Singing borough councilman to highlight local talent night

By: Olivia Tattory
   HIGHTSTOWN — Patrick Thompson is truly a jack of all trades.
   Between his full-time position as vice president of sales at McGraw-Hill Construction, a seat on the Borough Council and his 20-plus-year love for the guitar, the 36-year-old keeps busy.
   Mr. Thompson has played in many bands since he first stepped out into the music scene at just 15 years old. Mostly a member of punk rock bands with names like Black Vomit and …but ugly, the singer-guitarist found it difficult to continue playing regularly in a band once he was grown up.
   "Once I was married and had my first child it became really difficult to continue pursuing it all," said Mr. Thompson.
   On Wednesday, however, Mr. Thompson will have the chance to show his stuff to the Hightstown community and area residents at a local talent night, which is part of the free Summer Concert Series in Association Park on Grant Avenue.
   He will be playing songs that he has written over the years at the outdoor concert, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
   The lyrics are perhaps the most important aspect to music for Mr. Thompson, who says a good song is one that makes people "feel." His lyrics range from strong feelings about political issues but also include love songs.
   Lyrics added in 2004 to the song "Oil, Blood and Palestine," originally written in 1992 during the first Gulf War, reveal Mr. Thompson’s frustration with the continued wars in the Middle East and question President Bush’s decisions: "What are you doing chief? What can’t you hear? They’re blinded by hating you, you’re misplacing our fears."
   Neil Young, Kurt Cobain and Hank Williams Sr. are just a few of the artists Mr. Thompson notes as "largely influential" in his musical career.
   The Summer Concert Series is only in its second year, but due to a large turnout and positive reviews from both the first year and this year, the borough does hope to make it an annual event for Hightstown, said Councilwoman Constance Harinxma, who is liaison to Parks and Recreation.
   "As the summer goes on we’ve been getting more of a turnout," said Ms. Harinxma. "I think a lot of it has to do with word of mouth and neighbors talking to each other."
   The Tone Rangers, a returning act from last year, kicked off the series June 20. The second scheduled concert was canceled due to rain, but will hopefully be rescheduled for sometime in mid-August, said Ms. Harinxma. The act, Steve, is a self-described improvised rock ‘n’ roll band.
   In addition to Mr. Thompson, the local talent night Wednesday will feature Steve Salad, a modern classic rock band, and Hightstown resident Lee Morgan and his bandmate Joe Lutton.
   Mr. Morgan, a singer-songwriter who plays acoustic guitar, tours and plays regularly in New York and Philadelphia. With a "bluesy" sound influenced by James Taylor and other singer-songwriters from the 1970s, Mr. Morgan’s lyrics often focus on soul searching, relationships and emotions associated with the two.
   "I try to write lyrics as evocative and visual as I can in as few words as possible," he said.
   The last concert in the series is scheduled from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 25 and will feature Sin Destinos, a Latino group.
   Those who attend the concerts are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and dinner picnics.
   "We’re really trying to make this a family event for everyone to come out and just have a great time," said Ms. Harinxma. "The playground is there for the children and the environment is very relaxed."
   For more information and updates, log on to www.hightstownborough.com.

   For more information about Mr. Thompson’s music or to purchase a CD visit http://cdbaby.com/cd/patrickt.com. More information about Mr. Morgan and Mr. Lutton can be found at www.joeandlee.com or www.myspace.com/joeandlee.