Josh Thompson An Icon In The Making

By Raymond Loesch • October 16, 2009

Let me start out by saying that I normally don’t see a music act twice in the same year. It’s just something I don’t normally do. I made it out to the Josh Thompson show at the Charlie Horse in West Bridgewater, MA for three reasons. First, it’s only 20 minutes from my house . Second, it gave my wife and I an excuse to get out without the kids. Lastly, I had such a good time at his show at the Showcase Live in Foxboro, MA, I thought it was worth checking out again. Man, am I ever glad I did! Josh Thompson was not only smoking, he was on fire. The reaction from the crowd only fanned the flames! He has one song released on the radio “Beer on The Table“, but you would think that this kid has been around for years.

The cover charge to get in to see him perform was only $5! I couldn’t believe it! Paying only $5 bucks to see Josh Thompson perform is kind of like buying Microsoft back in the early 80’s – what a freakin’ deal! He sang the usual songs off of his upcoming CD release, rumored to be sometime in January. Songs like “Gotta Name This Town“, “Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink“, “I’ll Always Be Me“, together with the title track from his new CD, “Way Out Here“. These songs are all good. Josh is fine-tuning his performance on stage, but what really opened my eyes, or should I say, ears that night, was a couple of songs he performed that I have not heard him sing yet. The first one was a song titled “Sweet Distraction” which was a collaboration with Josh Thompson and Andi Zack. Before performing, it Josh announced this one was not to be on his first album. I want to know who makes these decisions. This song should not only be on this album, it should be the next single released. The song is a destined country hit. Josh’s voice and energetic style make this one a real crowd pleaser. It has all the ingredients to make it to the top of the charts. The truth is, I want to hear it again and I cannot find it anywhere! I thought there might a video of him performing it up on “YouTube” by some fan, but alas there is nothing to be found. Josh if you read this, please post the song on your MySpace or your website!

It is very clear that Josh’s influences in country music come from the traditional end of the country spectrum. Performers like Merle Haggard, David Allen Coe, Johnny Cash, Charlie Daniels Band and Waylon Jennings are deeply rooted in this man’s music, which includes his stage banter with the audience. He performed Charlie Daniels “Long Haired Country Boy” and made it his own. This one was one of my most favorite songs he sang during the night. His version of David Allen Coe’s “The Ride” was spot on fantastic! Josh finished up the show with “Blame it on Waylon”, “I’m a Sinner”, which he sang at the Grand Ole Opry a couple of weeks ago, and his newest single: “Beer on the Table”.

Josh put on one hell of an energetic and crowd inducing show. There is something to be said for earning your chops playing at local town bars and small venues of which Josh has been very busy doing lately. He is a star coming into his own. A definite legend in the making. Merle, Waylon, Charlie and David: rest easy gentleman. You have someone to pick up the baton and run with it. Josh Thompson is here to stay. He will be to country music what Bruce Springsteen is to rock and roll!

“Can You Duet” winners, Steel Magnolia, which is comprised of Meghan Linsey and Joshua Scott Jones, opened for Josh. They performed songs from their album, which is set to be released sometime in February. They did a 7 or 8 song set which included “Ooh La La”, “Impatient”, “Eggs over Easy”, “Without You”. They closed their act with their fast-rising single, “Keep on Loving You”. They were a lot of fun to watch perform. At this venue, it was a nice intimate show with just the two of them on stage with his guitar. Joshua is quite good on the guitar and their blended vocals are really quite good together. I am looking forward to hearing more from this duo.

4 Responses to “ Josh Thompson An Icon In The Making ”

Andi Zack Oct 20th, 2009 at 2:32 am

Thanks for liking “Sweet Distraction”!!! Correction though, Ken Johnson isn’t a writer on it, but he says that’s cool if people think he is : )

Rock on Josh!

Andi
Raymond Loesch Oct 20th, 2009 at 11:33 am

Hi Andi, Thanks for stopping by our site. I apologize, I heard Josh perform the song at a show and just fell in love with it. I had to find out more information about it and when I researched the song I found the writers on this site http://www.canadianchristianity.com/bc/bccn/0809/o04oliver.html. I will correct the article, thanks for letting me know. By the way you have an incredible talent as a writer, cannot wait to hear more of your songs. Keepin’ it Country……Ray
Andi Zack Oct 20th, 2009 at 3:43 pm

Thanks Ray! And thank you for writing an article on Josh. Isn’t he awesome : )

Yeah, a Christian paper did an article on me in my home town and she got the writers of “Beer On The Table” and “Sweet Distraction” confused. Ken was a writer on “Beer”. Thanks for finding that for me. I haven’t read it yet.

Take care,

Andi
June McHugh Aug 17th, 2010 at 11:10 pm

Please email me a copy of this article. I love it! Josh Thompson ROCKS!

Thank You,
June McHugh

Josh Thompson An Icon In The Making

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