Earl Thomas

Earl Thomas

Earl Thomas is a blues singer from Pikeville, born in 1960, who is based in California. He records for Memphis Int'l Records and is known as a song stylist rather than someone who limits himself to a single genre label.

Background and style

Thomas is deeply influenced by Delta blues and by classic Stax soul, but he resists being described simply as a soul or blues singer. His repertoire includes material associated with southern soul performers such as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and Howard Tate, as well as songs by rock artists including T. Rex and Bob Seger.

Recording career

His self-released debut album, Blue...Not Blues, appears in 1991. In 1994, Etta James records his song I Sing The Blues after producer Jerry Wexler obtains a copy of the debut disc and encourages the recording.