Donald Thompson Band

Location: R.A. Fountain

from our promo for this concert

Donald Underwood Thompson, a Fountain favorite as a solo performer, debuts his new blues band comprised of Lenoir County natives and veterans of a dozen other regional bands on Friday night.

Thompson plays rhythm guitar and does most of the band’s lead vocals. Others in his band include Jackie “Sonny Boy” Holland, resonator guitar and harmonica; Chris Jenkins, lead guitar; Carol Wade, bass; and Jason Smith, drums. Wade is also bassist for the Super Grit Cowboy Band.

Thompson, a Kinston native and resident, has been performing as a solo artist and in ensembles in the region since the early 1960s. He has shared billing on shows with David Holt and Molasses Creek. He has played with the Heartbeats and Pride ‘n Joy.

Holland, who grew up on a farm near Deep Run, lives in Woodington. He has played with Almost Legal, a band of law enforcement officers, and Blue English.

Smith, from Deep Run, has played with Sagebrush, Slow Children Playing, the Charlie Albertson Show, and Sundown.

Jenkins, of Sandy Bottom, has played with Category 6, Double Tap, and Entermission.

Wade, from LaGrange, still performs with Super Grit. He has also played with Southern Vision, the Killette Brothers and the Country Showmen, and Cold Sweat.

The Donald Thompson Blues Band will perform a show of classic blues from the 1920s as well as several Thompson original blues compositions like “Lenoir County Chile” and “I Don’t Do It No More,” which are also included on Thompson’s debut CD, The Ocracoke Sessions

Tags: blues, r&b