I first met Sam in 1963 at a little bar named “The Riverside Kozy Kitchen", located between Okeechobee and Sebring Florida. He was there with just his guitar, picking and singing a few songs. After just a few minutes, I knew I was listening to a talented man. I learned that he also played at many of the honky tonks in South Florida. I would go listen to him every chance I got. Okay, so I wasn’t old enough to get into those bars, especially for the purpose of drinking. But remember, we’re talking about south Florida in 1963. There wasn’t many rules then, at least not enforced ones. In 1965, I moved to Fort Myers, and for a brief time, lost contact with Sam. But not for long, because one night in the Big Still lounge, to my surprise, there he was!

Sam was usually billed as a country act, and he could do you a mighty fine country song. Heck, he could even write you a great country song. But he was also a master of sound and a super guitar picker. He often enjoyed proving it with his highly wired rock and roll songs. Many said his music was sometimes too loud and that it overpowered his vocals. There was times I think that was probably true, but the fact is, Sam was a crowd pleaser, and just an all around nice guy . We lost Sam in 2000, and when we did, we lost a true honky tonk hero. I lost contact with Sam several years before he died. My own health kept me out of the honky tonks, and I believe he was working out of the South Florida area. But make no mistake, I am proud to have known this super charged entertainer we called Sam Thompson!

A great big thanks to Shirley Maurer for sending me this great photo of Sam & Friends.
Pictured: Upper left, Sam Thompson. Upper right, Tommy Rogers. Lower left, Lonnie Jolson and lower right, Waddy Thompson

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Just click on title to listen to six songs that Sam wrote, and as you will hear, performed very well

Okeechobee On My Mind

Old Sad Songs

Minstrel Man

Flannel Red

The Man Inside Of Me

No Good Arnold

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June 2010
Gary,
I just wanted to say Thank you. My name is Joe Thompson and Brother name is Robert Thompson. We are Sam Thompsons Grandsons. We have been searching for sam's songs for a long time. We were looking thourgh some old stuff of my parents and found one of the first record albums with his songs on it. Then we found your web site. My brother and I just wanted to say Thank you so much for having this web site to come listen to our grandpa.
Thank you, Joe
Moore Haven, Florida

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Home / Various Artists / Jimmie Osborne / Jimmie Logsdon / Little Enis / Asher & Jimmie Sizemore / Gary Link / Jack Hall / Johnny Noles

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Please note: I in no way profit from the music on these pages. All songs are from my personal collection and are placed here for your private enjoyment and educational purposes only. Enjoy!

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