• Donate

Featured Artists

Played by bluegrass, folk, jazz and blues musicians. Our thanks to the fans of Thompson Guitars.

Peter Rowan

Laurie Lewis

Eric Bibb

Claire Lynch

Chris Luquette

Billy Strings

Molly Tuttle

Tim Stafford

Tim May

Steve Blanchard

Trey Hensley

Josh Rinkel

Mike Gaumer

Joe Cicero

Jon Stickley

Lindsay Lou

Jordan Tice

Travis Book

Pete Kartsounes

Max Davies

Dale Adkins

Danny Burns

Al Petteway

Robbie Schaefer

Greg Payne

Julian Davis

Kenny Feinstein

Will Cassell

Thomas Cassell

Zach Top

Allen Shadd

John Cruz

Tom Knowlton

Holten Doucette

Jeff Miller

Ben Delery

Brandon Bostic

Brett Bass

Charlie Whitten

Gustavo Fofao

Jessica Lang

Hunter Fletcher

Grace Constable
Peter Rowan

Peter Rowan

Peter met Preston at Winfield when Charles Sawtelle recommended Peter stop by Preston's booth and check out his guitars.  Peter did just that and walked away with a 12 Fret 000 which he has been playing as part of his collection of his guitars for over 30 years. Grammy-award winner and six-time Grammy nominee, Peter Rowan is a singer songwriter with a career spanning over five decades. From his early years playing under the tutelage of bluegrass veteran Bill Monroe, to his time in Old & In the Way and breakout as a solo musician and bandleader, Rowan has built a devoted international fan base through a solid stream of records, collaborative projects and constant touring. Thank you to Peter for supporting Preston over all these years. – Courtesy of peter-rowan.com. [yottie id="7"]

Laurie Lewis

Laurie Lewis

Preston and Laurie had known of each other for years through their good friend Charles Sawtelle. In 2016 Laurie came to the Sisters Folk Festival and she lead a songwriting workshop at Thompson Guitars.  She was so pleased at what she heard come out of our guitars that she put in an order.  Thanks Laurie for adding a Thompson to your collection of guitars as another vehicle to underscore your singing and songwriting. Songwriter, fiddler, vocalist, teacher and producer Laurie Lewis is widely regarded as being among the preeminent bluegrass and Americana artists of our time. In 1986, Laurie forged a musical partnership with Tom Rozum, when Tom joined Laurie’s acclaimed band, Grant Street. Between them, they have recorded over twenty albums, as a duo and with their many talented musical friends, including their 1995 Grammy-nominated album “The Oak and the Laurel.” – Courtesy of laurielewis.com [yottie id="20"]

Eric Bibb

Eric Bibb

A four-decade career, 35 albums, countless radio and television shows and non-stop touring has given Eric Bibb a world view that’s tempered by curiosity and compassion. His breakthrough album, Good Stuff, was followed up with Me to You, which furthered Bibb’s international reputation and was followed by tours of the UK, the United States, Canada, France, Sweden, and Germany. Over the course of many album releases over the years, Bibb has been nominated for multiple Blues Music Awards in several categories, including the Grammy-nominated Shakin’ a Tailfeather. – Courtesy of ericbibb.com
“It is wonderful to travel around the world and meet luthiers from Finland to Australia and encounter wonderful instruments. Having said that I can honestly say that Preston’s guitars are the zenith for me. There is something about not only the sound, but the feel. This particular guitar just fits my hand in a way that is like a dream” - Eric Bibb
[yottie id="8"]

Claire Lynch

Claire Lynch

A pioneer who continually pushes the boundaries of the bluegrass genre, Claire Lynch was the 2013 Female Vocalist of the Year for the International Bluegrass Music Association. Her career has been decorated with many other accolades including two Grammy nominations and three International Bluegrass Music Association Female Vocalist awards in 2010 and 1997. Recently, at the 2014 IBMA Awards, she received two trophies: “Song of the Year” for Dear Sister, a co-write with Louisa Branscomb and title cut of her latest Compass Records release; and “Recorded Event of the Year” for a guest vocal appearance with Special Consensus on Country Boy; A Bluegrass Tribute to John Denver (Wild Montana Skies).– Courtesy of clairelynch.com
“My new Preston Thompson 00 long-scale may have a small body, but it's got an undeniably big sound. The first time I pulled it out for sound check and some highly-revered players with a real ear for a superb sound gathered around to ask me about it, my suspicions were confirmed!” - Claire Lynch
[yottie id="9"]

Chris Luquette

Chris Luquette

With his roots in the Seattle music scene, Chris Luquette seamlessly switches from jazz to rock to bluegrass. His acoustic guitar playing really stands out, but this multi-instrumentalist is equally at home playing mandolin, drums, bass, electric guitar, banjo, and Greek bouzouki. Chris performs full time with 2015 Grammy Nominee, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen. In addition, Chris was a founding member of Seattle based, Northern Departure, and has found himself sitting in with Jerry Douglas, Emmylou Harris, Rob Ickes, The Steep Canyon Rangers, Kenny and Amanda Smith, Yogi and The Yogini’s, The Boxcars, and many others. – Courtesy of dirtykitchenband.com https://chrisluquette.com/
"It's rare to be excited every time you open your guitar case, but I feel that way every time I go to play my Thompson. These guitars are an immense pleasure to play". - Chris Luquette
[yottie id="5"]

Billy Strings

Billy Strings

Billy Strings tears up the stage with super-charged Americana. This kid can pick! It’s acoustic music with a punk edge and a lot of youthful enthusiasm. Billy covers a wide variety of classic songs, from a slow-burning cover of ‘Wild Bill Jones’ to a raw cover of ‘Cocaine Blues’ or picking delights like ‘Red Haired Boy’ and ‘Soldier’s Joy.’ His standout track, ‘Dust in a Baggie,’ is a cleverly written, tour-de-force mountain song, written by Strings himself, and upon listening, it’s the moment you realize just how far this kid’s gonna go.– Courtesy of The Bluegrass Situation
"Love is about trust. I can always trust my Thompson guitar to deliver on stage, in the studio or in a jam. It's become my main axe for a reason." -Billy Strings
[yottie id="3"]

Molly Tuttle

Molly Tuttle

We have been watching and listening to Molly Tuttle over the past few years and were thrilled when she stopped by the shop last year during the Sisters Folk Festival to try out a few guitars. Preston was able to meet her again this year at IBMA and confirmed she wanted a Thompson, we could not be more excited.  We look forward to her playing it on stage for you all soon.   We want to congratulate her on being the winner of the IBMA Guitar Player of the Year award - a first for a women.  She rocks!   Her amazing talent is not just limited to her guitar playing, but the combination of her songwriting and beautiful voice makes her that much more amazing. Thank you for joining the Thompson family.

Courtesy of Molly's website- 

A virtuoso multi-instrumentalist and award winning songwriter with a distinctive voice, Molly has turned the heads of even the most seasoned industry professionals. She began performing on stage when she was 11, and recorded her first album, The Old Apple Tree, at age 13. Since then, she’s appeared on A Prairie Home Companion and at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, was featured on the cover of Flatpicking Guitar Magazine, won first place in the prestigious Chris Austin Songwriting Competition at Merlefest, and, this fall, received a Momentum Award from the International Bluegrass Music Association in the instrumentalist category. Her lovely voice, impeccable guitar playing, and sensitive song writing make her a star on the rise. She has already received more than two million YouTube views and is currently gearing up to release her first solo EP.

https://www.mollytuttlemusic.com/ [yottie id="22"]

Tim Stafford

Tim Stafford

From Tim's Website: "Tim is a prolific songwriter, with over 250 songs recorded.  He co-wrote IBMA's 2008 Song of the Year, "Through the Window of a Train," and was named IBMA's Songwriter of the Year in 2014 and 2017.  In addition, he is a sought-after studio musician, having recorded with over 75 artists in addition to Blue Highway, including Willie Nelson, Kenny Chesney, Jorma Kaukonen, Jesse McReynolds, Benny Sims, Marty Raybon, Joe Isaacs, Ronnie Bowman, Charles Sawtelle, Tony Trischka, Larry Sparks, Jim Mills and many others. Tim was named SPBGMA Guitar Performer of the Year in 2001 and 2015. He has produced many award-winning records for various artists, including Kenny Chesney, The Infamous Stringdusters (IBMA 2007 co-album of the Year) , and Knee Deep in Bluegrass, the Acutab Sessions (IBMA 2001 Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year). Tim performed many times with Hazel Dickens, including the Lincoln Center in New York (2006), Sundance Film Festival, Park City, UT (2005), Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, San Francisco, CA (2010), and Wintergrass, Tacoma WA (2003). He has taught at nearly all the bluegrass-oriented camps, including Rockygrass Academy, Camp Bluegrass (South Plains College, TX), Augusta Heritage, Wintergrass Academy, Sore Fingers (UK), Bluegrass at the Beach, Nashcamp, Kaufman's Flatpicking Camp, California Bluegrass Association Camp at Grass Valley, St. Louis Flatpick, Resosummit, Summergrass Academy, Grand Targhee, Great Lakes Music Camp, Bluegrass Masters Weekend, Ashokan Bluegrass Camp and Nashville Flatpick and Songwriting Camp." https://www.timstaffordguitar.com/ thebluegrasssituation.com

Tim May

Tim May

First of all we would like to say that we wouldn't be where we are without Tim May and his encouragement, his contacts and having him spread the word about the Thompson guitars he has played.  His support has been invaluable to where we are today. Flatpicker Tim May has been working in the Nashville area for over 20 years as a sideman, session player, band member and performer. Higher profile projects have included touring with Patty Loveless and John Cowan, and working as a regular on the Grand Ole Opry with Mike Snider. Tim was the solo guitarist on Charlie Daniels’ recording of I’ll Fly Away, which was nominated for the Best Country Instrumental Performance Grammy in 2005, the same year he was session leader on the critically acclaimed Moody Bluegrass album (he later played on Moody Bluegrass II as well). The Nashville Scene selected Tim in the Best Instrumentalist category in their 2012 Reader’s Choice Poll. – Courtesy of timmaymusic.net [yottie id="10"]

Steve Blanchard

Steve Blanchard

Known for his lively acoustic flatpicking guitar style, Steve Blanchard is a dynamic singer and songwriter with a career spanning over four decades. His musical style includes bluegrass, cowboy/western, folk, and Americana. Steve has performed western music, bluegrass, folk, and many other genres of music in his career. He currently plays in the Pacific Northwest’s legendary bluegrass band Prairie Flyer and the up and coming duo Slipshod with Matt Snook. Steve’s music and guitar playing has delighted fans all across the Northwest and beyond. Steve is also a much sought after teacher and workshop instructor. – Courtesy of steveblanchardmusic.com
“Playing my custom made Thompson D-28 is like hanging on to a Category 5 hurricane.” - Steve Blanchard

Trey Hensley

Trey Hensley

Keeping true to the roots of country music is not only a lovely sentiment of nostalgia but a necessity for the growth of an artist and staying true to the roots just comes naturally for Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and guitarist Trey Hensley. After picking up a guitar at the age of 10, he quickly took the bluegrass world by storm —even performing on the Grand Ole Opry when he was only 11. Through the years, Trey has had the opportunity to perform with the likes of Marty Stuart, Earl Scruggs, Johnny and June Carter Cash, Charlie Daniels, Steve Wariner, The Oak Ridge Boys, Ricky Skaggs, Blue Highway, J.D. Crowe and others. – Courtesy of TreyHensley.com
“My Thompson D-MA spoke to me immediately. It was like I had played it my entire life. It's an old friend that I just met. It is one of the finest instruments I've ever had the pleasure of playing. I'm honored to use it! It is one of my first picks when I am on the road or in the studio! On top of making incredible instruments, Preston and company are awesome folks! I'm proud to be a part of the family. Preston Thompson guitars rule!” - Trey Hensley
[yottie id="4"]

Josh Rinkel

Josh Rinkel

Josh Rinkel is part of the talented Bluegrass band Po' Ramblin' Boys that recently won at the Emerging Artist Award at IBMA. From the band's website - http://www.theporamblinboys.com/

At a time when most people feel constantly distracted by technology and barraged by the news, authenticity and straightforward honesty are paramount. There’s something about the music of The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys that cuts right through the noise of the world and speaks plainly to the soul. Formed in the Smoky Mountains, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys are at once exactly what you would expect and not at all what you would expect from a tattooed East Tennessee Bluegrass outfit. No strangers to hard work, the boys are as much at home riding in their 1965 GM Tour bus as they are crawling underneath to fix it when it needs maintenance. But they take pride in being ambassadors of their genre, and the group has brought their music from rural bluegrass festival stages to the rock clubs of Europe, with stunning results. “I think to a certain extent everyone is just craving music that they can feel, and any music that feels real will reach any audience” says CJ Lewandowski, the groups founder, “We want to put bluegrass right where it’s least expected”.

Thanks Josh for Joining the Thompson Family - we look forward to a long relationship as your career flourishes! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuXoz7JpZQY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggHbZGZpnhU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLaljTaDgio&t=592s  

Mike Gaumer

Mike Gaumer

Mike Gaumer grew up in Pennsylvania and was introduced to bluegrass music as a kid attending a festival near his hometown of Nazareth, PA. His sources of influence stretch from the country music greats of the late 80s and 90s, to current bluegrass stars who have modernized the sounds of Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs into the blend of country and bluegrass heard today. He is the founder of Old Town Flood and resides in Baltimore, MD.
 
About the Thompson: "My Madagascar Rosewood Thompson has the ability to produce volume without compromising clarity and tone from top to bottom. It has made me a better guitar player because of it. Aesthetically, the Thompson crew delivers the best finish I have ever seen.”
 
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpbDnuVQEKw[/embed]
[embed]https://youtu.be/qluigYzq_-E[/embed]

Joe Cicero

Joe Cicero

Joe Cicero is part of the band Fireside Collective - http://www.firesidecollectiveband.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAHXOmiXkvQ [yottie id="31"]  

Jon Stickley

Jon Stickley

Jon Stickley is known for his rapid-fire flatpicking, and his ability to blend different musical elements from across the board to create a sound that is all his own. Based in Asheville, North Carolina, this Durham native has been in various bands throughout the years, including Colorado’s legendary Broke Mountain, and several Asheville based bands. The Jon Stickley Trio has become his primary focus, and the vessel through which he presents his original music. – Courtesy of jonstickley.com “Stickley’s powerful flatpicking gathers influences from the greats such as Tony Rice, but also allows for other, more modern, sounds to creep in. ‘Darth Radar’ is a rapid-fire take that moves from a serious ska beat to burning surf-style runs that would make Dick Dale proud.” –Premier Guitar, Jason Shadrick [yottie id="30"]

Lindsay Lou

Lindsay Lou

Sporting her custom Thompson 00-12SMM, Lindsay Lou is making big waves in the Folk/Americana world. In Lindsay's own words, she was "born the daughter of a coal miner and the granddaughter of a rainbow gathering healer," a background which seeps into every essence of her music. With a deeply rooted Americana sound that evokes sentiment of blue-collar American grit; Lindsay Lou pushes tradition with deep, expansive lyrical work and hauntingly beautiful melodies. She tours internationally and has played on legendary stages such as Telluride Bluegrass, Merlefest, Redwing, Stagecoach and a slew of others. We're proud to have Lindsay as a member of the Thompson Family. https://www.lindsayloumusic.com/

Jordan Tice

Jordan Tice

Jordan Tice took a tour of the shop while in Sisters for a show at The Belfry. After being wow'd by guitars in the demo room, Jordan decided to join the Thompson Family. From Jordan's website: “The free-wheeling Jordan Tice’s art basks in joyous spontaneity. For one as musically adept as him, the intricacies of his performance are best met by a feeling of irreverence. He meshes his artful intuition with an utterly human quintessence, jubilantly bearing warts and all through the delivery of lyrical wonders that can be as wistful and romantic as they may be earnest or unbecoming.” http://jordantice.net/

Travis Book

Travis Book

Travis Book is a founding member of the Infamous Stringdusters and host of "The Travis Book Happy Hour." From Travis' Website: "I’m a musician and a father. I live in North Carolina, I was raised in Colorado, started life in Kansas, and lived in Tennessee and Virginia on the way to NC. I host Travis Book & Friends most Tuesdays at 185 King St. in Brevard, NC. The first and third Wednesdays I host The Travis Book Happy Hour live from the Grey Eagle in Asheville, NC. It streams free and live on Facebook." thetravisbook.com [yottie id="29"]

Pete Kartsounes

Pete Kartsounes

An award winning singer-songwriter, flat picker, and cutting-edge musician's musician, Pete Kartsounes is no stranger to life out on the road. He has spent over two decades bringing his voice and guitar to stages all over the world. After 19 years submerged in the Colorado bluegrass scene sharing the stage with bands such as Leftover Salmon, Greensky Bluegrass and Yonder Mountain String Band, Pete now resides in Bend, OR spending most of his days teaching guitar, song schools, and touring with his dynamic act The Good Time Travelers.  Pete continues to push the boundaries of the eclectic world of acoustic music. 

  "I have always looked for a certain warm, yet rounded, tone in my acoustic guitar. From the first time I laid my hands on my Preston Thompson guitar I have looked no further. From the beginning of the building process from their "top shelf" luthiers, to it now being my best friend on the road, I am proud to take to this guitar onto the stages and into the ears of acoustic music lovers." Check out Pete at his webiste - www.petekmusic.com [yottie id="23"]

Max Davies

Max Davies

  BIO From Kitchen Dwelleres website:

Among the many natural wonders in Montana, Wise River runs for about 30 miles through the Southwestern region of the state, cutting through the mountains and flowing into the Big Hole River. Beyond being a favorite spot for fly fishermen, it remains etched into the topography of the land itself.  Two hours away in Bozeman, Kitchen Dwellers equally embody the spirit and soul of their home with a sonic palette as expansive as Montana’s vistas. The quartet—Shawn Swain [Mandolin], Torrin Daniels [banjo], Joe Funk [upright bass], and Max Davies [acoustic guitar]—twist bluegrass, folk, and rock through a kaleidoscope of homegrown stories, rich mythology, American west wanderlust, and psychedelic hues. After amassing 5 million-plus streams, selling out shows, and receiving acclaim from Huffington Post, Relix, American Songwriter, and more, the group brings audiences back to Big Sky Country on their third full-length album, Wise River, working with Cory Wong of Vulfpeck as producer.

“Since we weren’t on the road due to COVID-19, the music we wrote was different,” Max reveals. “It was more introspective. There were a lot of ties to Montana.”

“For the first time, we were all home for 365 days in a row, which hasn’t happened in ten years,” adds Shawn. “We were thinking of the quieter lifestyle encapsulated in the area. That comes through.”

“In the past, our songs would touch on the physical aspects of the state or reference its history and nature,” says Torrin. “These songs are more introspective, because they come from the perspective of actually being in one place. The vibe is a little more serious—given the weirdness of the past year and the shit everyone has been dealing with. Our little corner of the world has always delt with hard winters, but the whole world felt it in 2020.”

At the same time, their music continues to resound beyond that little corner. They’ve captivated audiences at hallowed venues such as Red Rocks Amphitheatre and performed alongside everyone from Railroad Earth and Twiddle to The Infamous String Dusters in addition to playing festivals such as Northwest String Summit, WinterWonderGrass, and more. They’ve released two critically acclaimed albums—Ghost In The Bottle [2017] and Muir Maid [2019]—and a live record, Live from the Wilma [2021]. They broke up 2020 with an EP of Pink Floyd covers entitled Reheated, Vol. 2. It was heralded by a two-night livestream concert, Live From The Cabin, beamed out to audiences from the Bridger Mountains. Additionally, they appeared at the Live From Out There virtual festival and even took over a drive-in movie theater for an in-person gig in between regular writing sessions together throughout the year.

In order to bring the new tunes to life, they recruited Cory behind the board as producer. Holing up at Creation Studios in Minneapolis, they recorded Wise River in just four days.

“Cory brought a little more orchestration,” Shawn reveals. “He helped us really think differently and evolve the sound as a band.”

On the single and title track “Wise River,” banjo brushes up against acoustic guitar as visuals of a “lonely river town where the barfly knows you best,” “the ghosts of miners,” and a place “where the snow can fall like cannonballs and lonesome wind blows bitter.”

“The town of Wise River is basically a forgotten spot on the map,” Shawn says. “It used to be a thriving place with many prosperous mines, but now it’s practically dried up. There’s a hell of a lot of melancholy. In our mind, it symbolizes the overall feeling of being in slowed-down Montana life.”

Meanwhile, “Stand At Ease” gallops along on nimbly strummed banjo and bright piano towards a chanting chorus, “I can’t stand to see what you’ve done to be free.”

“That one is based on the mental health issues in the music industry coming to light over the past couple of years,” Joe reveals. “It’s about losing a lot of our friends and idols.”

“Paradise Valley” surveys the landscape as the lyrics visit the remnants of underground bunkers once occupied by a doomsday cult in the north. The finale “Their Names Are The Trees” recants another true story of tragedy in the wilderness.

“A good friend of ours is a wildland firefighter,” Shawn goes on. “He was stationed out in Oregon on the Beachie Creek Fire, which destroyed maybe three towns and killed several people. One night, they were 15 miles back from the fire line. They wondered where the fire had moved in the wind, but it overtook their camp, the entire town they were stationed in, and wiped it out. Several people didn’t make it.”

In the end, Kitchen Dwellers share timeless American stories from the heart of one of its greatest treasures.

“When you listen to Wise River, I hope you hear some of the original qualities that made us who we are, but you also recognize aspects that are new and adventurous,” Max leaves off. “If you go to a studio with a whole new batch of songs, it should never be the same as the last time. I hope you hear what it sounds like when the four of us are at home and have the space to create something together. This album is really how we sound as a band.”

 

Dale Adkins

Dale Adkins

As a part of Grammy nominee Kate MacKenzie's touring band, Dale has performed across the U.S. and Europe. Many of the Northwest's premier Bluegrass bands have benefited from Dale's creative mastery of the guitar including the groups Out of the Blue, Dr. Corn's Bluegrass Remedy, Frontline, True North, Old Growth Acoustic Quartet.  Dale’s first solo release, “Alone in the Red Room,” has opened a new musical chapter. The CD is a significant departure from high-energy bluegrass flatpicking, and shows a dimensional fusion of the fingerstyle guitar played with a flat-pick. Dale Adkins' musical influences can be traced to his parents' love of music with many hours spent playing and singing at home and family reunions . By the age of six his instruments of choice were ukulele and banjo, by sixteen his love for the guitar had eclipsed his other interests.

Danny Burns

Danny Burns

From Danny's website - a bit more about him - we are happy that he has a Thompson D-MA and we appreciate his talent and support!

Rising Americana singer Danny Burns is back with his brand new single, “Many Moons Ago.” Serving as the first taste from the Irish-born hitmaker’s upcoming sophomore project slated for release in early 2021, the track features Grammy-winning singer Sarah Jarosz on vocals as well as octave mandolin. As previously announced, the record will be released via Bonfire Music Group, who will handle marketing and distribution. Fans can download the haunting ballad HERE.

“‘Many Moons Ago’ took years to get the recording stages just right,” says Burns. “I couldn’t have been happier to work with the brilliant and talented Sarah Jarosz on this track. I was delighted and grateful to have her lend her veracity.”

“Many Moons Ago” picks up right where Burns’ critically-acclaimed debut North Country left off. With its edgy production and haunting melodies, the single is a perfect fit for fall, as the seasons begin to change. The singer took his musical talents to new highs, serving as the writer for the song, along with producing the recording at Galt Line Studio in Nashville, Tenn. To celebrate the release, Burns is also excited to reveal a special visualizer video for fans to watch, listen and feel the vibes from the epic track. Watch it HERE.

Burns burst onto the national scene with the release of his early 2019 debut album North Country. Two decades before releasing the project, Burns kicked off his career as a traveling Folk singer, logging shows on both sides of the Atlantic. He’s been on the road ever since, sharpening a sound that mixes the folk traditions of his native Ireland with diverse American influences. The collection turned many heads, securing praise and coverage in top publications like Rolling Stone, CMT, American Songwriter, Billboard, No Depression and more. The star-studded collection saw Burns teaming with top artists like Dan Tyminski, Tift Merritt, Holly Williams, Mindy Smith, Cara Dillon, Tim O’Brien, Critter Fuqua and Chessboxer. North Country was accompanied by a major North American tour, which saw Burns performing at select cities in the United States including New York City, Washington DC, Boston, New Orleans, Nashville, Philadelphia and more.


Al Petteway

Al Petteway

Al Petteway has had a long career playing acoustic guitar as both a solo artist and as a side person for artists including Peter Rowan, Jethro Burns, Jonathan Edwards, Cheryl Wheeler, Debi Smith, Bonnie Rideout and more. His very first album, recorded with Japanese mandolinist Akira Otsuka as part of the group Grazz Matazz, included guest appearances by Bela Fleck, Jethro Burns, and Mike Auldridge. Since that time, he has been featured on dozens of internationally released albums in both the Celtic and Fingerstyle guitar worlds. He was named one of the top 50 acoustic guitarists of all time by the readers of Acoustic Guitar magazine and has won many awards including a Grammy and an Indie. His original music and playing can be heard on a number of PBS documentaries by Ken Burns, most notably the Emmy-winning National Parks series which featured his music throughout and used his tune "Sligo Creek" as the main theme of the film. Al tours and performs both as a solo artist and with his wife Amy White. They live in the mountains of Western North Carolina where he also does video demos for the well-known online retailer, Dream Guitars and coordinates the world famous Swannanoa Gathering Guitar Week each summer. https://www.alandamy.com/ [yottie id="12"]

Robbie Schaefer

Robbie Schaefer

Robbie Schaefer is a musician, storyteller, and playwright devoted to art as activism. He is the guitarist and songwriter for the indie folk band Eddie From Ohio (150,000 cd’s sold and winners of 7 Washington Area Music Awards), and has released several solo albums, including his most recent, 2014â€Čs Ruby. He is also the founder of OneVoice, an international non-profit devoted to uniting and empowering youth through music and the creative arts. The organization has on-going projects in Tanzania, Nicaragua, India, and Pikpa refugee camp in Lesvos, Greece. Robbie served as on-air host and Music Director at Sirius XM Satellite Radio’s Kids Place Live from 2007-2012, and in 2012 and 2016 presented TEDx Youth talks in Boulogne-Billancourt (Paris), France. His first work for musical theater, LIGHT YEARS, will premiere at the Signature Theatre (Arlington, VA) in February, 2018. Born out of a deep desire to serve the world through his art and inextricably linked to his own creative and spiritual exploration, Robbie’s work continues in service of his core mission as an artist: to cultivate and illuminate the creative spark that is the essence of every human being. Also, he really loves olives. Like, a lot. Thompson guitars inlay designer, Simon Haycraft, created an Olive Branch inlay for Robbie’s guitar’s headstock.  See detail photos. [yottie id="21"]

Greg Payne

Greg Payne

Greg Payne is the front-man of outlaw-country group The Piedmont Boys. From The Piedmont Boys' Website: The Piedmont Boys started out in Greenville, SC over a decade ago by frontman Greg Payne. They’ve played thousands of shows, logged thousands of miles, released four albums, toured half the continental U.S., shared stages with everyone from Eric Church to Charlie Robison..hell, they’ve even played rodeos from Oregon to Texas. But wherever they go, the refrain of the fans who come up to them remains the same: “I never liked country music until I heard y’all.” https://www.thepiedmontboys.com/

Julian Davis

Julian Davis

  https://www.facebook.com/JulianDavisMusic00/

Kenny Feinstein

Kenny Feinstein

Kenny Feinstein has a enthusiasm that is contagious - we have thoroughly enjoyed his visits to the shop and sharing his music!  He is the founder of the band Water Tower in Los Angeles. https://www.watertowerband.com/about
Based in Los Angeles, this old-timey punk rock revivalist band goes by the name of Water Tower. They released their debut album “Fly Around” on March 27, 2020. This is the sixth album for founder Kenny Feinstein, but the first with Portland's own Dutch Records. The album is a ten-track collection of songs rooted in bluegrass and folk, indie rock and a dash of electronic landscaping. This album represents a transition for Feinstein and the re-birth of the band in it’s neighborhood of Echo Park in Los Angeles. The new album manages to blend psychedelic and punk influences weaved into their traditional love of Bluegrass and Americana instruments, creating their mixed bag of branded music. Feinstein has teamed up with Joe "Juice" Berglund and Tommy Drinkard as the formal tour line-up, for three great reasons. They each play multiple instruments (fiddle, banjo, guitar, lap steel). They all share the same amount of passion for traditional bluegrass as well as punk and indie music. You can find them performing at festivals with multiple sets of old time bluegrass like songs like that of Flatts & Scruggs, Dr. Ralph Stanley, Bill Monroe or the Carter Family. (Huck Finn Jubilee 2020) Then again you catch them at a local pub performing their versions of the Germs, Rancid and Lou Reed Songs. You will however, always get some Water Tower originals which are fan favorites and you'll hear what is "coined" as Feinstein's song-crafting, that music that keeps fans coming back for more.

Will Cassell

Will Cassell

Will Cassell is a talented musician, songwriter and audio engineer based in Tennessee. https://www.facebook.com/willcassellmusic/

Thomas Cassell

Thomas Cassell

Thomas Cassell is a skilled multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, pictured above with his custom D-MA. From Thomas' Website:

"Originally from the sacred bluegrass mountains of southwestern Virginia, Thomas Cassell is among the highest rank of modern bluegrass musicians.  Cassell is a founding member of respected progressive group Circus No. 9, and has performed with Billy Strings, the Bryan Sutton Band, Jim Lauderdale, Missy Raines, Becky Buller, and countless others.  Now a resident of East Tennessee, he is cultivating new and progressive original music – not ignorant of the great traditions that preceded him – all through the lens of the mandolin.

In 2020 Cassell was awarded the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Momentum Instrumentalist of the Year award.  He is also the winner of the 2016 Rockygrass mandolin contest, and a two-time alum of the prestigious Acoustic Music Seminar in Savannah Georgia, where he collaborated with artists including Darrell Scott, Bryan Sutton, Mike Marshall, Aoife O’Donovan, Kaia Kater, and Julian Lage.

https://thomascassell.com/

Cassell teaches mandolin instruction at East Tennessee State University and University of the South."


Zach Top

Zach Top

BIO from ZACH's Webiste -  https://zachtop.net Zach's YouTube Channel When contemporary influences expand country music’s parameters, you’ll hear “Country Music ain’t like it used to be” as a common refrain. But 24-year-old ZACH TOP is reviving the spirit of 90’s traditionalists like George Strait, Keith Whitley, and Randy Travis with classic vibes that evoke the dance halls of Texas, the roar of the rodeo, and jukebox ballads with a cold beer in hand. There’s nothing more current than old school country to Zach, who grew up on a ranch in Washington State. He recalls rockin’ Marty Robbins’ Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs while riding out to feed livestock each day and forming a bluegrass band with his siblings at the age of seven. In his teens, he joined Seattle-based band North Country and later became a member of Modern Tradition (winners of the 2017 SPBGMA International Band Competition). When his honky-tonk dreams took him to Nashville, his single “Like It Ain’t No Thing” (RBR Entertainment) hit #1 on the Bluegrass Today chart. As it turns out, his skills as a traditional instrumentalist and storyteller did more than establish credibility with aficionados – it earned him a crucial publishing deal with Bob Doyle’s Major Bob Music and created an instant bond with the very guys who wrote the hits of his heroes. Zach explains, “I feel like I got a lifetime of on-the-job training, just listening day-in, day-out to how this music was crafted. Then, I ‘graduated’ to Nashville and became a sort of understudy to guys who turned ‘ranch songs’ into radio hits. Now, I can’t consider a song done until it’s something I think King George would cut. No pressure
” he says with a laugh. Now, as Top picks up speed, and calls start coming in from the most revered gatekeepers in Country Music (he’ll make his Grand Ole Opry debut on July 27, 2022), you can expect much more from this “understudy” to prolific and revered music-makers. Zach has a staggering five cuts on Joshua Hedley’s new album, Neon Blue (Country & Western, Down To My Last Lie, Free (One Heart), Found In A Bar, and Wonder If You Wonder). He’s also the young-gun collaborator to guys like Carson Chamberlain (a #1 songwriter, producer, and musician whose worked with Keith Whitley, Clint Black, Alan Jackson, and George Strait); Paul Overstreet (a two-time Grammy winner and Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame Inductee); Tim Nichols (Grammy winner for Best Country Song and Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee); Mark Nesler (George Strait, Tim McGraw, Billy Currington, Keith Urban); Gary Harrison (Deana Carter, George Strait); and Michael White (Blake Shelton).
https://moderntraditionband.com/home https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImrAcS7xxBM   https://youtu.be/VtvVZwZhY-4 [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhAxGLXP60I[/embed]

Allen Shadd

Allen Shadd

Allen was the winner of Winfield a few years ago and it was our first time in recent history providing a prize guitar as a choice for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners.   Allen choose our guitar and we could not be more proud.  Thanks Allen for your support over the years and hope to see you again soon! Allen Shadd is a three-time National Flatpicking champion, as well as a past winner of the Merlefest guitar competition, Rocky Grass, the Wayne Henderson guitar competition, and many more. He has taught at a number of prestigious music camps including Steve Kaufman's Kamps, The Alabama Folk School, and the Swannanoa Gathering. He has performed or recorded with artists that has included Tom T. Hall, Claire Lynch, Jimmy Fortune, Norman Blake, Mark Johnson, Darin and Brooke Aldridge, John Cowan, and many more.He also performed as a member of the Charlotte based WBT Briarhoppers from 2019- 2021 including their induction ceremony into the NC Music Hall of Fame in 2020.In 2021-2022 he performed as a duo with Kristen Holloway. Allen grew up in Florida and lived there for over 40 years before moving to the Carolinas where he has resided since 2005.

John Cruz

John Cruz

John Cruz is a Grammy-Award winning musician from Palolo Valley on Oahu, Hawaii. https://www.johncruz.com/ From John's Website:
Hawaiian singer-songwriter John Cruz engages audiences with rich storytelling through songs ranging from Hawaiian to blues, folk, R&B and more. Cruz is a  multi-time NaHoku Hanohano Award-winner and contributed a composition and song to the GRAMMY¼ award-winning album ‘Slack Key Guitar, Vol. 2.’ Captivating guitar playing, soulful vocals and a compassionate, genuine heart make Cruz one of Hawaii’s most beloved artists. On stage, he fully embodies every song with this alluring energy translating to his acclaimed albums, ‘Acoustic Soul’ (one of the best selling Hawaii records of all time) and ‘One of These Days’ (bowed at #4 on Billboard’s World Music chart). Today, over 1 million people stream Cruz’s music every year as he enjoys regular plays on SiriusXM, prominent features on hit Playing for Change videos (“The Weight”, “Jokerman” and “All Along The Watchtower”) and a new, long-term concert residency at one of Hawaii’s top listening rooms, ProArts Studio in Kihei, Maui. Click here for insight into John’s early life and storied career.
[yottie id="32"]  

Tom Knowlton

Tom Knowlton

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li4q-OKsLgg  

Holten Doucette

Holten Doucette


Jeff Miller

Jeff Miller

Jeff Miller’s musical interests began to take root in Portland, OR where he started playing guitar for touring jazz bands. After years of serving in local church music programs Jeff made Central Oregon his home and formed a band with Ben Delery. The band started off as two friends playing open mic nights has turned into Toast & Jam who have now had the opportunity to play on some of the most iconic stages in the US, playing with and opening for some country music’s biggest talents. You can catch them all over Central Oregon, Nashville, TN and everywhere in between. “When I picked up a Thompson for the first time I was overwhelmed. The clarity, and the low end punch coupled with the even distribution of sound across the entire register was amazing. I hadn’t ever played or heard a guitar like that before. I was ruined for life. I have played some of the finest vintage and custom built guitars around and by far my Thompsons’ are the go to guitar every time no matter where we are playing. At home, on the road, or studio. My Brazilian Rosewood Dreadnaught is in a class all its own clear loud yet elegant and precise. And My mahogany dreadnaught gives me that woody sound that “hog” produces. This one has it in spades”. Better than any D18 style guitar I have ever played. Not to mention the Team at Thompson is amazing. Christine Funk was gracious enough to come by a recording session and offered up some guitars to try, and you know they made it on the record. We are hooked for life and fans to the core. Thanks you guys, you are amazing!   Video Links: https://youtu.be/nicpn2xM6z4 https://youtu.be/9PcBl83FFjY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tnjband/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toast.jm    

Ben Delery

Ben Delery

Ben’s musical journey began as a kid when he started taking piano lessons in Bend Oregon. He would go on to play music in the church for much of his life, and continues to this day. He picked up his first guitar when he was in high school and some of the first music he learned was bluegrass. He would spend over a decade accompanying musicians, singers and performers in Central Oregon in a wide array of genres like Musical Theatre, Jazz, Rock, and Gospel. In 2017, he had the fortunate luck to meet Jeff Miller shortly after he moved to Bend. Jeff tried out to be on the worship team at the church that Ben led at. They became fast friends, and the very first time they played music together, they hatched a plan to venture out and play an open mic as it was a long time goal for both.  Before the band Toast & Jam was started, a friend heard them rehearsing a song, and commented “You guys go together so well. It’s like Toast and Jam”. Shortly after playing their first open mic, they formed the band, and the rest is history. The evolution of the band has taken place over the past several years, going from a duo to a full band, back to a duo and now in its sweet spot of a four-piece country/bluegrass band. Ben had the opportunity to play a Thompson guitar during their first time ever in the studio. “We were recording in the Belfry, and Christine Funk asked us if we wanted to use a Thompson on one of the tracks.” He would go on to record one of their three initial recordings with a Thompson and was blown away by the resonance, playability, and sound of the guitar. “It was unlike any guitar I had ever had the opportunity to play. I fell in love with the sound, and hoped I could own one someday.”. We’re honored to have the opportunity to own these fine guitars, and humbled to be mentioned here among so many talented and accomplished artists. Thompson Guitars are some of the finest people around and we’re grateful to be a part of the family! Video Links: https://youtu.be/nicpn2xM6z4 https://youtu.be/9PcBl83FFjY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tnjband/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toast.jm  

Brandon Bostic

Brandon Bostic

Thanks to our only left-handed featured player, Brandon Bostic! A talented picker and Dobro player that has had a long history in Nashville and won an emerging artist award in 2006 with the band Blue Moon Rising. Brandon was an essential member of Blue Moon Rising since 2001. His strong and soulful lead vocals, combined with his stellar musicianship on Guitar, Mandolin, and Dobro were a true asset to the group. He has played professionally in the past with Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike and now runs his own recording and production studio, Root Note Studio." He was a featured guitar player on CrĂȘpe Paper Heart that came out in April of 2018 that mainly features past and present members of the Becky Buller Band. He has also been an instructor at the Nashville Dobro Camp in June of 2018. Thanks Brandon for coming on board and enjoying the sound of your Thompson! P.S. - One of his alternative gigs involves The Darrell Brothers - Internet and Americana media personalities. Here they are at the NPR Tiny Desk Contest in 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UNqWkNu1ns  

Brett Bass

Brett Bass

The founder and flat picking front man of Grandpa's Cough Medicine, Brett Bass is shedding his outlaw skin to bring his powerful guitar and songwriting to the forefront of American bluegrass. Through the course of his 10-year bluegrass career, Brett took 1st prize at the 2015 RockyGrass flat pick guitar contest, has shared the stage with Grammy winners The Del McCoury Band, Jim Lauderdale, and Steep Canyon Rangers, as well as Jam Grass pioneers like Yonder Mountain String Band, Larry Keel , Leftover Salmon and Billy Strings. He also had the honor of filling the guitar role several times with The Travelin' McCourys, and has taught guitar workshops with Chris Luquette, Jon Stickley, Larry Keel, Jeff Autry and more. Melted Plectrum is the ace band of pickers Brett has assembled across Florida to deliver his music with the dexterity, drive and authenticity required. They are Benny McDowell on Banjo, Joey Lazio on Mandolin, and Rex Putnam on Upright Bass. - Courtesy of brettbassmusic.com


Charlie Whitten

Charlie Whitten

Biography
Charlie Whitten grew up during the last gasp of the 20th century, a time when grungy rock bands and teen idols ruled the airwaves. You can’t blame the guy for looking back a bit, for rustling through his Dad’s collection of vintage records and finding some better music to soundtrack his life. Years later, the Nashville-based songwriter is rolling those influences into his own sound, a mellow brand of folk-rock that tips its hat to Pink Floyd’s psychedelic swirl one minute and Simon and Garfunkel’s acoustic wistfulness the next. Some would call him an old soul. Others would just say he’s got good taste. “For me, the ‘60s and ‘70s were the golden age for songwriting,” he says. “That’s when songs seemed to be the real focus, and people reached outside the box. The chords and melodies used were unheard of.” Dreaming, Whitten’s 2012 debut, channeled some of the trippier sounds that came out of those two decades, from Dark Side of the Moon to Big Star’s Sister Lovers. The album was lush. It was dreamy. Keyboards, horns, and percussion collided, creating a soft foundation for Whitten’s vocals and guitar leads. When it came time to write songs for 2014’s Hey Love, though, Whitten took the electric guitar out of the forefront and focused on a quieter, stripped-down sound. In other words: less David Gilmour, more Don McLean. A concept album about searching for love, Hey Love begins and ends with different sections of the same song. Fashioned like bookends, the first half tells the story of a couple parting ways, each partner in search of something else. In the second, they reconcile, knowing that things might not be perfect... but at least they’re real. Whitten took a similar approach to the album itself, which was recorded during a series of live sessions with a four-piece band. Overdubs were eventually added, too, but Whitten put his foot down when it came to the use of a click track. He didn’t want that. He wanted the songs to sway, to sound natural, to sound like songs. “Any Charlie Whitten album has to sound like a band album,” he explains, “and I didn’t want a band of session players. I wanted a group of friends, of creative thinkers who could play the songs with feeling. I think a music album should be very similar to a photo album: a series of 'pictures' with the people you know, things you've seen, and places you've been within a period of time.” Maybe that’s why Hey Love sounds so comfortable, so familiar. The songs tackle big subjects, but they do so with small, laidback touches: a whistling solo here, a burst of organ there, and a whole lot of melody throughout. credits https://www.facebook.com/hearcharlie/ by Andrew C. Leahey
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JR0e3RBLFH4[/embed]    

Gustavo Fofao

Gustavo Fofao


Jessica Lang

Jessica Lang

Jessie is honored to be named an endorsing artist for Thompson Guitar and appreciates her mentor, Tim May, for introducing her to the Preston Thompson family.
Jessica Lang is a gifted 16 year old singer-songwriter and flatpicker.  As lead singer and guitarist for The Lang Sisters, her band has been invited to compete in the esteemed band contest to be held at MerleFest in April of 2018.  Growing up listening to bluegrass, folk, and Appalachian music, she was intrigued by Doc Watson and his flatpicking guitar skills.  Excited to learn guitar at age 9, she attended local jams in the Piedmont area of North Carolina and then truly blossomed when she joined the Junior Appalachian Musicians program in Chatham County, NC.  While there, she also studied mandolin and voice, and quickly proved to be a talented vocalist and skilled flatpicker with a keen ability to learn music by ear.  In the past 6 years, this young lady has won awards for guitar, vocals, mandolin, duet, and band ensembles at multiple music festivals throughout the southeast.    As the lead singer and guitarist for both the Lang Sisters duet and band, her band took 2nd place in the Got to Be NC Statewide Bluegrass Band competition in May 2017, competing against 7 adult bands. Her band also performed on the nationally syndicated PBS Song of the Mountains television show in July 2017.   At the young age of 14, she recorded her first CD, Coming Home, with her duet partner and older sister Chloe.  She also performs with the elite Kids on Bluegrass ensemble, sponsored by IBMA each year at the international convention held in Raleigh, NC.  Jessica has studied guitar with Bryan Sutton, as well as many regional performing artists from the southeast.  At Kaufman Kamp and the Swannanoa Gathering, she has had the good fortune to study with some of her favorite artists such as Tim May, Josh Goforth, Mark Cosgrove, Wayne Taylor, Courtney Hartman, Doug Yoemans, Tyler Grant, Greg Ruby and Peppino D’Agostino. She also writes original songs, one of which recently took 3rd place at The Carolina in the Fall songwriting competition, and has co-written songs with Rick Lang, IBMA Songwriter Committee chair. Jessica also plays guitar with her high school jazz band, sings in her choir, and is a member of the a cappella club.   Jessica loves mentoring youth and has assisted teachers at the annual PineCone summer bluegrass camps in Raleigh, NC and serves as a choral assistant with the Wake Forest Community Children’s Choir.  Her band has performed throughout the southeast, including WoodSongs Dalton, GA, IBMA, RenoFest, NC State Fair, PineCone Music of the Carolinas series, Midtown Bluegrass and Pickin’ in the Plaza series, the Eno River Festival, City of Raleigh First Night, Artsplosure festivals and many other venues throughout North Carolina. Jessica enjoys performing as a solo artist, as well as, duet and band leader for the Lang Sisters.  She also serves as the lead guitarist and is a founding member of The Carolina PineCones bluegrass band, and collaborates with a number of talented musicians for special performances. Jessica hopes to study music in college, and is considering either music therapy, education or performance degree programs.
http://www.jessielangmusic.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQX8WlQwF40 [yottie id="27"]

Hunter Fletcher

Hunter Fletcher

Born in Leesburg, Florida native Hunter Fletcher loved music since the day he was born and destined to become a musician. Moving to Gulfport Florida when he was 5 was a life changing event for him. Gulfport is comprised of many musicians and artists, rather than hanging out with the local kids Hunter sought out the artists and musicians. It was then he started to cut his teeth in the public spotlight. He was learning to weld sculptures at 5 and then went on to become a glass blower. He bought an electric guitar at age 8 and started to play it then switched to bass guitar when his father decided to pick it back up and start playing music again. After 2 years of playing bass he was asked to start playing at open mics with local musicians. He then started playing guitar again. Acoustic this time around. Soon after he was playing out regularly with bands at venues throughout the Tampa Bay area. Hunter continues to learn and progress as a musician. He strives for perfection and is his own worst critic. He has been playing out the past few years, most recently as the guitarist for RootBound Revival, and at such shows and venues as BayGrass Bluegrass Fest with Billy Strings, First Night Downtown St. Petersburg, Old Key West, Fubar, Mad Beach Fish House, The St. Pete Folk Fest, Radio Station WMNF and The Palladium in St Petersburg Fl. He musical influences include, Tony Rice, Earl Scruggs, Jimmy Martin, Lester Flatt, Ralph Stanley , Billy Strings, The Who, The Dixie Dregs, Blue Oyster Cult, outlaw country, and a slew of others. Hunter is currently being home schooled and plans on attending St. Petersburg College Majoring in the MIRA (Music Industry and Recording Arts, Performance) program within the next year.
https://www.hunterfletchermusic.com/ [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJXQ51WFfdM&feature=youtu.be[/embed]   [embed]https://youtu.be/iCkdRVLabkw[/embed]

Grace Constable

Grace Constable

Grace Constable is a young up and coming musician. She's currently going to school for audio engineering. https://www.facebook.com/agraceconstable/


@Instagram