Richard Thompson with Zara Phillips

Richard Thompson’s musical influence cannot be overstated. Having co-founded the groundbreaking group Fairport Convention as a teenager in the ‘60s, he and his bandmates invented the distinctive strain of British Folk Rock. Thompson, who has spent over 30 years as a highly successful solo artist, received an OBE (Order of the British Empire), has been hailed by the Los Angeles Times as “the finest rock songwriter after Dylan and the best electric guitarist since Hendrix,” and Rolling Stone has named him one of the Top 100 Guitarists of All Time. The artist has received lifetime achievement awards for songwriting from the BBC Radio 2 Awards, the Americana Music Association, and was awarded the prestigious Ivor Novello Award.

A wide range of musicians have recorded Thompson’s songs including Robert Plant, Elvis Costello, R.E.M., Sleater-Kinney, Del McCoury, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Jones, David Byrne, Don Henley, Los Lobos, and many more. His massive body of work includes many GRAMMY® nominated albums as well as numerous soundtracks. His genre defying mastery of both acoustic and electric guitar along with engaging energy and onstage wit continue to earn him new fans and a place as one of the most distinctive virtuosos and writers in Folk Rock history. In May of 2024, Thompson released the anticipated Ship To Shore, his first studio album in six years.

Zara Phillips is a singer/songwriter, actor, author, and activist. As an adoptee herself, much of her work is centered around the adoption world and is focused on improving understanding the lifelong impact of adoption. She is a mother of three and tours with her husband, musician Richard Thompson. She divides her time between London and New Jersey.