Thompson is especially well regarded as a guitar player. In 1991 he was awarded the Orville H. Gibson award for best acoustic guitar player.
Thompson's songwriting has been recognised by an Ivor Novello Award and, in 2006, a lifetime achievement award from BBC Radio. Artists who have recorded Thompson compositions include Del McCoury, R.E.M., Bonnie Raitt, Christy Moore, David Gilmour, Mary Black, Elvis Costello, The Corrs, Shawn Colvin, Norma Waterson, Maura O'Connell and The Blind Boys of Alabama.
Richard Thompson made his debut as a recording artist as a member of Fairport Convention in September 1967. He continues to write and record new material and performs live frequently throughout Canada, the United States, Europe and Australia.
From Wikipedia
