Thompson helped keep old-time music alive through his band, the Red Clay Ramblers. Born in St. Albans (Kanawha County), he learned banjo and fiddle styles from traditional musicians and co-founded the Hollow Rock String Band while in college. He won the World Champion Old Time Banjo contest in 1971.

Thompson later formed the Red Clay Ramblers, performing successful musicals and recording albums that expanded string band music. He appeared in plays and films, including works by Sam Shepard. Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 1994, he retired but continued performing occasionally with his daughter. He was inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame in 2011.