Randy Thompson: News

FAR CHART (Freeform American Roots)April 08
1 James McMurtry: Just Us Kids (Lightning Rod)
2 Arty Hill & The Long Gone Daddys: Bar Of Gold (Cow Island)
3 Hayes Carll: Trouble in Mind (Lost Highway)
4 The Wilders: Someone’s Got to Pay (Free Dirt)
5 Justin Townes Earle: The Good Life (Bloodshot) *
6 Randy Thompson: Further On (Jackpot)
7 Chatham County Line: IV (Yep Roc)
8 Tim O’Brien: Chameleon (Howdy Skies/Proper)
9 Joe Ely & Joel Guzman: Live Cactus! (Rack ’Em)
10 Walter Hyatt: Some Unfinished Business (King Tears)
11 Fred Eaglesmith: Tinderbox (A Major Label)
12 Demolition String Band: Different Kinds Of Love (Breaking)
13 Steppin’ In It: Simple Tunes For Troubled Times (Earth Work)
14 The Border Blasters: Blast From The Past (Boquillas)
The Waybacks: Loaded (Compass)
15 Marcia Ball: Peace, Love & BBQ (Alligator)
16 Meg Hutchinson: Come Up Full (Red House)
17 Boris McCutcheon & The Saltlicks: Bad Road Good People (Frogville)
18 Ronny Elliott: Jalopypaint (Blue Heart)
19 Scotland Barr & the Slow Drags:All the Great Aviators Agree (Monkey Barr) Peter Cooper: Mission Door (Red Beet) Deke Dickerson: King Of The Whole Wide World (Major Label) *BLJoel Rafael: Thirteen Stories High (Inside) *JW
20 Jason Ringenberg: Best Tracks & Side Tracks (Yep Roc)

Ryan Gordon Thompson Born April 6; New CD Riding High On Charts

Clifton, VA (April 9, 2008) Singer/songwriter Randy Thompson celebrates the birth of his third son, Ryan Gordon, who was born to Thompson's wife Julie on Sunday, April 6. The newest addition to the clan weighed in at 5 lbs, 6 oz., and was welcomed by siblings Erik (19) and Colin (16), and the extended Thompson family.

Randy is also celebrating the success of his newest CD, FURTHER ON, which is riding high on several charts. The disc sits at #28 on this week's Americana Music Chart and moving up. He also holds the #13 spot on the Roots Music Report, and #23 on the FAR chart. While thrilled with the numbers, Thompson says, "Nothing can compare to the birth of a child. Julie is doing great, and Ryan is beautiful."

Randy Thompson's "Ol' 97" Resonates
With Family Ties And Railroad History
Debut Video Includes Vintage B/W Train Footage
Nashville, TN - Randy Thompson's debut video, "Ol' 97," resonates with family ties and railroad history, and includes vintage black and white train footage. Currently airing on Blip TV and YouTube, the piece was produced by Bill Hurley, and shot in and around Clifton, Virginia. It opens with a shot of a roaring steam engine and rolls on from there at a breakneck pace. Fiddler Rickie Simpkins steals the second scene with a lightning-fast bow and an undeniable presence. A quick transition to a performance shot rich with rural ambience showcases Thompson's passionate vocal, powerful guitar work, and a compelling lyric. The tale of the Southern Railway train that crashed September 27, 1903 is driven by bassist Garrick Alden and drummer Dwane Nitz, who laid the groundwork for the phenomenal lead licks of Randy's guitar-gunning 16 year-old son, Colin.

Randy grew up with the story of "Ol' 97." His grandfather, Littlebury Randolph "Ran" Thompson was 10 years old in 1903, and lived in the small "train town" of Lynch Station. Ran grew up by the tracks, and he knew when every train was due. It became his habit to dash out to wave at the engineers as they passed his house. On the day she derailed at the Stillhouse Trestle near Danville, Ran didn't know he was waving goodbye. He never forgot Ol' 97; it was a story he told throughout his life and one that Randy has never forgotten.

"It always struck a chord in me," Thompson says of the tale. "I've been singing the original version of the song for years. I just rearranged the lyrics, wrote a new melody, and cranked it up a notch."

"Ol' 97" is from Thompson's latest Jackpot Records CD, FURTHER ON. The disc is drawing rave reviews, and tons of national and international airplay. Multiple tracks from the project are currently airing on XM Satellite's XCountry (CH 12). Look for upcoming national features/reviews on Randy from INSIDE MUSIC ROW TV Show, CyberCountry, No Depression, StarCountry, CountryStarsOnline, Associated Press, Buddy, Gone Country, Country Music Facts & News, MUSICIAN and many more.

See the video at: http://blip.tv/file/665042.

Randy Thompson Moves FURTHER ON With His Third CD On Jackpot Records, Available January 30



Features Musicians Don Helms, Rickie Simpkins & Garrick Alden



Nashville, TN (December 19, 2007) Singer/songwriter Randy Thompson emerges from his native Clifton, Virginia countryside and moves FURTHER ON with his latest CD on Jackpot Records, available on January 30, 2008. These are songs that could fill the hills and hollers; they epitomize the Appalachian spirit and tell stories handed down through the years, and new tales that will surely take their place in history.



Throughout the album, you’ll hear the fine fiddle work and heartbreaking mandolin of Rickie Simpkins (Emmylou Harris, Tony Rice, Randy Scruggs); the steel of the legendary Don Helms (Hank Williams, Sr.’s Drifting Cowboys); Thompson’s own gritty acoustic guitar and ringing banjo; Garrick Alden’s superb lead guitar, bass, banjo and drums; Alan Oresky’s tasteful violin and strings; Andy Hamburger’s pulsating drums, and the stellar slide guitar and harmony vocals of Thompson’s son, Colin. Cindy Alden’s haunting harmonies grace one tune, but it is Randy’s versatile and confident vocals throughout that are the driving force here. They are reflective of a man who walks through a life veiled in history, who revels in the “now,” while casting a cool eye to the future. “Most of the songs are about life’s relationships and moving on in one way or another,” Thompson says. “This album was three years in the making, and has a real Virginia feel to it; it’s exactly what I wanted it to be.”



Inspired by the works of Steve Young, John Jackson and Steve Gillette, it is no surprise that this is such a powerful collection of songs. Nothing could place your feet in the red clay and bring to mind cotton, cane and tobacco quicker than “Ol’ ’97,” an old regional folk song. “Rumor has it that my great-grandfather’s cousin wrote this song about a train wreck in the late 1800s,” says Randy.



Another highlight is the title track, which is based on a poem written by Randy’s grandfather, Wesley Sober. “It was found on an old yellowed piece of paper after he died,” says Randy. “He must have written this in the 1920s or ‘30s. I just put the melody to it.”



Thompson takes the reins of Steve Gillette’s compelling story of “Molly and Tenbrooks.” Bill Monroe made it a hit in the 1940s and it has since become a bluegrass standard. Randy brings to life every heartbreaking moment of the four-mile race between the filly and the stallion. Thompson’s poignant “Don’t You Remember” takes one last look at a relationship that has ended, while “Riptide” pulls you under with its powerful imagery of a marriage - and two people - breaking apart. Thompson gives a nod to Utah Phillips with a gritty version of “Rocksalt and Nails.”



Thompson takes big strides with FURTHER ON. Call it what you will – country, Americana, folk; this is music – and Randy Thompson - at their elemental best.



PRESS: For review copies, contact somuchmoore@charter.net or Martha at 615-746-3994.

RADIO PROGRAMMERS/DJs should contact: Fred Boenig rrootsr@ptd.net

Randy Thompson online at www.MySpace.com/randythompsonjackpotrecords.