John Thompson
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John Thompson

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Music

The best kept secret in music

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"talent show South whidbey Island 2001"



Nov 21 2001
Talent show wows crowd



Matt Johnson
Performing at Saturday night's School Community Talent Show, the Uno, Dos, Tres dance troupe moves to Latin rhythms for a crowd of hundreds.


By Matt Johnson
It's not often Jim Freeman is unable to get a kid to hop on stage and do just about anything. But at Saturday's edition of the South Whidbey School Community Talent Show, he met his match in Lacy Williams.
Out of more than 200 children and adults who signed up to perform in the two-night event at the South Whidbey High School Auditorium, Williams was perhaps the most reluctant when it came to actually walking out on stage. Scheduled to play Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater on the piano during the first half of Saturday's show, Williams would not come out from behind the curtain, in spite of encouragement from Freeman and applause from the audience.

So it came as a shock when, after the first act of the second half of the show had left the stage, the notes of Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater floated into the auditorium from somewhere back stage. With encouragement from show organizer Jean Shaw, Williams played the song perfectly and completely out of sight.

After the song was over, Williams reached only her hand around the edge of the curtain to accept a participation ribbon from Freeman. The sideshow left the audience in stitches.

You can't script stuff like that, said Shaw.

The show, which celebrated its 16th anniversary at its Friday and Saturday performances, was again a South Whidbey success, due in no small part to the charm its performers brought to the stage. Many of those who stepped out under the bright lights to sing, tell jokes, tap dance or play piano had never been in front of an audience. But clearly there were some naturals.

John Thompson, a grade-school country-western singer, walked out on stage with his boots, cowboy hat, and guitar to perform the "The Snake Song," a tune about a snake that fell in love. His perfect playing and lyricism earned him a long ovation and laughs of wonderment.

Also featured during the evening was a piano performance of Mr. Machine and the Cheese Scraper, a standup comedian, and a recital of the Russian alphabet. Whidbey Island Batucada, a drum and marimba group, closed the show.

The talent show played to nearly full houses both nights of its run at the bargain price of $2 or $3 per ticket.

Shaw said the show will return next year for a 17th edition.

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© Copyright 2005 South Whidbey Record
- South Whidbey Record


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Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

John has loved music since before he could walk. While riding in his car seat on “family Drives” he would start humming along to the country tunes coming from the radio, when the radio was turned off John would continue to hum in perfect harmony.

When he was only four, he was singing a country tune while in shopping mall and a music teacher from the local University was so amazed she turned to his mother and told her “ you must do something with that talent“. John tried out for a school talent show at
age 5. He strummed a toy guitar while singing along to a Tracy Lawrence CD, ( Lessons Learned.) Half way through the song a person in the front row yelled give this kid a mic, he is really singing! On that advice his family did.

The next time the talent show came along John played his real guitar and sang without a CD, he brought the house down! John was such a hit that a local Entertainment Company, Freeman Entertainment ask if he would like to play at the County Fair, they gave him 15 minute to do his stuff. Again he was a hit. He began to get more requests for other venues.

The big deal came when he was hired by the Island County Fair in 2003 to perform for the 15 minutes just prior to the main act, Hal Ketchum. He did so well that they hired him for the next year where he was to warm up the crowd prior to the main event, Juice Newton. This time he had to fill half and hour, he preformed like kid possessed! Juice Newton’s band watched his performance and were amazed . They couldn’t believe this little 10 year old kid could pull it off. John has gained experience by playing at a number of local events and continues to donate his time and talent for charity work.

John has a love of music that shows in all his shows. He listens to country and rock, oldies and hip hop! Its the music that he likes, all kinds! He especially likes it if its got a jamming guitar in it.
John has been exposed to music through out his life from the likes of Hank Williams and Alan Jackson to bands like Rush and the Who and everything in between. He has seemed to settle his likes on Country and Rock with a bluegrass hint to it. But his ears are always open to a good beat.