Fiddling Thomsons - Ryan and Brennish

An award winning father and son duo performing lively tunes on many different instruments. We are available to travel anywhere to do performances and educational workshops. We've performed throughout New England and to far flung venues in California, England, and China! Styles include celtic, appalachian, cajun, and international.

 

Together, we play twin fiddles, wooden spoons, zydeco rub board, jaw harp, cajon box drum, rhythm bones, mandolin, 5 string and tenor banjos, mandolin, accordion, flute, foot percussion, piano, cajun triangle, pennywhistle, ukulele, and other folk instruments. We can add band members to make a larger ensemble.

Click HERE to see samples of our performances

Click HERE for information about our CD - "Music for Both Hands."

Click HERE for information about our CD - “Wild Boys of Newmarket.”

Click HERE for a list of our past performances world wide

Testimonials from happy clients:

December 21, 2021

Hi: Just a note that I truly appreciated your talents and performance, and have had many good comments.

Merry Christmas

Doug L.

Wayside Inn, Sudbury, Massachusetts.

June 29, 2021

Lovely, a great addition to my bridal shower

The Fiddling Thomson’s were professional, talented, laid back and easy to work with, and very responsive during communication. They played Irish reels, airs, and jigs as background during my Ireland themed bridal shower and everyone really enjoyed their music. I would definitely recommend and hire again!

Amanda C.

Event Date: June 27th, 2021

June 9, 2021

Fantastic music - perfect for occasion

We were so happy to host the fiddling Thomsons for our event. Very talented, accommodating, and would highly recommend!

Derek R.

May 15, 2021

We were blessed to have this father/son fiddling duo at our small backyard celebration a few weeks ago! After a long COVID year, we decided everyone could use a special festivity and boy was it special!! The music was mesmerizing -many of our guests commented on how relaxed they felt while listening. It was a beautiful Spring evening and their magical fiddle playing made our event one we will always remember! We loved the small educational pieces they planted in between songs - learning about the music gave us an even greater appreciation for the music. Amazing, wonderful, gracious, soft spoken and humble fiddle masters! -

Helen M C.

May 17, 2021

Perfect!

The perfect amount of music and narration about the various instruments and genre of music. Will definitely hire again!

Pamela S.

September 2, 2019

Perfect group for a perfect evening

We had the Fiddling Thompsons for a 51st anniversary party. They came and played on the lawn where all the guests gathered around. The duo entertained everyone with a variety of Irish, Appalachian, Acadian, and Cajun music. At least half a dozen instruments were played, and commentary peppered the wonderful performances. Truly, it was the perfect pairing for this family-and-close-friends celebration.

Carole McCauley

July 3rd, 2019

Great, Very Talented

David Sinclair

March 16, 2019

We couldn’t have been happier!! What a GREAT father/son team. Everyone loved it and the music was so impressive and perfect for St Patrick’s Day!!!!

Katie J.

Summit, New Jersey

August 13, 2018

Great Instrumental bluegrass, folk background for our event. Lots of positive comments about their music, 5 out of 5

March 16, 2018

Ryan and Brennish were fantastic and a pleasure to work with. The music was terrific and everyone enjoyed the evening with their music. We will definitely hire them again for an upcoming event. Highly recommend! Thank you Ryan and Brennish for making our event complete!

Denise Speechley

May 30, 2017

Thanks you both so very much for your hundreds of generous musical moments from the potluck on Thursday all the way up to the end!

Folk College music camp

 

March 27, 2017

"Fiddling Thomsons,

Thank you so very much for playing at our wedding. You truly captured the Irish theme and everybody loved your music. You were a pleasure to work with and have created a wonderful memory for us on such a special day.

Adrienne and Brendan J."

 

November 16, 2016

"Many thanks for playing at the Bath Folk Festival"

Bath Folk Festival, Bath, England

 

October 31, 2016

"We really enjoy the sessions"

Riverwalks Cafe

Nashua, New Hampshire

 

October 17, 2016

really, really, good band, on time, on the mark, a perfect band for any occasion, love the music...

M.M

10th Mass, Millers Falls

 

October 4, 2016

"Hi Ryan

I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to you and your son for making time in your schedule to perform here on Friday.

It was fantastic! The residents loved it!!

Thanks again."

 Gail Bukowski

Activities Director

The Pines of Newmarket

 

October 18, 2015

"Dear Ryan and Brennish

Words alone can not express how much many of us enjoyed your music and getting to know you. Thank you so much for your superb playing AND willingness to help support our historic house as a regional resource." 

Paul Wentworth House, New Hampshire 

 

September 29, 2015

Ryan Thomson (and son!) were absolutely incredible! They were always exactly where they needed to be ... which to me seemed like a miracle considering we didn't have a planner/organizer. They were totally self-sufficient and got everything set up on time AND -- on top of all that -- they played beautifully!!! I'm so glad we booked them for the wedding, it helped make the occasion that much more special. I highly recommend them for any event in need of some amazing fiddle tunes!!!

E.D. Waterford, ME

 

September 19, 2015

Ryan and his son Brennish could not have been more talented, accommodating nor professional. They were a delight to work with and everyone was delighted to be with them. They created a participative atmosphere that engaged and entertained people of all ages and abilities. We were so fortunate to find them.

F. Watkinson - Program Director

Gaining Ground Farm, Concord, MA

June 27, 2015

Ryan Thomson (and son!) were absolutely incredible! They were always exactly where they needed to be… which to me seemed like a miracle considering we didn’t have a planner/organizer. They were totally self-sufficient and got everything set up on time AND - - on top of that - they played beautifully!!! I’m so glad we booked them for the wedding, it helped make the occasion that much more special. I highly recommend them for any event in need of amazing fiddle tunes!!!

Eric D, Waterford, ME

October 27, 2014

Ryan- thank you to you and your son for doing the most amazing job at the wedding. We were beyond thrilled with how lands end turned out. And cocktail hour sounded beautiful! We could hear it well from below while getting our pictures taken. Thank you for passing along the cd we love your music and will be looking for when we can see you live sometime. 

Best wishes 

-Anna 

 

October 24, 2014

Dear Ryan and Brennish, Thank you so much for helping to make our wedding so special! The music was incredible and I hope Matt and I can hear you play again someday in N.H. Thank you again for sharing your incredible talent and so helpful and flexible during the planning process!

A & M Miller

 

October 5, 2014

And especially we thank you for the rousing concert last Thursday evening. You had the gang in the palm of your hand, tapping their feet and joining in lustily to Jambalaya. It was great fun.

Group 2 RoadTrekers

 

September 16, 2014

Ryan and Brennish were amazing and made my daughter's wedding very special with their talents of music with all their instruments!!!! They were extremely accommodating, playing at the pre ceremony, then playing while walking the guest through the woods to our home to the ceremony. He was so flexible dealing with the changing weather conditions . He is so very pleasant and was a joy to work with!!!!

 

September 10, 2014

Dear Ryan and Brennish, Thank you both so much for coming to Kirkwood Corners, the residents loved you. They have been asking when you were coming back, and talking about how wonderful you both play! Thank you again, from the residents and staff of Kirkwood Corner, Jayme Wintle, Activities Director.

 

August 11, 2014

Great music and great people, we really enjoyed listening to them hammer away on their fiddles! Made me feel like I was back down in TX. Thank you Ryan and Brennish for sharing your wonderful music! 

Brian L.

 

May 31, 2014

Thank you so much for providing our wedding with such wonderful music! We appreciate you making the trip all the way here. 

Thank You! The Solders.

 

Feb 26, 2014 

Hi Ryan & Brennish!

Just wanted to say again how enjoyable it was being on the stage with you both this last Saturday! Being backed up by musical talent when I'm calling is always my goal and it was an immense help to make the evening a fun loving event for both dancers and I!

Looking forward to the next time with you!

Cheers,

Don Heinold (Caller)

 

December 2, 2013

Ryan,

Thank you very much for joining us for the 2013 Winter Holiday Stroll! The Fiddling Thomsons performance greatly contributed to the success of this year's event. We appreciate the time and talent your group devoted to your performance. Thank you!

from everyone at

Great American Dream,

Nashua, New Hampshire

October 24, 2013

Hi Ryan:

Thanks so much for performing at the Big E New Hampshire Building this year. We enjoyed having you in the New Hampshire presentation. We certainly hope you enjoyed your time at the Big E and had a chance to see some of the fair!

Thanks again!

Gail McWilliam Jellie, Director

Division of Agricultural Development

 

October 9, 2013

T. F. has made a comment on Hot Fiddles at The Big E - Fiddling 

Sounding better than ever--and yes, you are burning up the strings

October 5, 2013

Fantastic, We loved loved loved the Fiddling Thomsons...great musicians, very upbeat and really nice guys. Thoroughly enjoyed their music. I would hire them again in a heartbeat. Thank you guys you made the evening. 

Wedding reception

Terri S. 

 

September, 2013

Hi Ryan:Thanks so much for performing at the Big E New Hampshire Building this year. We enjoyed having you in the New Hampshire presentation.

Gail McWilliam Jellie, Director Division of Agricultural Development

NH Dept. of Agriculture, Markets & Food

 

August 31, 2013

Hello Thomsons,

I just want to thank you again for your amazing performance last night! It is always such a pleasure to hear your beautiful music live in our store once again!

Rebecca, 

Pickwick's Mercantile.

 

August 26, 2013

Dear Ryan, Brennish and the gang:

You were wonderful, amazing, so much fun, and everyone loved you! "Who was that band?" they wanted to know with lust in their eyes as they thought about dancing with you (or listening to you, as that's what most did) again. I just wanted to thank you wholeheartedly for the gift that you gave us all. You made the day! My family and I had a fantastic day, everything we had hoped for and more. So happy you did you share to give us what one woman called, "a most magical day".

Looking forward to another time,

Yvonne

April 29, 2013

Ryan,

Thanks so much for coming all the way up here to play our dance. Please extend our appreciation to Brennish, the piano player and Paul as well. You folks sounded great and we had a really good crowd. We will be calling you again next year (maybe sooner). Take care Ryan, we'll be in touch

- Michael

April 16, 2013

Ryan-

Thanks again for being great. You are both extremely talented. Thanks for the CD my wife was listening to it all day yesterday!

CB

SVP Group Creative Director

 

Dec 4, 2012

Wonderful evening..everyone loved the music, even the crowd watching football in the other room. Would love to have them for an outdoor party! Thanks for a great evening..Linda HB, private party.

 

November 17, 2012

Hello fiddling Thomson's,

I just wanted to say thank you so much for your wonderful music today. So many people said that they loved hearing you both play today. Actually, our police detail came in to hear you play several times because he said he loved your fiddling also:)

You were wonderful!  I will be in contact again next year. We would love to have you again.

Thanks again, Carly

Nashoba Brooks School, Concord, Massachusetts

 

September 2012

Dear Ryan - Our thanks to you and your son for coming to our celebration Friday night and adding so much fun and specialness to the event. You are both just wonderful and we really appreciate you taking the time!

warm regards,

Ann and Laurie - New Hampshire Made

August 31, 2012

Hi Ryan! 

I'm so glad I received this email, because I came to see you and your son play today in Rochester! I was with my husband and our 4-month-old, and we didn't stay long, unfortunately (had to go change her diaper!!). But I just wanted to say that I enjoyed watching you play for the brief time we were there :). I so value the violin lessons you gave me a while back & am now playing for my daughter (i.e. dual practice session/entertainment for her) :)

You guys are awesome. 

Take care,

Anna

 

June 12, 2012

Thank you for being a part of our 15th Anniversary Celebration Dinner. Ryan and Brennish You had everyone tapping their toes! - Trish. The music was wonderful! Thanks for being a part of the dinner. -  Jennie, What a joy it was to listen to you both. - 

Ann

New Hampshire Made

 

May 17, 2012

Thank you both infinitely for your music on Friday at the coffeehouse. It is such a gift to have talented and gracious musicians like yourselves abound in the community. Your music is beautiful! Thank you, E.B.

 

May 16, 2012

Ryan and his son were wonderful. I would recommend them again and again!

Wake

T.S.

 

March 19, 2012

Thank you for the great performance! The residents really enjoyed it..... Matt, Maple Suites.

 

2012

Mr. Thomson and Brennish, Thank you for coming today. Your music is beautiful! Hope to see you again. Meals on Wheels, Amy and crew at the Brentwood site. 

 

2011

Hi Ryan, - I would like to thank both you and your son for your performance at the Farmers Market in Lawrence, MA yesterday. It was a lively and fun show. Everyone enjoyed it!!

Sandra Frechette - Program Manager, Livelawrence.org

 

2010

Ryan and Brennish, Thank you both for once again, entertaining us with your musical talent. We appreciate your coming here and playing for us! Thanks again -

Kim

Meals on Wheels

 

2009

Dear Ryan and Brennish - Thank you both so much for putting the music in our farm festival! Joyce

Equest, Kennebunk, Maine

 

2008

Hi Ryan, - Thanks again to both of you for your performance today.  Everyone had a wonderful time. I'll be in touch again in the next few months.

K. T. Meals on Wheels - Sunrise/Sunset Activity Center

 

2007

Dear Ryan and Brennish, - Laudetur Jesus Christus! Thank you so very much for your enthusiastic participation at our festival last month. Your set was most enjoyable and your leading of the contra dance indispensable!...Thank you again and may our lady bless you!

Sister Maria Philomena - 

Blueberry Fiddle Festival 2007