We had the good fortune of connecting with Brad Thompson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brad, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
I really try my best to understand the person or organization that is wanting to hire our band. Once I understand their tastes, passion for the event, and the overall vibe they’re going for, it usually helps me get on board and then we can really embrace the event as a band.

For example, one year we played a fundraiser for The Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth. They operate a large home near the children’s hospital in FW that can house 57 families with children currently undergoing treatment. The band and I wanted to honor the work they do and also have a little fun, so we took the stage wearing the giant red clown shoes that their namesake wears.

It endeared us to the 800+ guests that were in attendance and created a great moment for the whole organization!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As leader of the Brad Thompson Band I’m constantly reassessing our direction and purpose as a group. Since the Pandemic our work has been concentrated on elevating the groups, organizations and people’s lives that we play for. The examples are many and the variety of events we play for now has become so amazing. From the weddings and corporate events that we’ve been doing for years, to the more niche and slightly unexpected events like University and College functions, summer camps, birthdays, and wedding anniversaries. Then there is the whole world of non-profits and charity organizations. Each one having amazing stories of resilience and celebrations of life, as well as caring for the marginalized and overlooked in our world. That’s where our hearts are at these days.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A week might not be enough, Fort Worth has a lot to offer!

We’d start in the Museum District and visit our five world-class museums. The Modern, The Renzo Piano, The Kimball, Amon Carter and the National Cowgirl Museum.

For food, we have just about everything. We’d eat at Los Asaderos (Tex Mex on the Northside), Wabi House (Ramen in the Near Southside), Sushi Tao (Sushi on the Southwest side), Flying Carpet for authentic Turkish food, Terra Mediterranean for the best Mediterranean food, and Drew’s Place in Como for some real Soul Food!

I left BBQ for last because that’s the biggie for a lot of people. My pick would be Cooper’s in the Stockyards. By the way, we’ve got to spend some time in the Stockyards. The Human Maze, Chief Records, the Tarantula Steam Train, and the Fort Worth Herd – the twice daily cattle drive are all must sees!

We’d have to go to Hao’s Grocery for a cooking class. Hao Tran is the real deal around here.

We’d take a hike around the Fort Worth Nature Center for bird-watching, bison and prairie dogs. Spend a day at the FW Zoo, and then catch a move at the Coyote Drive-In.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Of the many, many people that inspire me, one that stands out is my original bass player, Aden Bubeck. He has managed to balance life and work in a very intentional way, and I have so much respect for that. He is a “first call”, high demand session and live player so his phone is constantly ringing. And it’s no accident, he brings an unparalleled wealth of experience to every project he’s involved in. Yet he still makes time for his mental health, family, and interests outside of music.

Website: http://bradthompson.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradthompsonband

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/bradthompsonmusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BradThompsonMusic/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BradThompsonMusic

Other:
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6b0LsulBq3p1g7ThOevRpZ?si=75YZhK50SS-qp4_H8lQAcQ

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.