Joe Thompson (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joe Thompson
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Thompson in 2009
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Joseph Aquiler Thompson |
| Born | December 9, 1918 Orange County, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | February 20, 2012 (aged 93) Alamance County, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Genres | Old-time fiddle |
| Occupation(s) | Fiddle player, singer, songwriter |
| Instruments | Fiddle, vocals |
| Years active | Mid 1920s–2012 |
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| Associated acts | Carolina Chocolate Drops |
Joseph Aquiler Thompson (born December 9, 1918 – died February 20, 2012) was an American fiddle player. He was known for playing "old-time" music. This style of music uses instruments like the fiddle and banjo. Joe Thompson was one of the last musicians to continue the tradition of black string bands.
He often played with his cousin, Odell. Joe Thompson received many awards for his old-time music. This was especially true when this type of music became popular again in the 1970s. Later, in the 1980s and 1990s, he recorded his first music albums. These albums featured songs from the true string band style.
Contents
Joe Thompson's Early Life and Music
Joe Thompson was born in Orange County, North Carolina. This was on December 9, 1918. His father, John, played the fiddle. His uncle, Walter, played the banjo. They often performed at local dances and gatherings.
When Joe was seven years old, he started playing the fiddle. He watched his father very carefully. His father's playing style came from old African traditions. Joe soon joined his father and uncle in their performances.
Later, Joe formed his own string band. He played with his older brother Nate and his cousin Odell. Both Nate and Odell played the banjo. Many of their songs were old family tunes. These songs had been passed down since before the American Civil War. Some of these songs included "Hook and Line" and "Cindy Gal."
A Comeback in Music
After serving in the military during World War II, Joe stopped playing music. String band music was not as popular then. He worked in a furniture factory for 28 years. He operated a rip saw machine.
In 1973, a music expert named Kip Lornell heard about Joe and Odell Thompson. He heard they were masters of the old-time style. Kip encouraged them to start playing music again. Joe and Odell began performing as the New String Band Duo.
They played all over the United States and in other countries. They became very popular at folk festivals. The duo performed at famous places like Carnegie Hall. They also played at the National Folk Festival.
Recording Albums and Mentoring Others
In 1989, Joe and Odell recorded an album. It was called Old-Time Music from the North Carolina Piedmont. The Global Village record company released it. In 1991, they won the North Carolina Folk Heritage Award. This award honored them for keeping black folk music traditions alive.
Odell died in a car accident in 1994. Joe thought about quitting music. But he decided to record a solo album. It was called Family Traditions. Rounder Records released it in 1999.
In 2001, Joe had a stroke. This made it hard to use his left arm. But he worked hard to get better. After a lot of therapy, he started playing music again.
Joe was sad that fewer people were interested in old-time music. But in 2005, he started teaching a new group. This group was called the Carolina Chocolate Drops. They are a modern African American string band.
In 2007, Joe received a special honor. He won a National Heritage Fellowship. This is the highest award from the United States government for folk and traditional arts. In the same year, he performed at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Later Life and Legacy
Joe Thompson was married two times. He had one son and six step-children. He passed away in a nursing home in Alamance County, North Carolina. He was 93 years old and died from pneumonia.
A folklorist named Wayne Martin said something important about Joe. He said Joe was a big inspiration. Joe helped bring back string band music for many young African American musicians.
Filmography
- The Life and Times of Joe Thompson (2004). This was a 27-minute documentary film. It was about Joe Thompson's life. Iris Thompson Chapman produced and directed it.
