Short Bio of Speaker

Adam Thompson's career in music commenced relatively late. After emerging from a small country town where musical influences were few and far between, a chance encounter with an ambitious musician while at university in Geelong served to change his life forever.

"After writing my first song, I was hooked. I immediately knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, " he recalls. "There was no looking back."

In the early 90's, Adam formed what would be the early beginnings of Chocolate Starfish, a band that would pin its image on Adam's often outrageous appearance and on-stage persona. Chocolate Starfish went on to have six top 40 singles and two top ten albums in the Australian charts, gold and platinum record sales, and claim an ARIA award for "Most Popular Album ". Those years were a heady rush of instant success - their debut album entered the ARIA charts at #2 - nationwide recognition and non-stop touring (Chocolate Starfish were often referred to as 'Australia's hardest working band'). Whilst Chocolate Starfish were not always the darling of media critics, reviewers nonetheless credited Adam with leaving an indelible impression on the local music industry. "Always entertaining, often misunderstood, but unmistakeably the total performer, Adam Thompson never leaves you wanting more, " wrote one critic in the Adelaide Advertiser.

After Chocolate Starfish disbanded in 1998, Adam began a very personal solo journey that crossed boundaries with his professional persona. As Adam's musical journey travelled its destiny, he endeared himself to many fellow artists, who, even if their style was different, respected Adam's unique approach to music. Judith Durham proclaimed on 'This is Your Life', "Adam is such a great writer and a great performer, I have learnt much from him. "

Adam's long awaited debut solo album Reconnected is the captivating and multi-hued product of six years of introspection. The self-penned songs spring from some soul searching and confirm the evolution of a performer best described as 'anything but predictable'. "One of the hardest things for an artist is to sound like themselves; by allowing my influences to be many and varied, I have found my own voice, " he comments. Adam's voice on Reconnected has a vast range, is full of emotion and deep-seated passion, able to convey both heartbreaking tenderness and electrifying energy, often within the realms of one song.

Acclaimed for his powerful voice and potent lyrics, Adam has received regular praise as the 'consummate rock n roll front man'. Although proud of his stage presence, Adam believes Reconnected will alert listeners to a depth beyond the raw energy. "After Chocolate Starfish, I needed to find out what I felt about life, " he reflects. "When you're part of a successful juggernaut that steamrolls along, it's impossible not to be affected by media perceptions. When you remove yourself from that situation, you're instantly confronted with all your complexities. " Adam's personal therapy, much of which took place while based in Stockholm, has resulted in some of his most passionate and inspirational lyrics to date.

Reconnected arrives at a time when Adam's personal journey is fanning out in numerous directions. Over the past six years he has worked extensively as a motivational speaker, and also created Muso Magic!", a song writing workshop that assists the development of 'at risk' students to retain a level of acceptance and achievement within the education system. This has now been adopted in partnership with Education Queensland and various school clusters in NSW and Victoria. In 2001 he joined ARMtour, which is an organisation dedicated to helping remote Aboriginal communities in central and Western Australia. Through an adaptation of Muso Magic!", Adam works with indigenous kids living in outback communities and, through music, he has successfully helped to bridge a cultural gap. The immense satisfaction and sense of optimism he has derived from these pursuits infuse the songs on Reconnected.

"Precious soul, when you look for gold, you've already found the mother lode, " sings Adam on the track "You Can Shine ". Such sentiments have convinced Adam he is on the threshold of an exciting new phase in his music career, where the assured individual merges with the committed performer.

Adam has also taken on the mantle of Entertainment director of Hamilton Island.

"We are excited about the prospects Hamilton Island holds as a unique entertainment experience for artists and music appreciators alike " he said.

With plans to build a faculty of the Central Queensland University on Island where students can study and receive practical experience as performers, Hamilton Islands musical students will provide the musical constant that will be complimented by high quality local and International artists.

It has taken some years, but Adam Thompson is truly Reconnected.

Topics
In Search of the Everyday Superstar
Target Audience: Male and female between15 and 60
Level of Sophistication: Intermediate

Duration of Talk: 40-60 minutes

Synopsis of Presentation: Everyday Superstar is about my success in the music industry and how it relates to the Shakesperean quote that the whole world is a stage and we are all players,

Music is the metaphor for many parallels with people in the corporate sector and the 'audience' they contact with on a daily basis.

Who Should Attend: Upper and middle Management, General Public,

How you will benefit: Self belief will increase with the use of music parallels and people will feel the need to apply passion and performance to their daily lives.

Classification: Communication and Coaching

Muso Magic Songwriting workshop
Target Audience: Corporate companies requiring a team building exercise

Level of Sophistication: Advanced

Duration of Workshop: 4 hours

Synopsis of Presentation: Muso Magic is a four hour workshop that enables participants to teambuild through songwriting and recording.

Who Should Attend: Anyone who has ever felt a song or lyric that moved them.

How you will benefit: Through subconscious expression and democratic negotiation, teams put lyrics relevant to company ethics or conference agenda, that is a tangible product that can be taken away. All participants will record as a group effort, as well as make a video that accompanies the song.

Classification: Communication and Coaching