Music from Kenny Thompson & Friends at the Carve!

"Kenny Thompson & Friends" is the band that has provided music for the The Chadds Ford Historical Society's Great Pumpkin Carve for the past 31 years. The "Pumpkin Carve History" link tells about how the event got started. The music began and grew in a similar manner to the Carve itself. Local musicians were inspired to bring their instruments, join in the event, and entertain the crowd. Kenny recalls Caleb Cressman & Brandywine Bill, as well as some of the carvers themselves, including Pete Renzetti and Jimmy Lynch being among the first.

Kenny Thompson, along with his bandmates from the Rural Rhythm String Band, Dave Culgan, Leo McDermott, Chris Ferrier, and Eric Paulson, were among the earliest players to jump on that proverbial bandwagon. In fact, Kenny believes he may be the only person to have played every Carve except that first one!

As the event grew, it moved to various local venues, and whoever showed up was welcome to play. And many did! It was in 1992, when the Chadds Ford Historical Society gave the festivities a permanent home and expanded it to a three-night event, that "Kenny Thompson & Friends" became the official band of The Great Pumpkin Carve of Chadds Ford. In addition to Kenny, the band's nucleus has been Kevin Delaney, Billy Graham, and, in more recent years, Karen Hennigan.

Last year they were honored to be the subject of the cover story of the October issue of Chadds Ford Neighbors Magazine. The article gives more details about the history of our role providing music for the Carve over the last 31 years. Every year we call on some of the area's best musicians to come out and become "Friends" for an evening.     

Here's the Band's line-up for the 2023 Pumpkin Carve:

Thursday October 19th
Music from 4pm 'til 9pm

Kevin Delaney
~Fiddle, Mandolin, Guitar, & Vocals

Billy Graham
~Drums, percussion, & spoons

Karen Hennigan
~Electric Bass Guitar

Kenny Thompson
~Piano, Guitar, Mandolin, Harmonica, Vocals

           We are thrilled to be joined for the first time by the hardest working act in                       the area: Max and Denise!

Denise Collins
~Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin, & Percussion.

Max Collins
~Vocals, Guitar

Friday, October 20       
Music from 4pm 'til 9pm

Kevin Delaney
~Fiddle, Mandolin, Guitar, & Vocals

Billy Graham
~Drums, percussion, & spoons

Karen Hennigan
~Electric Bass Guitar

Kenny Thompson
~Piano, Guitar, Mandolin, Harmonica, Vocals

          Our guest "Friend" this evening is Kenny's brother, Jimmy Thompson. This will              be Jim's first appearance at the Carve and we're very happy to have him!

Jim Thompson
~Accordion, Piano, & Guitar

Saturday October 21
Music from 3pm 'til 9pm

Kevin Delaney
~Fiddle, Mandolin, Guitar, & Vocals

Billy Graham
~Drums, percussion, & spoons

Karen Hennigan
~Electric Bass Guitar

Kenny Thompson
~Piano, Guitar, Mandolin, Harmonica, Vocals

           Joe Kelly will be our guest "Friend" for this evening. We've been lucky to have               Joe join us many times at the Carve! He and Kevin are life-long friends, and                 they play & sing beautifully together!

       Joe Kelly
           ~Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals
 

Hope to see you all there!