Richard Thompson Electric Trio Plays the Southern Theatre Tonight

Named by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the "Top 20 Guitarists of All Time," Richard Thompson is also one of the world's most critically acclaimed and prolific songwriters. During his 45-year career, he has received Lifetime Achievement Awards for songwriting on both sides of the Atlantic, including the Americana Music Association, Britain's BBC Awards, and the prestigious Ivor Novello. Thompson also received the OBE (Order of the British Empire) personally bestowed upon him by Queen Elizabeth II, and was recently nominated for Artist of the Year by the Americana Music Honors and Awards. Touring in support of his most recent album, Electric, the Richard Thompson Electric Trio also includes drummer Michael Jerome (Better Than Ezra, John Cale) and bassist Taras Prodaniuk (Lucinda Williams, Elvis Costello).

CAPA presents the Richard Thompson Electric Trio with special guest Field Report at the Southern Theatre (21 E. Main St.) tonight, June 18, at 8 pm. Tickets are $23-$36 at the CAPA Ticket Center (39 E. State St.), all Ticketmaster outlets, and www.ticketmaster.com. To purchase tickets by phone, call (614) 469-0939 or (800) 745-3000.

This performance is made possible through the generous support of 2013-14 CAPA season sponsor American Airlines.

Having co-founded the groundbreaking group Fairport Convention as a teenager in the '60s, Richard Thompson and his mates virtually invented British folk rock. After leaving the band at the age of 21, he had a decade-long musical partnership with his then wife Linda, and went on spend more than 30 years as a highly successful solo artist.

A wide range of musicians have recorded Thompson's music including Robert Plant, Elvis Costello, REM, Del McCoury, Bonnie Raitt, Los Lobos, David Byrne, Don Henley, and many others.

Thompson's massive body of work includes more than 40 albums, multiple Grammy nominations, and numerous soundtracks including Werner Hertzog's Grizzy Man. His most recent album, Electric, was produced by the great Nashville musician Buddy Miller (Band of Joy, Patty Griffin). Electric continues to receive positive praise with Rolling Stone declaring, "...the excellence is undeniable."

This year saw Richard Thompson headlining dates around the world as well as co-headlining shows with Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell. Thompson and his band also joined the Americanarama Tour with Bob Dylan, Wilco, and My Morning Jacket, culminating with Dylan himself covering Thompson's "1952 Vincent Black Lightning."

Thompson's genre-defying mastery of both acoustic and electric guitar along with dizzying energy and on-stage wit continue to earn Richard Thompson new fans and a place as one of the most distinctive virtuosos in folk rock history.

Field Report is the creation of vocalist/guitarist Chris Porterfield (DeYarmond Edison) who spent five years writing his own songs for the first time in his life. The result is a haunting set of songs that are crafty, lyrical, and poignant. Chris is joined by Nick Berg (keyboards, synthesizers), Ben Lester (pedal steel), Jeff Mitchell (guitar), Damien Strigens (drums), and Travis Whitty (bass). After one of the pre-released tracks from the album Taking Alcatraz launched into the top 10 most downloaded blog tracks worldwide, Field Report accepted an opening spot on the national Counting Crows summer tour. This summer, the group will tour relentlessly and allow fans to download the entire album free-of-charge. www.Field-Report.org

Photo credit: Pamela Littky