This year, the Sultana Downrigger Festival, held annually in Chestertown, Maryland, featured an exciting blend of Bluegrass music, tall ships, fireworks, and incredibly delicious seafood. On Friday evening, after a late start from work, I found myself by the Chester River in Chestertown, Maryland. I arrived in time to catch […]
Tag: frank thompson
Sounds of Summer: Recounting the Hot August Music Festival
What else can you do on an absolutely gorgeous Saturday in Hunt Valley, Maryland? Well, you can head over to Oregon Ridge Park for a live music experience at the annual Hot August Music Festival. A big shout-out goes to the organizers, Ryan and Robbie, for taking the reins of […]
East Nash Grass at The Manor Mill
On Thursday, I had the opportunity to step out and make my way to The Manor Mill in Monkton, Md. This historic mill was buzzing with excitement as it played host to a sold-out show featuring the highly acclaimed bluegrass band, East Nash Grass. Their melodies had been gracing the […]
The Delfest Anticipation is Over
That’s right, this past weekend many of us took the yearly journey to Cumberland, MD for the Delfest Bluegrass Festival. This years Fest boasted excellent weather great music and lots of positive interactions. The best part is to catch up and renew friendships and to make new friends that turn out to […]
Charm City Bluegrass Festival 2023
Just like that festival season begins. With the new season comes the 10th Charm City Bluegrass Festival. This year in a new location. Although it has been held at Union Craft Brewery before, it was not held in Union Crafts newest location. Friday The bands performed both inside the brewery […]
The High and Wides at Manor Mill on 4-21-23
Sometimes music can pull you out of the day to day perils of a stressful busy life. This is exactly what happened to me on Friday evening at The Manor Mill in Monkton, Maryland. After I was worn out from a stress filled day of work, I was treated to […]
Steve Forbert at the Manor Mill
During my youth, cruising the back roads and listening to music was a thing that we all did for entertainment. There was no Google or Spotify or even for that matter personal computers, yes I’m old! So when a song came on the radio you had to wait until the […]
Whiskey Feathers at Manor Mill
This past Saturday night, I found myself in Monkton, Maryland at the historic Manor Mill. I was not there to view the beautiful art produced by local artisans or to participate in the many classes they offer, but to see a band called Whiskey Feathers in the Mills music space […]
White Rose Music Fest – York, PA
The White Rose Music Fest was announced towards the end of summer and as soon as we saw the line-up, we grabbed tickets and blocked off the weekend to enjoy this outdoor music festival in York, PA. For those who don’t know, York has some decent spots for music, and […]
Steep Canyon Rangers at The Appell Center
Earlier this spring Woody Platt had announced that after 23 years he was going cut back on touring and stay closer to home. In planning for Woody’s departure, the Steep Canyon Rangers would have to change things up in order to prepare for the future. Little did they know tonight, […]
Don’t Miss Steep Canyon Rangers this Thursday in York PA
This Thursday, July 14th the Appell Center for the Performing Arts will be the spot to be if you are a music lover. North Carolina’s Steep Canyon Rangers are stopping in York, PA as part of their current tour. Their style of Bluegrass with great musicians and awesome harmonies will […]
Lake Street Dive at the Appell Center, York PA
It’s a Wednesday evening in the city of York, Pa. On the corner of George and Philadelphia Streets there were a couple of tour busses parked on the curb. That could only mean one thing, there’s a band at the Appell Center for the Performing Arts and what a band […]
Long Awaited Return of Delfest!
Thursday morning, with much anticipation, I found myself on a westbound journey to my home that would last for the next couple of days. That’s correct, after a couple of years off due to the Pandemic Delfest was back on my plate! Upon arrival on the grounds, I visited with […]
Fireside Live with Tedeschi Trucks Band
On Monday evening I ventured into downtown York, PA to see the Tedeschi Trucks Band. This show was dubbed as Fireside Live, meaning that it was a scaled down version of the usual 12 piece Tedeschi Trucks Band. To start the evening though, Raye Zaragoza opened the show. This […]
Dead Horse Revival at Wehrly’s Auction House
Last Sunday afternoon, I had pleasure of seeing and listening to Dead Horse Revival at Wehrlys Auction House. Three of the members, Scott Matlock(fiddle), Cory Woodcock(banjo) and Chance Hurley(guitar) left over from The Mountain Ride days, have stayed together playing bluegrass for years now. The welcome addition of standup bass […]
Sultana Downrigger Festival in Chestertown, MD
On the Chester river lies the town of Chestertown, MD. On this weekend the town was filled with folks that enjoy tall ships, music and good food. Demonstrations, book talks, antique boats and motors. Along with lots of maritime lure and watermen related items. Ships on hand we’re the KALMAR […]
Hillbenders Perform a Bluegrass Rendition of The Who
This past Saturday evening, I had the pleasure of going to the Appell Center of Performing Arts in York, PA to see The Hillbenders perform their bluegrass rendition of the music of The Who. The beautiful, Strand-Capital Theater now branded The Appell Center, made a perfect setting to witness this […]
The Hillbenders will Bring their Bluegrass to Downtown York this Saturday
On Saturday evening The Hillbenders will bring their bluegrass version of The Who to The Appell Center for the Performing Arts in York PA. Starting at 7:00 PM the stage will heat up with the Hillbenders performing some of the iconic songs of The Who. Formed in 2008 in Springfield,Mo […]
Charm City Bluegrass Fall Throw Down 2
I arrived at Key Brewing in Dundalk, MD on Friday, October 15th, a bit early for the Charm City Bluegrass Fall Throw Down 2. I was nervously excited for the event after about a 2-year hiatus from live music festivals. I’ve been out to a handful of local bands mostly […]
The Next Step: Small Outdoor Shows Start to Emerge
For the first time in many months, I went to hear and photograph a show Sunday evening. Hot Rod Mule brought Bluegrass to Wehrleys Auction House in Glen Rock, PA. The show was out-doors and I was happy to see social distancing practices were in place. The band, which is […]
Save our Stages
For over ten years, I have been photographing concerts on a weekly basis. My favorite place to be is in a music venue, along side of fellow music lovers, live music photographers, and musicians. Going to shows has been my life-line for when things get stressful, overwhelming, discouraging, or just […]
My World in Black and White
As the world deals with the ”Pandemic” that has changed our lives as we know it, folks are struggling medically, mentally, financially and just plain bored from social distancing and the stay at home orders. Stay strong and stay vigilant so we can get through this together and get back […]
Music is Still With Us
As we are all dealing with the stress and anxiety of the current events in our world, I felt the need to say a few things. Maybe this is a way to deal with my own stress and anxiety. With many bands suspending their tours and venues postponing shows, it […]
Hot Rod Mule Treats Central PA to Toe Tappin’ Bluegrass
Hot Rod Mule brought their brand of bluegrass to Wrightsville, PA at The Burning Bridge Tavern Saturday night. The tavern is aptly named after the bridge that once spanned the Susquehanna River until 1863 when the Union militia burnt it down to thwart the advancement of the confederate troops trying […]
Frank Thompson’s Top Shows of 2019
This was my first year photographing and reviewing shows for “These Subtle Sounds”. In this year, I’ve learned a lot, and I am grateful to “These Subtle Sounds” and for the artists I was fortunate to photograph. Delfest I started out the year with Delfest. Delfest is always a great […]
Del McCoury Gives Baltimore a Bluegrass Night in December
“There was Nashville, and then there was Baltimore”, Del McCoury said in Tim Newbys book Bluegrass in Baltimore. On this night, it was Baltimore, or rather Owings Mills. Del McCoury was explaining the prominence of the local bluegrass scene here in the early days of Del’s musical career. On Saturday […]
Photo Recap: Joyero and Fruit Bats at Union Craft Brewery
Joyero opened for The Fruit Bats Saturday, November 23rd at The Union Craft Brewing Company in Baltimore. Andy Stack, formerly of Baltimore and part of the duo, Wye Oak, brought his one man show to the Union Craft Brewery. Armed with his guitar and sax, Andy assaulted the evening with […]
Elizabeth Cook and Will Hoge Perform at The Soundry
Sunday evening, I had the pleasure of attended the Will Hoge and Elizabeth Cook show at The Soundry in Columbia. Both singer-songwriters performed solo acoustic sets. They are listed as “Americana” in genre, but Elizabeth is probably a little more country. The Soundry is a really nice venue which I […]
Meet Frank Thompson
One day I came across a pawnshop, that is where I found a Sony Digital camera I thought taking pictures would be fun again. I had a film camera back in the 80s that I used sparingly due to film and development costs, but I figured in the digital age […]
Celebrating Jerry Garcia with Greensky Bluegrass and Cris Jacobs
What better way to spend the first night in August AND Jerry Garcia’s birthday, than with Baltimore’s own Cris Jacobs and Greensky Bluegrass at MECU Pavilion? I have had the pleasure of watching Cris Jacobs and his band perform for several years here in Baltimore, including here at MECU Pavilion […]
Third Eye Blind Brings us Together and Keeps us in the Moment
It was very hot this past Friday night at Merriweather Post Pavilion. However, despite the heat advisories and poor air quality warnings – the crowd gathered to share the night with a band that has been devoted to their fans for 20 years. Third Eye Blind isn’t afraid of the […]
Glen Rock Arts & Brew Fest – a Local Tradition Featuring Local Artists
Tucked away in a small town just north of the Mason-Dixon Line; the annual Glen Rock Arts & Brew Fest attracts locals and visitors to it’s festivities. Each year, the festival features local musicians, artists, and brewers in a unique venue that is creative in and of itself. Glen Rock, […]
Photo Recap: Reliving Delfest 2019 Part 1
A week ago, we had the pleasure of covering Delfest 2019! Frank Thompson was one of our photographers who attended the festival and captured some amazing images of bands and attendees! Frank has attended 10 Delfest weekends and we were honored to have him photograph this one for us! Matt […]
Talking to Del: Grammys, Dodging Knives and Building a Festival
Del McCoury has had a big year already. In February, he celebrated his birthday with the Grand Del Opry, which he characterized as “a great honor”, and his sons’ band The Travelin’ McCourys won a Grammy for their first album. “You know, last year we had a release party there […]