music
and
traveled with
the WSM
Radio Road Show of the “Grand Ole Opry”. It was there that he befriended, and played with great artists such as: Roy Acuff, “Little” Jimmy Dickens, “Lonzo, and Oscar”, Stringbean, Granpa Jones, Ferlin Husky, and Ernest Tubb. He was a friend of the famous yodeler, Kenny Roberts just to name
a few. Red is the great-nephew of Uncle Jimmy Thompson one of the first entertainers of the “Grand Ole Opry”. Uncle Jimmy was a fiddler who could, as he said: “fiddle taters’ off the vine."
Red
was a musician in: "The Prairie
Pioneers" band, which
performed on Radio Station 1180AM WLDS -
Jacksonville Illinois. The
band traveled throughout
the State
playing at County Fairs, and Dances, etc. During the era of the 1940’s
through
the 1950's, Red got his own radio show on WLDS: "The Red Thompson
Show."
An
article about the Prairie Pioneers in
the Radio Station’s
anniversary papers reflected that: "Gerry Cassens, WLDS’ former Chief
Engineer and Manager, said that: “The Prairie Pioneers were one of the
more
popular groups “on the air””.'' They (The Prairie Pioneers) exclusively
played,
Old Fashioned Hillbilly Music.
To learn
more about this group at http://www.HillBilly-music.com Click
here
After leaving WLDS, Red
was a DJ on Radio
Station 1550AM WJIL –
Jacksonville, Illinois. Ed wanted
to promote Country Music the way that he felt it should be, but
that got
him in trouble as the music industry had changed, and the industry
decided that
the Newer Country Music was what listeners wanted to hear.
When
he moved from
Jacksonville
Illinois, north to Monmouth, Illinois, Red began to do what his heart
wanted. He wrote and composed Country Gospel Music. He also wrote
General
Entertainment, Christmas, Dedication and Family type songs. In
addition, he
taught voice, guitar and mandolin lessons. He lived happily during this
period,
pursuing his music compositions (more than 100 songs), and teaching
music.
Red Thompson contracted cancer, and passed away on March 20, 2000.
Red
had four favorite
quotations:
“Keep it Country”, “Keep a
Song in your Heart”, “We all have valleys to go through” and
“Whatever
happens today, me and the Lord can handle it”.
He leaves
a great
legacy of music that still touches the hearts of America. Red
Thompson is a true pioneer of the Country Music Genre. He is a genuine
Folk Hero.
His music and his legacy still
lives, and it is still real.
You will soon be able to hear what was not heard before...
He also
leaves a
beautiful, and loyal Daughter, Debbi
Thompson, who
continues to publish and promote his music.
