“We have to keep the blues alive because it’s the 'root' of the whole tree. If you lose the roots, the rest of the music loses its soul. To me, the blues isn't a museum piece, as it’s a universal language for turning a bad day into something powerful. It’s about that raw, human connection that you just can't get from a computer.”

Bobby Carrillo-Thompson: The Blues Shine

Bobby Carrillo-Thompson is a mesmerizing guitarist and captivating vocalist who has carved out a place as one of the Mid-Atlantic’s most dynamic blues and rock artists. Cutting his teeth in Washington, D.C.’s legendary blues clubs, he absorbed the lessons of mentors like Bobby Parker and Tom Principato, forging a style that blends fiery guitar work with soulful storytelling. Transitioning from an in-demand supporting player to a solo artist, Thompson has released a steady catalog of acclaimed albums since 2011, establishing himself as a creative force with both songwriting depth and stage presence. Most recently, the Bobby Thompson Band released “Shine” (2025), a vibrant collection of nine original tracks recorded with longtime collaborators Bronson Hoover, Ben Tufts, Chris Brown, and Andy Hamburger, with special appearances from artists including Anthony “Swamp Dog” Clark. Released digitally in April 2025 and physically on Root Nine Records in May, the album showcases Thompson’s songwriting at its most energetic and groove-driven, culminating in a nationwide tour that reaffirmed his standing as a leading voice in modern blues.                                        (Photo: Bobby Carrillo-Thompson)

Thompson’s journey began with childhood piano lessons inspired by his sister, before an uncle encouraged him to pick up the electric guitar as a teenager. From those early days, he pursued music wholeheartedly — blending formal study with countless hours onstage to develop a style that is both technically masterful and deeply emotive. His career highlights include a three-month tour with SOJA in 2009, years of leading bands such as Blueheart Revival and Revelator Hill, collaborations with Justin Jones and Laura Tsaggaris, and winning the 2018 Wammie Award for Best Blues Album. As 2026 approaches, Thompson enters a bold new era. Moving forward, he will perform and release solo material under the name Bobby Carrillo-Thompson, honoring his mother’s Peruvian family heritage — a source of identity, strength, and inspiration that has long shaped his artistry beneath the surface.

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has the music influenced your views of the world? What keeps a musician passionate over the years in rock and blues music?

Music has been the primary lens through which I have navigated the world for most of my life; it is a constant presence from the moment I wake until I go to sleep. I view life through a musical perspective, finding that it provides a unique framework for interpreting global, community, and personal events. When faced with the complexities and troubles of the world, music offers a profound method for processing those experiences, allowing for a path toward management, healing, and understanding. What sustains my passion for rock and blues over the decades is this transformative power, the ability to turn lived experience into a universal language that resonates across cultures.

How do you describe your sound, music philosophy and songbook? What's the balance in music between technique and soul?

My sound is rooted in blues-influenced soul and rock, shaped by years of dedicated study into authentic blues guitar phrasing and vocal delivery. Whether performing original compositions or classic rock and roll with the Bobby Thompson Trio, my philosophy centers on the dialogue between discipline and expression. I believe technique is the essential foundation that allows a musician to express themselves with clarity and satisfaction; it is a lifelong pursuit where there is always a higher level of mastery to achieve. However, I have learned that true connection with an audience requires a certain relinquishment of rigid technical standards. To move people, one must be willing to loosen up and prioritize the 'soul' of the performance. My goal is always to bridge that gap: working rigorously on my craft so that the eventual 'fun' and spontaneous connection with the audience is supported by the highest possible level of technical excellence.

“Music has been the primary lens through which I have navigated the world for most of my life; it is a constant presence from the moment I wake until I go to sleep. I view life through a musical perspective, finding that it provides a unique framework for interpreting global, community, and personal events.” (Bobby Carrillo-Thompson / Photo by Woody Johnson)

Why do you think that DC Blues Scene continues to generate such a devoted following?

I think the D.C. blues scene remains so vibrant because it’s built on a foundation of mentorship and real-world apprenticeship. I started in the 1990s at the old D.C. blues clubs, learning directly from masters like Bobby Parker. That kind of lineage creates a sound that isn't just a mimicry of the past; it’s a living, breathing tradition passed down through hands-on experience. D.C. has a unique musical DNA where the blues often intersects with soul, rock, and even the pocket-heavy grooves of Go-Go. Whether I’m playing an electric set with a full band or a stripped-down acoustic show on the Weissenborn, the audience here values authenticity and 'the journey' of a live performance. There is a sophistication in the D.C. listener, and they appreciate the technicality of the guitar, but they stay for the songwriting and the soul. We aren't just a 'museum' for the blues; we are a community that keeps the music evolving, which is why you see such a devoted, multi-generational following at places like the Silver Spring Blues Festival or the local clubs that have been our home for decades.

What moment changed your music life the most? Are there any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?

The moment that truly shifted the trajectory of my life happened in 1995 at Fleetwood’s in Alexandria, Virginia. I had the incredible opportunity to perform a blues set with Mick Fleetwood himself at his club. Stepping onto that stage, singing and playing guitar alongside a legendary figure who helped define the very fabric of rock and blues history, was transformative. It wasn't just the prestige of the moment; it was the energy and the validation. Feeling that pocket, the literal heartbeat of early Fleetwood Mac, behind my guitar playing changed how I approached the instrument and gave me a new level of confidence as a frontman. It made me realize that I didn't just want to play this music; I belonged in it.

That experience, combined with my 'epiphany' at Antone’s in Austin and my years learning under Bobby Parker in D.C., formed the foundation of my career. Another memory I cherish is recording Live at IOTA. There’s a certain magic in capturing a performance in a room where you’ve spilled so much sweat over the years. Whether it’s a high-stakes jam with a Hall of Fame musician or an intimate studio session for my latest album Shine, I always look for that same spark I felt back in '95 with Mick, that raw, honest connection to the groove.

“Musicians are basically there to be the 'truth-tellers.' Our world is so loud and divided right now, but when you’re in a room together and the groove hits, all that noise disappears. My job is to get people to feel something real again. I’m just trying to build a bridge. In a world full of fake stuff, we’re there to keep it analog and honest.” (Bobby Carrillo-Thompson / Photo by Jim Williams)

What do you miss most nowadays from the blues of past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

What I miss most is the physical environment of the apprenticeship. When I was coming up, the blues wasn't something you learned from a tab on a screen; you learned it in smoky rooms, watching the hands of masters. There was a certain grit and 'unrehearsed' danger to those nights. Today, everything is very polished and accessible, which is great for learning, but I miss that raw, high-stakes energy of a live room where you had to earn your spot on the stage every single night. I miss the era where music was a shared local secret before it became a global digital commodity.

My hope for the future is that the 'storyteller' aspect of the blues remains central. Whether I’m playing a loud electric set with the Bobby Thompson Trio or an intimate acoustic song on the Weissenborn, the blues is about human connection. I see a new generation of players who are incredibly technical, and my hope is that they use that skill to say something personal, rather than just recreating old licks.

My fear, however, is that the blues could become 'museum music’, something that is preserved but no longer evolves. We have to keep pushing the boundaries, blending it with soul, folk, and rock as I’ve tried to do on my new album ‘Shine’. If we stop innovating and stop writing new stories, we lose the living part of the tradition. The blues has survived because it adapts to the pain and joy of the current moment, and we have a responsibility to keep that fire burning.”

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

The most vital lesson I’ve learned, and it took time to truly sink in, is that the song is the boss.When I was younger, especially coming out of the Musicians Institute, I was focused on the fire and the technicality of the guitar. But through my years of writing and performing, I realized that the guitar is simply a vehicle for the story. Whether I'm playing a searing electric solo or a subtle slide part on the Weissenborn, if it doesn’t serve the emotional core of the song, it’s just noise.

Another lesson is the power of listening. In the blues, the space between the notes is just as important as the notes themselves. Playing with greats like Mick Fleetwood or Bobby Parker taught me about 'the pocket’, that deep, rhythmic conversation between musicians. You have to be present in the moment. If you’re thinking about your next lick, you aren’t listening to the drummer, and the soul of the music gets lost.

Lastly, I’ve learned the value of authenticity over perfection. The blues is an honest medium. People don't follow me because I play every note perfectly; they follow me because they can feel the grit and the truth in the performance. I’ve learned to embrace the 'rough edges' of a live show or a studio take. On my latest projects, I’ve focused more on capturing a feeling than on sanitizing the sound. You have to be willing to be vulnerable on stage; that is where the real connection with the audience happens.

“I think the D.C. blues scene remains so vibrant because it’s built on a foundation of mentorship and real-world apprenticeship. I started in the 1990s at the old D.C. blues clubs, learning directly from masters like Bobby Parker. That kind of lineage creates a sound that isn't just a mimicry of the past; it’s a living, breathing tradition passed down through hands-on experience.” (Photo: Bobby Carrillo-Thompson)

Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues? What is the role of music/musicians in today’s society?

We have to keep the blues alive because it’s the 'root' of the whole tree. If you lose the roots, the rest of the music loses its soul. To me, the blues isn't a museum piece, as it’s a universal language for turning a bad day into something powerful. It’s about that raw, human connection that you just can't get from a computer.

As for our role? Musicians are basically there to be the 'truth-tellers.' Our world is so loud and divided right now, but when you’re in a room together and the groove hits, all that noise disappears. My job is to get people to feel something real again. I’m just trying to build a bridge. In a world full of fake stuff, we’re there to keep it analog and honest.

What are you doing to keep your music relevant today, to develop it and present it to the new generation?

I think the best way to stay relevant is to never stop being a fan and a student of the music. I’m always listening to new artists and looking for ways to push my sound. My latest album, 'Shine', is a perfect example of that. It’s a full-band, groove-heavy record that moves into a bigger, punchier rock-soul direction than some of my earlier stuff. I don't want to just repeat the same 12-bar patterns forever; I want to create songs that feel current but still have that bluesy heart.

I’m also really focused on the 'folk-blues' side of things, like my all-acoustic record 'Old Home'. By stripping everything back to just me and a guitar, I’m able to connect with a younger crowd that appreciates indie-folk and authentic songwriting.

On the business side, I started my own label, Root Nine Records. We use it as a platform to keep the music moving forward and to connect with fans where they are today, on streaming, social media, and at live festivals. For me, presenting the music to a new generation means showing them that the blues isn't just a history lesson; it’s a living, breathing energy. If you play it with enough 'fire' and honesty, the young kids at the festivals get it immediately. They might not know who Robert Johnson or Bobby Parker was, but they recognize the soul when they hear it.

Bobby Carrillo-Thompson - Home

(Bobby Carrillo-Thompson / Photo by Dave Fimbres)