Billy Thompson

This World

MoMojo Records

Billy Thompson has performed throughout the United States, Europe, and Canada. His songwriting, singing, and guitar playing blend blues, rock, funk, second-line rhythms, and soul into a sound that is both deeply rooted and unmistakably his own. Thompson has toured with zydeco great C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band and has backed legends including Little Milton, Albert King, Earl King, and Art Neville. He has also opened for Robert Cray, Sonny Landreth, The Neville Brothers, Joe Cocker, George Thorogood, and Jimmie Vaughan.

His career includes appearances on The View with Barbara Walters, performances with the San Diego Symphony, and playing the grand opening of the House of Blues in Los Angeles. Thompson has guested with musical icons such as The Doobie Brothers, Bill Payne of Little Feat, and the Honey Island Swamp Band. He provided lead guitar for Keith Glover’s award-winning blues musical Thunder Knocking on the Door and served as musical supervisor and guitarist for Geva Theatre’s 2019 production Revival: The Resurrection of Son House.

Thompson’s eighth release, BT, features longtime musical heavyweights including Mike Finnigan, James “Hutch” Hutchinson, and Grammy winner Tony Braunagel. His 2012 album A Better Man included those artists along with Grammy-winning guitarist Johnny Lee Schell, Little Feat bassist Kenny Gradney, Joe Sublett, and Darrell Leonard, earning a nomination for Blues Blast Magazine’s 2012 Contemporary Blues Album of the Year. In 2023, Thompson appeared at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the Great American Music Festival, and the Mendocino Music Festival.

This World includes ten original songs written by Thompson, one co-write, and four additional songs featuring guest lyricist Kirsten Trump. The album opens with the title track, “This World,” written in honor of Thompson’s brother Bruce Donnelly. Joined by bassist Golder O’Neill, drummer Eric Selby, and keyboardist Michael Leroy Peed, Thompson sings, “Look at the headlines, when I work so hard… seems like the good times never last that long… sometimes I wonder, don’t you, what have we done to this world.”

“Downsizing 2025” features Bob Campbell on horns, David Myles Curtis on bass, and Andy Kravitz on drums as Thompson reflects, “We are neighbors but they call it downsizing… we got no money, we are out on a limb, this is gonna hurt for a little while.”

“Like Rain,” co-written with Keith Glover, includes Kirk Joseph on sousaphone, Eddie Christmas on drums, and the late Lionel Batiste Jr. on percussion. Thompson chants, “Looks like rain comin’ down… I can’t find a doctor to mend a broken heart.”

“For True” returns to the lineup from the title track, with Thompson singing, “I know I’ll never find another love like you, for true.” On “Melia,” Michael Skinkus adds congas while O’Neill joins Thompson on vocals and Doug Belote plays drums, as Thompson belts, “Melia, let your love be true, there is no one like you.”

“Every Single Rider” features O’Neill on bass, Selby on drums, Curtis on keyboards, Luciano Leaes on organ and Wurlitzer, and Thompson on guitar and vocals. He howls, “There goes the fast class, a train comin’ in… every single rider I know.”

“Thankful” brings together Peed on keyboards and shaker, Eddie Christmas on drums, Selby on bass, and John Bonham on trash can percussion. Thompson wails, “Thankful for being happy… thankful for your love.”

On “Batman & Robin,” Thompson plays bass, acoustic guitar, and all vocals, with Andy Kravitz on drums, singing, “You’ll be Batman, I’ll be Robin… we can change the world.”

“Hope Peace & Joy” features lyrics by Kirsten Trump and music by Thompson, with Peed on keyboards, David Martin Barard on bass, Andy Kravitz on tambourine, Tom Worrell providing artistic guidance, and six backing vocalists. Thompson carries the lead with a hopeful message of unity and light.

“Old Blue,” with lyrics by Trump, includes the late Mike Finnigan on organ, Hutch Hutchinson on bass, and Grammy winner Tony Braunagel on drums, as Thompson delivers a bittersweet tale of love and loyalty.

“Dinosaur Eggs” features Skinkus on congas, O’Neill on bass, and Belote on drums, with Thompson playing guitar and harmonica while reflecting on change and survival. The funky “Money Back Guarantee” finds Thompson backed by Peed on clavinet, Kevin Hennessy on bass, and Selby on drums, declaring, “I’ve got a money-back guarantee if I got things the way they used to be.”

“Truth Come to Power,” co-written by Thompson and Trump, features Barard on bass and Christmas on drums as Thompson shouts a call for justice and peace. The album closes with “Of the Angels,” featuring Skinkus on congas, Leaes on Hammond B-3, Worrell on ambient keys, O’Neill on bass, Belote on drums, and five backing singers as Thompson delivers a reflective, soulful finale.

Accolades for Billy Thompson include praise such as “impassioned singing,” “an exceptional guitarist,” and “musical articulators like Billy Thompson are so rare that their talents deserve our full attention.” Come along for the ride—Billy Thompson is truly out of This World.

Richard Ludmerer

Buy Us a Cup of Coffee!

Join the movement in supporting Making a Scene, the premier independent resource for both emerging musicians and the dedicated fans who champion them.

We showcase this vibrant community that celebrates the raw talent and creative spirit driving the music industry forward. From insightful articles and in-depth interviews to exclusive content and insider tips, Making a Scene empowers artists to thrive and fans to discover their next favorite sound.

Together, let’s amplify the voices of independent musicians and forge unforgettable connections through the power of music

You can donate directly through Paypal!

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Order the New Book From Making a Scene

Breaking Chains – Navigating the Decentralized Music Industry

Breaking Chains is a groundbreaking guide for independent musicians ready to take control of their careers in the rapidly evolving world of decentralized music. From blockchain-powered royalties to NFTs, DAOs, and smart contracts, this book breaks down complex Web3 concepts into practical strategies that help artists earn more, connect directly with fans, and retain creative freedom. With real-world examples, platform recommendations, and step-by-step guidance, it empowers musicians to bypass traditional gatekeepers and build sustainable careers on their own terms.

More than just a tech manual, Breaking Chains explores the bigger picture—how decentralization can rebuild the music industry’s middle class, strengthen local economies, and transform fans into stakeholders in an artist’s journey. Whether you’re an emerging musician, a veteran indie artist, or a curious fan of the next music revolution, this book is your roadmap to the future of fair, transparent, and community-driven music.

Get your Limited Edition Signed and Numbered (Only 50 copies Available)  Free Shipping Included