Earl Thomas (musician)

Earl Thomas (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

He was born Earl Thomas Bridgeman in Pikeville, Tennessee, United States. He went to 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 mike night at an Arcata and sang a Jackson Browne number, "Something Fine" which was the start of his performing.[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, and he was 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
  • 1991: Blue...Not Blues (Bizarre-Straight/Rhino)
  • 1994: Extra Soul (Bizarre-Planet/JDC)
  • 2003: Soul'd! (Memphis International)
  • 2005: Intersection (Memphis International)
  • 2005: Unplugged At Caffe Calabria (Bridgeman Enterprises)
  • 2006: Plantation Gospel (JP Bomann Production Company)
  • 2008: Earl Thomas With Paddy Milner & The Big Sounds: See It My Way (Pepper Cake/ZYX Music)
  • 2008: Soulshine (Conton)
  • 2011: Introducing The Blues Ambassadors (Earl Thomas Music)
  • 2012: Earl Thomas & The Kings of Rhythm: Live At Biscuits & Blues (Earl Thomas Music)
  • 2016: Crow (Earl Thomas Music)[9]

References
  1. "Earl Thomas". Vivaglammagazine.com. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  2. Edward M. Komara (2006). Encyclopedia of the Blues. Psychology Press. p. 983. ISBN 978-0-415-92699-7.
  3. 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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