Album Notes

The 'classic rock' songs and bands of the 70s and 80s like 'Aerosmith', 'Foreigner' and 'Journey' have made a strong impression on me and my own song writing. I have always been a fan of the lyrics of Steven Tyler, Lou Gramm and Mick Jones, and Steve Perry and their unique way of bringing out in song those things that we hold dear in our hearts and our lives. These are the things that I also like to write about and 'These Times Ain't Easy', 'The Man I Want To Be' and 'The Rush' talk about these same situations and feelings.

But, 'Any Questions?!!' is not just about personal themes. Just as with 'Aerosmith', 'Journey' and 'Foreigner' there are the good time rockers like 'Any Questions?!!', 'Rock&Blues...The Rules', and 'Her Heartbreak Kid' (not about heartbreak by the way) that keep the tempo rockin'. In short, there is quite an assortment of themes and stories and alternate versions of songs on 'Any Questions?!!' and I hope that you enjoy them all.

I have been involved in the music business as a singer/songwriter, guitarist/bass player, band leader/sideman for over 30 years in the context of a single or in duos, trios and larger acts. I have been a part of the playing, writing, recording and producing of several of the acts that I've been in, but since 1995 I have concentrated on my writing and the recording of material that I have created. This has allowed me to complete and put out 3 CDs of my own songs. I appear as 'David Thompson & RIDER' in a band context and have opened for Ted Nugent, REO Speedwagon and a local signed act MadSide as well as several lesser known unsigned acts. I also appear as a singer/songwriter as either a single or in a duo context with a lead player. I have had 2 of my songs 'Lookin' For My Baby' and 'Keep My Lovin' Alive' played on the ABC daytime drama 'All My Children' a total of 9 times on 8 episodes since July 14th, '03, the most current episode being Nov. 1st, 05 and I have had 8 songs picked up by 3 publishers 'Essential Music', 'LA Music Library' and 'Transition Music' for, hopefully, future placements (you've got to be an optimist in this business). While I have enjoyed performing over the years with a full band it has been over the last 10 years that I have discovered the additional pleasure of performing my songs as a single or duo and the greater intimacy and connection with the audience that it provides. I can actually see eyes and expressions, which makes the performance more enjoyable for me and by extension for the audience. I continue to write and record and to seek out live performance opportunities for myself and to promote 'RIDER' as an opening act for touring major name bands playing concerts in Northern Calif. It looks like my goal of getting my music out to the public is starting to be realized, but, there's still a lot of hard work to do and additional goals to achieve, but, I truly believe that the odds are better than the lottery and besides, I think music is much more fun.