Earl Thomas (musician)

Earl Thomas Bridgeman (born August 29, 1960) is an American blues singer from California, United States. He is also a songwriter, with songs covered by artists including Tom Jones, Etta James, Solomon Burke and Screamin' Jay Hawkins. He has twice been nominated for a Grammy Award and has won the San Diego Music Award four times.[1]

Biography and career

Thomas was born in Pikeville, Tennessee, United States and attended Humboldt State University.[2]

He started out playing the Arcata clubs in the early 1980s while still at university.[3] He was at an open mic night at an Arcata club and sang the Jackson Browne number "Something Fine", which marked the start of his performance career.[4]

In the early 1990s, he moved to San Diego, California.[2] His Blue... Not Blues album was released in 1991 and received favorable reviews, referred to by one reviewer as "a pleasant surprise".[5][6] His self-penned song, "I Sing the Blues", was a hit for Etta James.[7]

In 2008 he played at the Russian River Blues Festival in Sonoma County, California.[3]

In August 2016, Thomas appeared at the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival at Colne in Lancashire, England.[8]

Discography

  • 1990: I Sing the Blues (Conton)
  • 1992: Blue...Not Blues (Bizarre-Straight/Rhino) reissue of I Sing the Blues
  • 1994: Extra Soul (Bizarre-Planet/JDC)
  • 1995: Stronger Than the Flame (Conton)
  • 1998: The Elector Studio Sessions
  • 2001: Justin Torpey Band featuring Earl Thomas: Rhapsody (Justin W. Torpey Productions)
  • 2003: Soul'd! (Memphis International)
  • 2005: Intersection (Memphis International)
  • 2006: Plantation Gospel (JP Bomann Productions)
  • 2006: Unplugged at Caffe Calabria (Bridgeman Enterprises)
  • 2007: Earl Thomas & the Kings of Rhythm: Live at Biscuits & Blues (Earl Thomas Music)
  • 2008: Soulshine (Earl Thomas Music)
  • 2010: Introducing the Blues Ambassadors (Earl Thomas Music)
  • 2011: Earl Thomas with Paddy Milner & the Big Sounds: See It My Way (Pepper Cake/ZYX Music)
  • 2016: Crow (Earl Thomas Music)[9]
  • 2022: Cold Ghetto (Earl Thomas Music)
  • 2023: Church Songs (Earl Thomas Music)

References

  1. ^ "Earl Thomas". Vivaglammagazine.com. Archived from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  2. ^ a b Edward M. Komara (2006). Encyclopedia of the Blues. Psychology Press. p. 983. ISBN 978-0-415-92699-7.
  3. ^ a b The Press Democrat 15, June 2008 Blues: The secret of a pink leisure suit
  4. ^ The Sunday Gazette January 4, 2004 H5 Thomas doesn't limit himself to one style, but his heart is in soul by Joel Selvin
  5. ^ "Blue...Not Blues - Earl Thomas - Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  6. ^ The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette January 19, 1992 J5 Music, Recordings Blues -Jim White
  7. ^ "Earl Thomas - Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  8. ^ "The International Stage - The Great British R&B Festival". Bluesfestival.co.uk. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  9. ^ "Earl Thomas - Album Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
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