BOBBY THOMPSON

• From Franklin, Tennessee.
• One of country music’s best known studio musicians of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.
• One of the first “chromatic” (or “melodic”) style banjo players. Influenced many others.
• Early 60’s, worked with Jim and Jesse.
• Was a member of the group Area Code 615.
• Played theme music to “Hee Haw,” “Smokey and the Bandit,” “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” “Urban Cowboy,” many others.
• Played on hit songs by such artists as Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, Jim & Jesse, Hank Snow, Tammy Wynette, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Loretta Lynn, Bill Monroe, Dolly Parton, Perry Como, Eddy Arnold, Les Paul, Connie Smith, Merle Haggard, Trini Lopez, the Monkees, Olivia Newton-John, Melanie, Jimmy Buffett, Dr Hook, Leon Russell, Neil Young and many others.
• 1990, retired from music due to multiple sclerosis.
• Died in 2005.