Northern Kentucky Bluegrass Music Association
1st and 3rd Friday JAMS
at Hebron Lodge
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For a complete list of WEEKLY and MONTHLY jams in your area click on our'Jams & Event Calendar' tab on the left
4th Friday JAM
at
The Boone County Extension Office
Starting in January
Lutes Room
6028 Camp Ernst Road, Burlington, Kentucky
door donation appreciated
Well, it is official! Gene Thompson was inducted into the Northern Kentucky Music Hall of Fame!
His friend, Jim Moore, wrote an introduction for him but with time limitations was unable to introduce his lifelong friend. Here is some of the information Jim wanted to share with you all. We are blessed to have such fine musicians and friends to play with and spend time with.
Gene Thompson was born in Casey County in 1929. He married his lifelong sweetheart after meeting in school. He and Ann were married for 69 years and had one son and two daughters.
He said his first interest in music came while listening to the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday nights. When he was about 10 years old, he traded a 22 rifle for an old banjo with the hope of putting Earl Scruggs out of work. He later switched to mandolin while running the jam on Friday nights at the Masonic Lodge in Hebron. That little jam session eventually turned into Friday Night Pickers - an open jam session that has been under his leadership for over 55 years.
He also promoted the Boone County Bluegrass Festival held at the Boone County Fairgrounds for 13 years. This festival brought in national bands as well as booking regional and local bands. He also worked many other festivals and events for his friends by doing the booking of bands, working the gate, doing ticket sales and being an MC on stage.
Gene has devoted his life to the promotion of Bluegrass music that he loves.
Jim Moore
On a personal note, I was there to witness his induction and his performance with Crossroads which was awesome. However, his biggest smile that day was produced when surrounded by his children, grand-children and great-grand children backstage. I have never seen him happier. What a blessing he has been to us all.
Nancy Heagney
2nd Friday JAMS
The Lodge in Newport
5th and Park, Newport, KY.
$6 door donation, potluck dinner, beverages and MUSIC!
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Welcome to the Official Website of the NORTHERN KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS MUSIC ASSOCIATION The full color version of the Winter 2024 edition of NORTHERN GRASS is now posted.
Congratulations
Gene Thompson!
Gene will be inducted into the Northern Kentucky Music Legends Hall of Fame this summer.
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