Howdy Folks !  The new year brings “good-things” in the way of teaching, and performances being scheduled.  I continue to teach at Piedmont Community College in Roxboro, offering courses in Guitar & Banjo as well as a Music Appreciation course this semester.  (see poster below)

     Last summer I really enjoyed working w/ Mia Berg and the fine folks over at Historic Duke Homestead, both performing (a great gig w/ Tony Williamson of “Mandolin-Central” at their “Herb-Festival”); the “Children’s Festival” which I did w/ neighbor and newest Farmjazz member: “ace-tubist” (that’s right TUBA !) Mike Stanley; plus lined up a performance there w/ brother-n-law Jess Epperson & the Triad Hot Club (gypsy jazz).   I’m working w/Matt Vernon, Mia Berg, and Duke Homestead State Historic Site again this coming summer to perform for their “2nd-Saturday Festival Events” on June the 11^th & July the 9^th; Also possibly Aug.13^th.   Who knows what “farmjazzers” will join in on these occasions ?  You can get info at:

                  Duke Homestead State Historic Site

                   NC Department of Cultural Resources

                             Ph: (919) 477-5498

                         <matt.vernon@ncdcr.gov>

     Coming-up real soon, On March 12th “fantastical-finger-pickers” and Farmjazz Duo … Tommy Hartley & Michael Thompson (Guitarchitects) w/ be opening for WRAL Channel 5 News Lady “Pam Saulsby” at the newly renovated  COLONIAL THEATRE in South Hill, VA. (see poster below).  For info contact my good buddy Eric Sadoski at:  esadoski@colonialcenterva.org

     Also, "An Enchanted Evening" concert at Ballou Park on April 21 - 6:30 - 7:45 featuring janet Phillips on flute and Mike Thompson on guitar.

      Farmjazz Guitar-Duo Hartley & Thompson will also be making appearances at the Hillsborough Arts&Crafts Festival again this year on Sat. April 16^th, 1-3pm.  This event is sponsored by Hillsborough Arts Council. 

Tommy's BR-73 and Mike's 1907 0-30 Martin

For info contact pianist Stephen Smith at:  sasjammin@gmail.com.

       Tommy Hartley & I are also scheduling several gigs out at: Marina Restaurant in Elizabeth City – April 13^th ;  “Awful Arthurs” in Kill Devil Hills, Wed. May 25^th  & also that weekend back at Marina Restaurant opening for coastal progressive acoustic band:

  “Out in the Cold” check them out: www.outnthecold.com                            

  Next Tues. Feb. 15^th, I’ll be doing a solo performance for “Jazz at Ballou” in the evening at Ballou Park. West Main St. in Danville, VA

    Offering Banjo Lessons now at “Riverland Music” at 440 Main St. Danville, VA. www.riverlandmusic.com  ,  or

Phone: (434) 791-3121.

      I continue to teach guitar & banjo lessons at the Kirby Gallery in Roxboro, NC on Mondays.  For info: phone:  (336) 597-1709. 

   Lastly, but certainly not leastly, Farmjazz just released a new “DixieJass” CD featuring “The WildCat Quartet”; comprised of: Hugh Blackwell on soprano and alto sax & clarinet;  Dick Vines on clarinet;  Bob Hedrick on Bass; and yoursTruly on Guitar & Vocals.  Recorded “Live” at “Michaels on Fifth” Restaurant in Winston-Salem;  you’ll be transported to the FrenchQuarter in NewOrleans with these raucous-renditions of 17 Orleans Jazz classics.  EQ’d and mastered at my buddy Clint Stringer’s Oasis Studio in Reidsville, NC.

Track 1 - Candy Lips

      Email : Michael@Farmjazz to get your copy today !

Thanks for stopping by and I’ll keep you posted on other news and concert events as they come up.  You can check out all the CD’s here on the website’s CD page; also on cdbaby.com; and earbuzz.com.   

               PLUS check-out:  http// www.myspace.com/michaelthompsonfarmjazz

 ---New CD--- ORDER NOW ...... ($14) ...

featuring - "Paracho-Joe"

     The much anticipated new solo CD project by Michael “The Sleepy Gypsy” has just been released and we are thrilled w/ the job OasisCD Duplication did on the packaging as well as the mastering-process through Frankford-Wayne Studios out of NYC.  This project, which began over a year ago as a solo guitar album, has blossomed into a multi-instrumentalists event with Mike Willis adding strings and percussion to a number of tunes; as well as Harris Marley adding bass tracks, and Janet Phillips performs flute on one song.  Michael & Sandy collaborated on the design, and Don Whoppa contributed the liner-notes.  The tunes make-up a “musical-sojourn” that traverses much of Michael’s career as a professional musician and many varied musical styles are presented here.  Included in the 15 Tracks are Cuban Folk melodies, New Orleans jazz, some Joplin ragtime, Brazilian jazz, contemporary compositions by other admired classical players Andrew York and Dusan Bogdanovich, a Lighfoot tune w/ dobros, an original Latin jazz tune by Michael, (“Paracho Joe” which will be sent out to over 500 radio-stations as a part of an Oasis Sampler of featured artists) and even one electronic piece w/ synthesizers inspired by Honnegger.  This new offering by Michael and Guitarchitect Productions is available here at Farmjazz.com.  It will also be available at the other following locations :  Don’s Music City in Danville , VA.  On the internet at :  cdBaby.com  & earbuzz.com.    Don’t miss this exciting new release of original and mystical new arrangements.  A description in one sentence :  “Acoustic-Guitar tapestry of dreamy melodies, woven with exotic rhythms, echoes the Gypsy’s footsteps …. “

     The FarmJazz BANJO PRIMER is the long awaited, (and most requested), publication by FarmJazz custodian Michael Thompson.  This 2-CD- along w/ Banjo-Tablature Booklet-Set is the “answer to a prayer” for banjo students everywhere. It contains 10 of the most popular bluegrass banjo tunes presented initially “at the snail’s pace”; and then several more times; each a “little-bit” faster than the previous version. And then finally, Michael plays the song  at “performance-tempo” and accompanies himself on guitar. Songs included are: Cripple Creek , Cumberland Gap , Old Joe Clark, Foggy Mtn. Breakdown, Lonesome Road Blues, Devils Dream, Home Sweet Home, Lonesome Reuben, Duelin’ Banjoes, Groundspeed.   This “must-have” learning tool is available through Michael for $30 on his farmjazz.com website; at Don’s Music City in Danville , VA ; or personally through Michael himself.