Mark Thompson Honored As He Steps Down As President

Over 12 years have passed since Crossroads Blues Society moved to the Rockford area from it’s original base in Lanark, IL. Only one man has led the organization since that time, and it is with great regret that he is leaving the area and has to step down. Mark Thompson has been “The” President of the Soci-ety for all of that time, leading it to greater and greater levels of benefit to the com-munity and to the blues music world.


At the March 9th meeting to elect replacement officers, Thompson was honored for his work and was made an Honorary Member of Crossroads for life. He is the first member to be made an honorary life member. He also got a gift of a Kindle e-reader and great gag gifts from his friends in Crossroads. Bonnie Fox even wrote a blues song about him!

Mark and his wife Pam are leaving us for the sunny shores of Gulfport, Florida. The Tampa/St. Pete area of the West Coast of the Sunshine state is home to many a blues band, several festivals, and a blues society; near-by Bradenton is also the home of Blues Revue Magazine, so we are sure Mark will remain quite busy in the blues arena. Crossroads will miss his hard work and dedication.


At the meeting, Steve Jones was elected to replace Mark as President. Other additions to the Board of Directors were Terry Keller to replace Joe Poluyanskis and Rich Gordon to replace Steve’s slot. Joe stepped down off the board and Crossroads thanks him for his hard work, too.