Tommy Thompson and the Banjo: The Life of a North Carolina Old-Time Music Revivalist

Tommy Thompson formed the Red Clay Ramblers in 1972 and played with them until 1994, drawing on interviews and correspondence to depict his life revolving around music and creativity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 217 pages
Publication date: 28 February 2019
Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc

Tommy Thompson, a passionate admirer of folk and traditional Appalachian music, made his way to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in 1963. In 1972, he joined forces with Bill Hicks and Jim Watson to establish the Red Clay Ramblers, a nontraditional string band that would go on to make a significant impact on the music world. Over the years, the band's lineup expanded, with musicians like Clay Buckner, Bland Simpson, and Chris Frank joining Tommy's musical journey. Drawing from interviews, correspondence, and Thompson's personal papers, the author presents a vivid portrayal of Thompson's life, one that was deeply intertwined with music and creativity. The appendices include information about Thompson's banjos, his discography, and notes on his collaborative lyric writing, further enriching the reader's understanding of Thompson's musical legacy.

Weight: 458g
Dimension: 179 x 254 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781476675084