Morgantown is changing, like the seasons. The fragrant flowers of spring are blooming, along with fresh talent and a new music venue to feature them.
Tommy Thompson III is one of those fresh new talents.
The son of local restaurateurs Tasia and Tommy Thompson Jr., the younger Tommy has asserted himself as an engaging and creative singer-songwriter. A Morgantown High School student during the pandemic, Tommy used his time in isolation to write more than 150 songs and to craft a live show that has since seen him opening for national touring acts here and abroad.
For Thompson, 19, Bob Dylan comparisons are common.
On Saturday, he will play his first hometown headlining show at Morgantown’s newest music venue, The Encore, brainchild of longtime local entrepreneur, Jay Redmond. Jay’s newest endeavor is not a typical music venue.
It is a listening room, not a bar. It was created to be a place where music fans can enjoy troubadours, storytellers and gentle acoustic offerings, as well as Appalachian and Americana musical stylings without the rowdy setting of a noisy tavern.
Performances at the Encore will start at 7:30 p.m. and end before 11 p.m. — perfect for the music fan who may be past their rowdy college years, but still not allergic to having a good time on a night out.
Tickets for this event may be purchased from 3:30-8 p.m. Monday through Friday at Madeleine Marie’s Catering, 260 Green St. in Morgantown’s Greenmont neighborhood, or at the venue’s website, theencorewv.com
