every Wednesday unless they are touring.

San Jose Blues Week was simply a non-stop celebration, but that didn't mean Ron stopped working! Quite the contrary. In addition to the parties and fun, he also gave seven other performances that same week. As anyone who has ever seen Ron in concert live, you know that Ron's shows are energy plus, and this week was no exception.

Special thanks go out to Councilman Sam Liccardo, San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, "Chef" Ramon Johnson, Jay Meduri and the entire Poor House Bistro team, Joe Dussart, Gracie May, Dave Sandoval, Steph Jo Broers, Tom Yearnshaw, Cheryl OGrady Yearnshaw, Ed Guzman, and Reuben Guzman.

Spaced out

We hereby invite you to become Ron's myspace "friend." A few months ago, we finally got with modern times and created a myspace page for Ron. Astoundingly, Ron accumulated almost 8,000 fans very quickly, and the numbers are growing every day. Because myspace doesn't require html knowledge, we are able to post a more or less weekly blog to keep fans up on Ron's latest news--and provide quick recaps of some of the shows he does. If Ron wasn't a musician, he'd be a comedian, and through myspace, we are able to share some of his most recent hilarious anecdotes.

More importantly, Ron has some great music ready to go, and we will be offering "F$& It's Only a Buck" downloads through myspace as soon as he gets some of his new music mastered.

So, go to Ron's myspace profile and get "friendly," if you haven't already!

Midwest tour!

Look out! Ron is heading to the Midwest in early June! He usually only gets back there once a year, so if you are anywhere around those parts, be sure and catch one of Ron's shows--or you will have to wait until 2009.

Wednesday, June 4, 9 PM
The Legendary Zoo Bar
Lincoln, Nebraska

Thursday, June 5, 5:30 PM
Murphy's Lounge
Omaha, Nebraska

Friday, June 6, 9:30 PM
Blues on Grand
Des Moines, Iowa

Saturday, June 7, 9 PM
Famous Dave's BBQ & Blues Festival
Headlining!
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Sunday, June 8, 11 AM
Famous Dave's Minneapolis BBQ & Blues Club
Acoustic Solo Show with PAUL METSA
Minneapolis, Minnesota

More performances!

As always, Ron's summer itinerary has lots of fun scheduled. Be sure to check Ron's online calendar for a full list of dates. Here are a few performances, but space prohibits us from listing everything, so be sure and check the calendar (which is always a good idea, as sometimes dates and times change, and new gigs are added all the time).

Friday, May 30, 6:30 PM
Sausalito's Jazz and Blues by the Bay
Sausalito, California

Saturday, June 28, 6:30 PM
Placerville Bell Tower Brew Fest
Placerville, California

Friday, July 4, 6:00 PM
Red White and Blues Festival
Alameda County Fair
Pleasanton, California

Saturday, July 5, 7 PM
Half Moon Bay Brewing Company
Half Moon Bay, California

Saturday, July 12, TBA
Best of Fresno Music Festival
Fresno, California

Friday, July 18, 9:30 PM
Mojo Lounge
DENNIS BRIGGS' BIRTHDAY BASH!!!!!!!!!!
Fremont, California

Saturday, July 19, 3 PM
Redwood City PAL Blues Festival
Solo Acoustic Performance
Redwood City, California

Saturday, July 26, 8 PM
Arena Theatre
Point Arena, California

Saturday, August 9, 1:30 PM
Petaluma Wine, Jazz, and Blues Festival on the Waterfront
Special Guest with the Peter Welker All Stars
Petaluma, California

Saturday, August 16, 8 PM
Monterey Live!
Solo Acoustic Performance
Monterey, California

Sunday, August 17, 4:30 PM
Chouinard Vineyards and Winery
Castro Valley, California

Saturday, August 30, 10:30 AM
Blues by the Bay
Solo Acoustic Performance
Eureka, California

Sunday, August 31 & Monday, September 1, TBA
Bremerton Blackberry Festival
Headlining!
Bremerton, Washington

Friday, September 5, 8 PM
Boulder Outlook Hotel
Solo Acoustic Performance
Boulder, Colorado

Saturday, September 6, 9 PM  
Belvedere Blues Festival
Headlining!
Canon City, Colorado

Thursday, October 16, 6 PM
Thursday Night Marketplace
Hanford, California

Farewell...

We are sad to report that Ron lost two good friends earlier this year.

SCOTT SWENSON

The first loss was Scott Swenson, who worked at Flowmaster Inc. in Santa Rosa. Scott passed unexpectedly at home in January. Scott was a huge supporter of Ron and his music, and he had a great sense of humor! He sent Ron this photo last year, and titled it, "Ron's biggest fan."

Scott Swenson, Ron, and friend at Rancho Nicasio, 2007

Scott came out to see Ron regularly and even drove down from Sonoma County to help celebrate Ron Thompson Day in San Francisco last September. He was a big help with Ron's cars too, and will be greatly missed.

Although Scott's family chose not to conduct memorial services, Ron honored Scott at a Rancho Nicasio performance last January. In the eloquent words of Scott's friend, and co-worker Dan:

"Just a note to say Mark Emerson, his wife Julia, and myself made it down to Nicasio to catch Ron Thompson's show. As most of you know, Ron is an 'old shoe' bluesman, and Scott was his greatest fan, introducing many of us here to his unique blues style. Before he went on stage, Ron came over to our table to say he would begin with a tribute song in memory of his good friend Scott. Pulling up a chair, he sat down alone without the band and played a song he had written that had a deep sadness, perfect for the occasion. The name of the song was 'Room For One More Sinner.' The chorus line repeating after each verse was, 'Lord, if there's room for one more sinner, please let me in.' I felt that Ron really put his heart in it, and no other song that he knew could express how he felt.

Of course, Ron went on to put on a great set with his huge talent, giving everything he had. Scott's closest friends outside of Flowmaster, Tom and his neighbor Cam, were also there, and we all agreed that we'll never forget his unique character and the quality of his friendship.

It was a simple tribute, but I left feeling glad to put a capstone on my memories of Scotty. We will all miss him."

FRANCIS CLAY

January also saw another loss, that of Francis Clay. Francis, whose drumming helped propel blues great Muddy Waters' band into its heyday, died in his sleep January 23rd in his San Francisco apartment. He was 84.

Mr. Clay, a beloved elder statesman among local blues musicians and fans since his arrival in the Bay Area in the late '60s, played behind many of the most-renowned entertainers of the 20th century-- Gypsy Rose Lee, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, John Coltrane, Jimi Hendrix, Howlin' Wolf, John Lee Hooker and countless others.

Ron always reminded people that Francis was first and foremost, a jazz drummer, and it was Ron's honor and pleasure to count Francis as a friend and musical colleague.

A celebration of Francis's life is being planned, and many musical greats are scheduled to perform, including Ron Thompson. Please check back on Ron's calendar for more details as they become available.

The 4 Drummers celebrate Ron Thompson Day in San Francisco!
Kelvin Dixon, Deacon, Larry Vann, and Francis Clay
Photo courtesy of Alex Aranda

Cesar Chavez Day in San Jose

Ron was pleased and honored to be invited to participate in Cesar Chavez Day in San Jose on March 29th. Cesar Chavez was a Mexican American labor activist and leader of the United Farm Workers. During the 20th century he was a major and significant voice for migrant farm workers. His tireless leadership focused national attention on these laborers' terrible working conditions, which eventually led to major improvements. Cesar Chavez Day is now a California state holiday.

The City of San Jose celebrated the legacy of Cesar Chavez on March 29th with a parade and festival that offered music, food, a low rider car exhibition, and much more.

Dave Sandoval, Ron, and Ed Guzman performing at Cesar Chavez Day March 29, 2008. Photo courtesy of Grace.

Congratulazioni!

Congratulations to our good friend, Patti Carlise-Solomon, Entertainment-Arts Liaison to San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, and her husband Jim. Patti married her high school sweetheart, Jim Solomon, at a lovely ceremony at San Francisco City Hall on April 16th. Patti was a knock-out beautiful bride for sure! By special request, Ron performed "These Arms of Mine" at a reception following the nuptials. We wish Patti and Jim all the best!

Patti's sons join Patti and Jim and Sean Martinfield (center). who officiated at the ceremony.

T-shirts anyone?

If you are looking for beautiful custom-designed t-shirts and apparel at affordable prices, look no further! Just contact Ron's longtime friend Bill Bischoff, who owns and operates Bischoff Custom Design and Screenprinting in Modesto, California. Bill designed and produced the special Ron Thompson Day in San Francisco t-shirts, and is planing a brand new line of clothing for Ron very soon. Check back for more information!

© Ron Thompson 2008