Area 51 is the third album, of mostly original material, by San Diego based guitarist, Billy Thompson.
BT has performeded "live" with Little Milton, Art Neville, Elvin Bishop, Lucky Peterson, Sir Harry Bowens (Bonnie Raitt,Was Not Was), Mark Campbell (Jack Mack and the Heart Attack) as well as late blues greats, Earl and Albert King ... just to name a few. In '02, he also toured with "Thunder Knocking On The Door". The critically acclaimed "Bluesical" featuring the music of Keb Mo and toured w/ Broadway Musical "It Ain't Nothing But The Blues" in 2000.
Whether working with a quartet, leading a 7 piece horn band like Big Chief or backing such accomplished musicians as Art Neville of the Neville Brothers,... blues icons, Little Milton, Albert and Earl King or even Broadway's Leslie Uggams, singer-songwiter-guitarist Billy Thompson has earned consistent public and critical acclaim since 1987.
Thompson's music bristles with the infectious, syncopated sounds of New Orleans, the electricity of great rock 'n' roll, the punchy verve of Memphis soul and the heartfelt power of blues, funk and jazz.
By turns punchy and poignant, earthy and elegant, his vivid songwriting draws from a rich stylistic well to create classic American music that is steeped in tradition yet unmistakably vital and contemporary.
His tasty, melting pot style is is highlighted on his 1991 debut album, "Coat of Many Colors," "Tangerine Sky" in 1998 and his latest work, "Area 51."
Whether performing original material or covering familiar music everyone has heard, Billy's impassioned vocals, virtuostic guitar work and artistic vision never fail to deliver.
Billy T has performed on ABC TV's " The View" with Barbara Walters, with The San Diego Symphony at San Diego's Symphony Hall, The King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, AR, BB King's in Memphis, BB King's Bar & Grille in New York City, Qualcomm's Super Fest for the 2002 Super Bowl, numerous appearances at Humphrey's Open Air Concerts in San Diego and The San Diego Street Scene, the Grand opening of the House of Blues Los Angeles in 1993 w/ Little Milton and recorded the soundtrack to the critically acclaimed musical, Thunder Knocking On The Door, with platinum recording artist Keb Mo.
Late Delta great, Frank Frost used to request songs written by Thompson on KFFA Radio in Helena, AR.
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