Album Notes

Second Wind is a family band consisting of the Thompson family. They are all Colorado natives, and continue to make the Colorado mountains their home. They play various styles of music including contemporary bluegrass, “punkgrass”, original folk music, and gospel. Their mix of hard-driving traditional bluegrass tunes, delightful original songs, and fresh instrumentals makes for an evening of laughter and tears, sprinkled with some definite awe-inspiring moments.

The Thompson family is made up of a dad, mom, and two teenaged children. Joel (Dad) is the most experienced musician in the band, both vocally and instrumentally. He plays rhythm, flat-pick, and fingerstyle guitar along with occasional stints on the mandolin and banjo. Joel sings lead and harmony vocals with a rich, strong voice, and has written several songs for the band. Mary (Mom) provides the foundation of the music on acoustic bass, and sings back-up vocals. She also handles the band’s scheduling.

Travis is 20 years old, and his primary instrument is the mandolin. In 2003 at the National Flat-picking Championships in Winfield, Kansas, Travis brought home First Prize in the Mandolin Contest. He plays mandolin with the fast-picking style that is becoming very popular with young, next-generation bluegrass fans. He also plays banjo and guitar, and sings lead and harmony vocals.

Breanna, at 17 years old, plays violin and fiddle with a skill well above her age level, and occasionally picks up the guitar for a song or two. She has already written several songs for the band. Her solo vocals add a sweetness to the group, and contribute to that unique, Second Wind sound.