RJ Thompson

RJ Thompson (born 25 June 1985) is a British singer-songwriter. Thompson came to prominence in 2014 after touring as support act for UK pianist Jools Holland, performing at venues including the Royal Albert Hall.

Early life and career beginnings (1985–2010)

RJ Thompson grew up in the North East of England.

He wrote his first song after witnessing a U2 concert at the MEN Arena in Manchester. Following an open mic night at The Studio in Hartlepool in 2004, he was asked to open the show the following night for Live Aid organiser Midge Ure. During this time period RJ was working on his album Illogical Life which was released to the public in 2006, originally under his full name Richard John Thompson. RJ recently explained in a radio interview with Radio Teesdale that he shortened his name to RJ to avoid confusion with the Fairport Convention singer Richard Thompson.

Following the release of Illogical Life and the subsequent Acoustic Sessions EP, RJ spent the following 3 years touring Germany with Midge Ure and the UK with The Proclaimers, Sandi Thom and Gabriella Cilmi among others.

A Better Life, When I Get Old, and The Cognitive Rules EP (2011)

RJ released two singles in 2011 (A Better Life and When I Get Old), and both tracks were released on the EP The Cognitive Rules later that same year. The single A Better Life received airplay on BBC Radio 2, while opening track Fables was featured on BBC Radio 6 Music

The EP was something of a comeback for RJ, having spent the previous 3–4 years touring and not releasing music. The EP was mastered by Geoff Pesche at Abbey Road Studios.

The Numbers and House Upon The Hill (2014)

RJ returned in June 2014 with new single The Numbers. The song had long been performed at RJ's live shows (evidence suggests that its first performance was mid 2012), but it was officially recorded and released as a single in 2014. The song received substantial airplay on BBC Radio 2.

Later in 2014 Thompson revealed on social media that he would release a new EP entitled House Upon The Hill in November. The title track from the EP was featured as one of The Time's tracks of the week on 29 November 2014. It has also received favourable reviews in Acoustic Magazine, Narc Magazine and The Crack Magazine. The EP was mastered by Christian Wright at Abbey Road Studios.

The title track from the EP House Upon The Hill has received airplay on dozens of UK radio stations, and has been playlisted on The Breeze network of stations (covering 15 different regions of the UK). The track has also received some favourable reviews.

No Man's Land, one of the songs on the EP, was featured on the cover CD for UK music magazine Acoustic Magazine in January 2015.

Live Album Release (2016)

RJ announced in June 2016 that his new live album (simply entitled Live would be released on 4 July 2016. The album consists of 10 live tracks.

The Times They Are A-Changin' (2017)

RJ released a cover version of the Bob Dylan classic The Times They Are A-Changin' on 3rd February 2017.

In addition to tours with Midge Ure, Gabriella Cilmi and The Proclaimers, RJ recently shared the stage with UK Number 1 artist Gabrielle Aplin at 3 shows. Thompson joined her onstage to perform duets of John Mayer's "Slow Dancing In A Burning Room" and Noah and the Whale's "LIFEGOESON" (both performances can be found on YouTube). RJ also performed a duet of "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" on stage with Sandi Thom at The Sage Gateshead in 2009.

In 2014, RJ announced his biggest shows to date, touring as the support act to UK pianist Jools Holland throughout the year. Concerts would take place at Perth Concert Hall (Scotland), Middlesbrough Town Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, London, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, O2 Apollo, Manchester, and Motorpoint Arena Cardiff.

2015 saw RJ tour extensively, again with Jools Holland, and also throughout Europe with Joan Armatrading.

• Illogical Life (2006)
• Acoustic Sessions EP (2007)
• The Cognitive Rules EP (2011)
• House Upon The Hill EP (2014)
• Live (2016)

RJ Thompson is endorsed by boutique amplifier company Two Rock Amplification alongside guitar superstars John Mayer, Joe Bonamassa and Matt Schofield. He is also featured on the website of Japanese Effects Pedal company Free The Tone.

Thompson is also on the artist roster of Lowden Guitars.