Bobby Carrillo-Thompson: A Decade of Blues and Songwriting
This music is driven by the belief that a song should feel like a tangible destination. Spanning over a decade of sonic evolution—from foundational roots-rock to the 2025 release, Shine—the catalog balances the gritty, foot-stomping energy of a full band with the quiet, late-night intimacy of solo acoustic performance. These tracks are curated to showcase a vast emotional landscape, ranging from hopeful, sun-drenched anthems to the darker, more reflective corners of American roots music.
The Story Behind the Sound
Every project is built on high-fidelity production and evocative storytelling, including the 2018 Wammie award-winning "Best Blues Album" and various critically acclaimed EPs. For creative professionals, the catalog offers "one-stop" master and publishing clearance, ensuring a seamless integration into visual storytelling. Each arrangement is crafted with an eye toward mood and movement, designed to provide a specific emotional anchor for both the casual listener and the cinematic narrative.
While the 2025 work pushes into fresh sonic territories, the common thread across eight full-length albums remains a commitment to authenticity and "vibe." The discography below represents a decade of blues and songwriting excellence, featuring the latest singles, deluxe acoustic reissues, and fan-favorite live takes. Purchasing directly through this site or Bandcamp provides the most direct support for the music, ensuring the ongoing craft of independent production and the continued release of high-quality recordings.
Shine (released in 2025 on Root Nine Records) represents a definitive evolution in sound, merging modern production values with timeless roots-rock sensibilities. The project began in early 2024 as a commitment to a new path of authenticity, moving away from past constraints to focus on a unified sonic vision. Developed through a year of intense pre-production, the album's foundations were laid in the trio setting before expanding into a rich, five-piece ensemble sound that captures the unique chemistry of the full band. From the punchy energy of "Free From You" to the pure blues of "Don’t Leave Flowers by My Tombstone" and the intricate Weissenborn textures of "Love’s a Revolution," the record reflects a transition from ethereal sketches to high-weight, purposeful arrangements. Recorded and mixed by Sean Russell at 38 North Studios, Shine is the culmination of immense mental and creative energy—a vivid realization of songwriting that prioritizes mood, movement, and the spirit of the road.
[Stream or Purchase Shine on Bandcamp]
ALBUM REVIEWS
“It’s said that no man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man. It’s as though the moments and hours and days are no longer ours once we’ve lived them. Virginia-based musician Bobby Thompson takes hold of the last ten years song by song on his new compilation album, Retrospect. In tune with the harvest season, this exciting record offers up a profound panorama of Thompson’s work, featuring sixteen songs that he’s written or covered over the last decade. Retrospect is Americana in the truest sense of the word. Thompson takes you through striking musical landscapes, from blues to folk, soul, and rock, offering kaleidoscopic glimpses of his musical roots.” … TJ TURNPILED read the entire article
"Bobby Thompson’s talent fills one’s ears and heart with the vigor and camaraderie that only comes in the midst of an appreciative audience. On eight original tracks and one cover (Elmore James’ “Look Over Yonder’s Wall”), this dynamic quartet goes all out to impress. This is reference-quality blues, not just any 'live release'."- BLUES BLAST MAGAZINE (review of ‘Live in Arlington’ album disc ‘Live at IOTA’)
"Revelator Hill's new album, Live By The Creek, offers a personal invitation to experience their magnetic musical alchemy up-close. Recorded at the Lubber Run Amphitheater in Virginia, it captures the elusive lightning in a bottle that makes for the greatest live albums, and you can still feel the flames that ignited the show... Like a hot knife through butter, Revelator Hill cuts through the everyday din with monster grooves. Renowned both for their intricate studio recordings and exhilarating live jams, the band radiates technical virtuosity and a live wire wildness." - GRATEFUL WEB (February 2018)
"Virginia based blues-rock band, Revelator Hill (with Ron Holloway) cracks 2018 with an outstanding compilation of blues-rock tunes with a rock edge. Live by the Creek ... chronicles the band’s inspired performance before an audience of two hundred on a hot summer night in 2017. Live By the Creek features tenor saxophonist, Ron Holloway, who is known for his work with Dizzy Gillespie, and as a working member of The Warren Haynes Band. He is often seen as a guest of bands Tedeschi-Trucks and Melvin Seals. Live By The Creek is a first rate blues-rock album with stellar musicians..." - ROCK AND BLUES MUSE (January 2018)
"I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Atlantic Detour, from Revelator Hill and it's a solid dose of rock! Opening with Bad Luck Goodbye, Bobby Thompson has the lead on vocal and guitar, backed by Seth Morrissey on bass, Wes Lanich on keys, Gary Crockett on drums and Jeff Mills on percussion. Classic styling, clever time changes and a solid beat make this a great opener. With a drone note on guitar, Gets Me Over has a dirty blues sound, overdriven amps, heavy tom tom and cool vocal blending. Look At You Now is a straight forward rocker with a driving beat and riding slide guitar. With a rock hard bass line and snappy drums, this track is rolling. Thompson's lead vocals on Let It Roll are particularly. With super percussion and full organ work, this is one of my favorite tracks on the release." - BMAN'S BLUES REPORT (April 2017)
"... an impressive amalgam of modern blues and AOR sounds. Opening track “Bad Luck Goodbye” is a slice of good-time boogie that augurs well for the rest of the album. Thompson’s fuzzily distorted guitar tones are immediately ear-catching, and they’re well backed up by Crockett’s swinging drums, a funky organ solo from Lanich, and booming bass from Morrissey. They keep it up with “Gets Me Over,” with its sturdy riff over an offbeat groove, laid back chorus and a bridge featuring gutsy, churning chords, and the punchy “Look At You Now” with its neat, descending guitar line and crisp drum sound." - BLUES ROCK REVIEW (March 2017)
Discography
2011 – By the Hand (Bobby Thompson)
Bobby’s debut album introduced his soulful blend of blues, folk, and rock. With raw slide guitar, heartfelt lyrics, and stripped-down arrangements, By the Hand set the stage for his journey as a solo artist.
🎧 Spotify | Apple Music | 🛒 Amazon Music
2014 – Stone Feathers (Blueheart Revival)
As frontman for Blueheart Revival, Bobby pushed into bigger, bolder sounds. Stone Feathers is full of gritty guitar riffs and soaring hooks, capturing the energy of a full band firing on all cylinders.
🎧 Spotify | Apple Music | 🛒 Amazon Music
2015 – Live at IOTA (Bobby Thompson)
Recorded at the legendary IOTA Club in Arlington, VA, this live record showcases Bobby’s fiery guitar work and onstage chemistry.
🎧 Spotify | Apple Music | 🛒 Amazon Music
2016 – Atlantic Detour (Revelator Hill)
With Revelator Hill, Bobby leaned into southern blues-rock grit. Atlantic Detour balances blistering guitar solos with swampy grooves and storytelling.
🎧 Spotify | Apple Music | 🛒 Amazon Music
2017 – Retrospect (Bobby Thompson)
A reimagining of earlier works, Retrospect bridges acoustic folk-blues with electric energy, highlighting Bobby’s evolution as a songwriter.
🎧 Spotify | Apple Music | 🛒 Amazon Music
2018 – Live by the Creek (Revelator Hill with Ron Holloway)
This live collaboration with saxophonist Ron Holloway expands the band’s sound with funk and jazz improvisations.
🎧 Spotify | Apple Music | 🛒 Amazon Music
2019 – Bobby Thompson (Self-Titled)
This self-titled record unites rootsy blues, rock, and soul — a defining statement of Bobby’s artistry.
🎧 Spotify | Apple Music | 🛒 Amazon Music
2023 – Old Home (Bobby Thompson)
A deeply personal record exploring family, memory, and place with stripped-down production and intimate songwriting.
🎧 Spotify | Apple Music | 🛒 Amazon Music
2025 – Shine (Bobby Thompson Band)
The latest release, Shine, celebrates Bobby’s journey with an energetic, groove-driven blues-rock sound that also marks his transition into his next chapter as Bobby Carrillo.
🎧 Spotify | Apple Music | 🛒 Amazon Music