Jimmy Thompson
Local mainstay in the Portland music scene Jimmy Thompson performed at Mr. B's Lounge (in the TA Travel Center/truck stop in Troutdale) on a recent Friday. This writer is happy to enjoy Thompson's music almost any time.
Thompson is well-known as a good person and a gifted singer. You may recall him from long-term gigs such as the Club Venus, Tony's (the old one that's now torn down) or any of several such locations on N.E. Sandy Blvd.
Jimmy Thompson
(Photo by KT)
This writer remembers Thompson as a solid and helpful bass player, hosting a sometimes difficult jam session and wonderful singing. He is well-noted for his performance of the Billy Joe Royal song, Burn Like A Rocket. This recent visit proves that Thompson still has the voice and the talent.
Thompson notes that he has played with a lot of good musicians and that they are not just good musicians but are also good people. He describes the day when he parked his motor home and got out to use a phone booth. As he was walking back, the motor home slipped into gear and ran over him. While he slowly recovered from his massive injuries, other musicians showed up at venues to fill Thompson's slot and gave him the pay he would have earned had he played the gigs himself.
Thompson asserts that a lot of people came and helped him, out of "the goodness of their hearts." Some were musicians he didn't even know! Thompson also states, "It's not about me...it's the work of the Lord." He still shakes his head in amazement over that piece of his personal history.
Thompson now alternates performing with his solo shows and his band. At Mr. B's Lounge, he performed with his voice and guitar backed by his painstakingly well-programmed digital backup. This writer admires the skill required to operate a user-controlled digital system while playing, singing, working two sets of foot pedals and sounding great. You will hear bass, drumset, acoustic and electric piano, banjo, Hammond B3 organ and more. There is no sacrifice in quality of sound. Good, clean, accurate and powerful sound equipment always supports the performer well.
Thompson's extensive repertoire includes country music, R&B, classic rock from several classic eras and more. In the future, watch for an Indie TV broadcast featuring Thompson.
As an entertainer, Thompson says he will play "a little bit of this, a little bit of that" until he sees audience members indicate special interest for a certain style. He then offers them more of that genre while still mixing things up a bit. It's all about what people want.
Thompson will be supporting a benefit event for members of the Hurd family, who recently lost a sister, Sylvia Grass. It was a sudden and unexpected death and the family needs financial help with burial expenses and more. The event is on April 19 at Gin Sun Restaurant, 2 p.m.-midnight.
Faces and places change but Jimmy Thompson is still working at what he loves, to please people who love his music.
Mr. B's Lounge features a full-service bar with many beers on tap including an intriguing drink called "American Honey."
The atmosphere comes in part from the use of tastefully placed black lights, (which light up all the lint on your sweater). The new dance floor looks good. This writer enjoyed a very good mug of fresh coffee. At Mr. B's, you don't have to be a truck driver to enjoy the place! The lounge also offers an internet jukebox, video lottery, Keno display, various overhead TVs and a big screen to display song lyrics for the Karaoke sessions. Ask about food specials from the restaurant, such as clam chowder on Fridays.
The TA Travel Center and Mr. B's are a short, easy cruise east on I-84, with lots of off-street and well-lit parking. The travel center is accessed from exit 17 off the I-84 freeway. It includes the 24-hour family restaurant, the multiple filling stations for gas and diesel and the travel center for truck drivers and all other travelers.
Watch for Jimmy Thompson at Mr. B's, regular dates at the Pink Feather and Gin Sun restaurants, and an upcoming performance at the Ponderosa Lounge in the Jubitz travel center as well. (See ad and Bandstand this issue and future issues.)