Verlon Thompson: an autobiography in song

(Clinton KY ) - Singer songwriter Verlon Thompson strummed, crooned and talked through the story of his life before an audience of forty music lovers at a concert sponsored by the Hickman County Arts Council on September 8th. Thompson brought his combination of folk, country and down home humor following a tour that took him to Paris France and London England.

In an early song, he gave advice on surviving in "This show we call a business and this business we call show". Thompson chose independence over stardom, doing so with no obvious regret.

Thompson went unplugged early in the concert, coming down from the stage to get close to the audience. He lsang about a dog to a small child and led a singalong to close his show.

Thompson told the story of his parents' courtship and his own in separate songs. He took a turn to the dark side of country music in the ballad of the murder of Stringbean and Estelle. Stringbean was an early performer at the Grand Old Opry who was killed in a home invasion by two cousins who thought theft would be easy. Thompson's song "The Guitar" evoked good ghost stories chills at its conclusion.

Thompson seemed to relish sharing his music with a small audience in Clinton, Kentucky. A songwriter whose work has been recognized by artists as diverse as The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Garth Brooks, Thompson conducted a workshop for a small group of budding songwriters. Among other tips: clear vocals are necessary to getting the message across.

His message came through loud and clear to the audience: he loves what he does.