Richard Thompson’s musical influence cannot be overstated. Having co-founded the groundbreaking group Fairport Convention as a teenager in the ‘60s, he and his bandmates invented the distinctive strain of British Folk Rock. He left the group by the age of 21 which was followed by a decade long musical partnership with his then-wife Linda, to over 30 years as a highly successful solo artist. In 2011, Thompson received an OBE (Order of the British Empire) personally bestowed upon him by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.

The Los Angeles Times called him “the finest rock songwriter after Dylan and the best electric guitarist since Hendrix” and Rolling Stone has named him one of the Top 100 Guitarists of All Time. He has received lifetime achievement awards for songwriting from the BBC Radio 2 Awards, the Americana Music Association, and was awarded the prestigious Ivor Novello Award. His song “1952 Vincent Black Lightning” was named one of TIME Magazine’s “100 Greatest Songs Since 1923.”

A wide range of musicians have recorded Thompson’s songs including Robert Plant, Elvis Costello, R.E.M., Sleater-Kinney, Del McCoury, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Jones, David Byrne, Don Henley, Los Lobos, and many more. His massive body of work includes many Grammy nominated albums as well as numerous soundtracks, including Werner Herzog’s Grizzly Man and 2019’s The Cold Blue. His genre defying mastery of both acoustic and electric guitar along with engaging energy and onstage wit continue to earn him new fans and a place as one of the most distinctive virtuosos and writers in Folk Rock history. On May 31, 2024 Richard Thompson will release the anticipated Ship To Shore, his first studio album in six years.

Thank you to our show sponsors: Community Foundation for South Central NY; WAER FM Radio; Preferred Mutual; Sidney Federal Credit Union; Hamilton Community Chest; Bruce Ward, Architect; and NBT Bank.
 
Special thanks to our hospitality sponsor Poolville Country Store Restaurant Bed & Breakfast NOTE: Make it an evening out and receive 10% off dinner at Poolville Country Store by presenting your EOH show ticket or receive 10% off your show ticket by presenting your Poolville dinner receipt at the Box Office! Call the Poolville Country Store at 315-691-2677 for dinner reservations!
 
ALSO: Show your ticket at Huff Brau llc before or after the show and get $1 off your first drink! EOH Family Members and up, show your membership card and show tickets to get 10% off your meal, on the night of the performance! Call 315-691-3300 for dinner reservations!
 
Earlville Opera House Arts Center is located at 18 East Main Street in the quaint Village of Earlville, NY. At EOH we believe accessibility and inclusion are critical to everything we do. Our historic Opera House has been upgraded to ensure accessibility throughout the building, including a hearing loop system in our 1892 theater provided by Hamilton Hearing LLC.
 
EOH events are made possible with support from the Office of the Governor and NYS Legislature, administered by the New York State Council on the Arts, and through the generosity of EOH members.