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Overview
Lively music on fiddles, accordion, banjo, celtic flute, piano, guitar, wooden spoons, jaw harp, etc, by an award winning father and son duo. We perform online using either FaceTime or Zoom to bring our music direct to you. Live performances are also possible. Contact us.
Our repertoire includes Irish, Scottish, Bluegrass, Swedish, Gypsy, French Canadian, Appalachian, and other international styles. We play for contra and barn dances along with a caller, do public concerts, and provide background music and ambience for business functions.
We also offer educational workshops and demonstrations. We will travel anywhere and have previously toured to California, China, Canada, and England.
16 Reviews
We had the Fiddling Thompsons for a 51st anniversary party. They came and played on the lawn where all the guests gathered around. The duo entertained everyone with a variety of Irish, Appalachian, Acadian, and Cajun music. At least half a dozen instruments were played, and commentary peppered the wonderful performances. Truly, it was the perfect pairing for this family-and-close-friends celebration.
Accordion Player, Banjo Player, Bluegrass Band, Celtic Music, Fiddler, Multi-Instrumentalist
Photos from this event
The Fiddling Thomsons were so talented and so easy to work with!
Banjo Player, Bluegrass Band, Celtic Music, Fiddler, Flute Player, Multi-Instrumentalist
These guys were Great! highly highly recommend them.
Banjo Player, Bluegrass Band, Celtic Music, Fiddler, Irish / Scottish Entertainment
We had such a fun time. We started with a barn dance and then moved locations where the Thompson provided music while we had a clam bake. The music was great. They knew just what we needed. I’m looking forward to inviting them for another event in the future.
Fiddler, Multi-Instrumentalist, Square Dance Caller
From the moment Ryan and Brennish arrived, I knew we could count on their beautiful music and professionalism. But they were also really warm and friendly.
Fiddler
The Fiddling Thomson played for us at a backyard birthday celebration. They transformed the event from a generic cook out to a memorable celebration. It wasn’t set up so much as a concert; guests were socializing and eating, but all the while there was this wonderful music playing. There were lots of (amateur) musicians at the event and everyone told us how fantastic the music was and how much they enjoyed it. Absolutely 100%recommend!!
Accordion Player, Banjo Player, Celtic Music, Fiddler
Wonderful evening thanks to the Fiddling Thompsons! Lovely people, so talented!
Celtic Music
Great music and a terrific team to work with! Ryan and Brennish were quick to respond to every email I sent. They were easy and fun to work with and most of all, exceptionally talented! Highly recommend!
Irish / Scottish Entertainment
The Fiddling Thompson’s were professional, talented, laid back and easy to work with, and very responsive during communication. They played Irish reels, airs, and jigs as background during my Ireland themed bridal shower and everyone really enjoyed their music. I would definitely recommend and hire again!
Banjo Player, Celtic Music, Fiddler, Flute Player, Irish / Scottish Entertainment
We were so happy to host the fiddling Thomsons for our event. Very talented, accommodating, and would highly recommend!
Accordion Player, Banjo Player, Fiddler, Flute Player, Irish / Scottish Entertainment
The perfect amount of music and narration about the various instruments and genre of music. Will definitely hire again!
Accordion Player, Banjo Player, Celtic Music, Educational Entertainment, Fiddler, Flute Player, Irish / Scottish Entertainment, Multi-Instrumentalist
Very talanted
Accordion Player, Banjo Player, Bluegrass Band, Fiddler
Great, lots of positive comments about their music.
Bluegrass Band
Ryan and Brennish were fantastic and a pleasure to work with. The music was terrific and everyone enjoyed the evening with their music. We will definitely hire them again for an upcoming event. Highly recommend!! Thank you Ryan and Brennish for making our event complete!
Celtic Music, Fiddler, Irish / Scottish Entertainment
on time,on the mark, a perfect band for any occasion, love the music...
Accordion Player, Banjo Player, Fiddler, Flute Player, Irish / Scottish Entertainment, Multi-Instrumentalist
We loved loved loved the Fiddling Thompsons...great musicians, very up beat and really nice guys..Thoroughly enjoyed their music. I would hire them again in a heartbeat....Thank you guys you made the evening....
Booking Info
Price Range: $300 and up
Gig Length: 10 - 240 minutes
Languages: English
Insurance: $1,000,000 - Insurance is available by request. We can contract for a single date policy to cover the time that we are performing for you. In our experience, this type of policy costs between $100 - $200. This cost to us will be factored into the total fee that you pay us for our performance. We have rarely been asked to provide liability insurance for the types of performances that we do. Many performance venues already have ongoing liability insurance policies.
What to Expect
We are energetic, friendly, flexible, and perform on multiple instruments with a high level of skill. We have won many awards for fiddle, banjo, and accordion playing including the New Hampshire 2023 Governor's Award for Folk Heritage from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts. We are comfortable in a wide range of settings ranging from concerts to background music for special public or private events.
In educational settings and informal performances we are happy to interact with audiences and discuss the nature of the music and the instruments that we play.
It is possible for us to add additional band members when necessary to fill out the sound and appearance of our show. We have long term working relationships with other experienced musicians who can provide support for the various styles of music that we perform.
We are happy to dress appropriately for themed events including celtic, cowboy/western, 1776 era, early boston water front, mardigras, etc.
About
Public and private events since 2002 include: Portsmouth First Night, Meet in Beijing Festival in China, Bath Folk Festival in Bath England, Blueberry Fiddle Festival, New Hampshire Children's Museum, General Dynamics, American Airlines, The Trust For Public Land, Meals on Wheels, Invisible Children, New England Music Library Association, North Hampton Recreation Department, Wadleigh Memorial Library Acoustic Coffeehouse, Gilmanton Old Home Day, Deerfield Fair, Trader Joes, Riverwalk Cafe Nashua, Kelley's Row St Patricks Day, Plymouth State University, Hillside School, Nashoba Brooks School, Greenwood Furnace Folk Gathering, Factory Court Music Series, Tuck Museum, Hampton Historical Society, New Hampshire Made, Dystonia Medical Research Foundation, Nottingham Community Center, Smyth Library Music Series, USS Constitution Boston Harbor, Smoky Bear's 75th Birthday Franconia Notch State Park, Folk College, Tradmad Camp, Concord Historical Society, Sunday River, Newfields Contra Dance, New England Folk Festival, Worcester Contra Dance, British Beer Company, Weston Golf Club, Wilton Library concert, Southside Cultural Center, Cat in the Cradle Coffeehouse, Wolfeboro Contra Dance, Quiet Corners Contra Dance, Old Ways Days, Canterbury Shaker Village, Nottingham Square Pancake Breakfast, Bonesfest, Indian Neck Folk Festival, Atkinson Country Club, USS Constitution, more.
Additional Booking Notes
We can supply our own PA system if amplification is necessary. We are also happy to perform with just the natural sound of our acoustic instruments.
When using amplification provided by others, we prefer a single mic on a boom stand to handle vocals, violins, flute, and whistle. We like DI boxes to plug in guitar, accordion, and banjo.
Services Offered
Past Booked Events
| July 08, 2024 • 6:00pm - 7:30pm | Cocktail Party |
| March 16, 2024 • 7:30pm - 9:00pm | Concert |
| February 20, 2024 • 12:00pm - 2:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| October 21, 2023 • 1:30pm - 4:00pm | House Party |
| September 02, 2023 • 3:00pm - 5:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| August 20, 2023 • 2:00pm - 5:00pm | Anniversary Party |
| August 12, 2023 • 4:00pm - 6:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| May 20, 2023 • 2:00pm - 4:00pm | Birthday Party |
| December 17, 2022 • 4:00pm - 7:00pm | Birthday Party |
| September 25, 2022 • 1:00pm - 5:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| August 13, 2022 • 3:00pm - 4:30pm | Birthday Party |
| July 15, 2022 • 6:30pm - 7:00pm | House Party |
| May 14, 2022 • 2:00pm - 5:00pm | Birthday Party |
| January 17, 2022 • 4:30pm - 5:15pm | Birthday Party |
| September 04, 2021 • 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Personal Occasion |
| August 14, 2021 • 5:30pm - 9:00pm | Birthday Party |
| June 27, 2021 • 1:00pm - 4:00pm | Bridal Shower |
| May 30, 2021 • 10:00am - 2:00pm | House Party |
| May 16, 2021 • 1:30pm - 3:00pm | Birthday Party |
| April 24, 2021 • 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| December 21, 2019 • 5:00pm - 7:00pm | Cocktail Party |
| September 01, 2019 • 6:30pm - 8:00pm | Anniversary Party |
| July 03, 2019 • 5:00pm - 6:00pm | House Party |
| August 12, 2018 • 8:30am - 10:30am | Fundraiser |
| March 14, 2018 • 5:30pm - 6:30pm | Cocktail Party |
| October 15, 2016 • 12:00pm - 3:00pm | Fair |
| October 01, 2016 • 4:00pm - 9:00pm | Wedding Reception |
| July 28, 2016 • 5:00pm - 7:30pm | Nonprofit Event |
| June 12, 2016 • 11:30am - 1:30pm | Fundraiser |
| October 05, 2013 • 4:00pm - 7:00pm | Wedding Reception |
Set List
We have a large repertoire of performance pieces which includes several styles of music. We enjoy presenting a wide selection of various ethnic styles of tunes on many different instruments. Much of our music consists of instrumental pieces associated with folk dances from around the world.
However we are experienced in presenting music with a particular themes. For example, we could perform an entire concert set consisting of only Irish and celtic tunes. We are very popular with St Patrick's Day theme events. Alternately we could perform an entire set of cajun and french tunes, suitable for mardigras or cajun themed events. Country and cowboy themes are fun for us and we feature the banjo prominently.
Our repertoire consists of these variations:
polkas, two steps, hambo, walking tunes, jigs, reels, slip jigs, slides, hoedowns, marches, hornpipes, waltzes, songs, and more,
We can perform pieces from these ethnic origins: American, Scottish, Irish, English, Swedish, Mexican, Romanian, Hungarian, French, Canadian, cajun, zydeco, and others.
Team
| Ryan Thomson | band member |
| Brennish Thomson | band member |
| additional members as needed | accompanyment |
Influences & Inspiration
Our family heritage includes musical experience stretching back for several generations in jazz, folk, and classical styles of music.
My son and I have been performing together on stage since he was 5 years old. He is now 26. Our music is shaped by the many different styles of music that we share interest in, including celtic, gypsy jazz, country rock, blues, barn dance, bluegrass, cajun and zydeco, international folk dance, etc.
We both have classical music training as well and our continuing international tours give us learning opportunities to broaden our repertoire.
Setup Requirements
outdoor cover in rain or hot sun conditions
electrical power to performance site if PA system is needed
Testimonials
Dear Ryan and Brennish - Thank you both so much for putting the music in our farm festival! Joyce
– Equest
Ryan and Brennish, Thank you both for once again, entertaining us with your musical talent. We appreciate your coming here and playing for us! Thanks again -Kim
– Meals on Wheels
Dear Ryan and Brennish, - Laudetur Jesus Christus! Thank you so very much for your enthusiastic participation at our festival last month. Your set was most enjoyable and your leading of the contra dance indispensable!...Thank you again and may our lady bless you! Sister Maria Philomena
– Blueberry Fiddle Festival
Hi Ryan, - I would like to thank both you and your son for your performance at the Farmers Market in Lawrence, MA yesterday. It was a lively and fun show. Everyone enjoyed it!! Sandra Frechette - Program Manager
– Livelawrence.org
Dear Ryan - Our thanks to you and your son for coming to our celebration Friday night and adding so much fun and specialness to the event. You are both just wonderful and we really appreciate you taking the time! warm regards, Ann and Laurie
– New Hampshire Made