Joe Thompson passes away

Music Maker was sad to learn yesterday of the passing of Joe Thompson of Mebane, N.C. In recent years the revered African-American fiddler mentored the Grammy-winning Carolina Chocolate Drops, who in their early days as a group spent time playing with him at his home and various festivals.

Said Dom Flemons, “Joe Thompson changed my life. When I first met him in 2005, I had no idea that I would be so heavily involved in making music with him and then making a group that has helped get his name out there further than he might have by himself. One thing for sure is that from my end it has been a constantly humbling journey to be able to have said I worked with him and that my music has forever been affected by his guidance and willingness to share his music with me. He opened up the idea of the “American Songster” to me at a time when I was only searching for the way to express it in the dark. And he only did this by playing and singing a song. I am eternally grateful to you, Joe Thompson. May the man have a solid place for you up yonder because you’ve more than earned it.”

For his contributions to music Thompson was awarded a North Carolina Heritage Award in 1991 and an NEA National Heritage Fellowship in 2007. He will be missed by all of us, but we know that his music will live on in the artists he played with and mentored. Read the article by David Menconi about Joe Thompson here.

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