Justin Jaymes, Ernest Thompson combine on ‘Harley Chick’ album

LACONIA — Local rock and blues legend Justin Jaymes teams with On Golden Pond Oscar winner Ernest Thompson to create the ultimate love song to Harley-Davidson, summertime and freedom. Bikers and all rock-n-roll lovers are invited to the official launch party of Harley Chick on Wednesday, June 17 at 6:30 pm at Tower Hill Tavern, on the main strip in Weirs Beach, where Thompson and Jaymes will be autographing CDs and Jaymes will perform live.

"Harley Chick" is all about hopping on a chopper and heading down a mountain road, finding a place to disappear and "dive in water warm and crystal clear." Thompson and Jaymes, both longtime residents of NH, wanted to capture the Live Free or Die spirit and sensuality of 'hauling down the highway ... the wind whipping cool and slick,' making 'you come alive.'

The flip side, "Old Boys Rock," is an irresistible, foot-stomping blues celebration of the eternal appetite boys of all ages have for being in love. Backed by New Hampshire musicians Jared Steer on drums and Gardner Berry on keyboards, current Vanilla Fudge bassist Pete Bremy and world-renowned guitar maestro Randy Roos, "Old Boys Rock" is the perfect answer to the age-old question, "does passion diminish with age?" Not for Ernest Thompson and Justin Jaymes and not in "Old Boys Rock." It just keeps getting better.

Thompson, whose family lived in Walpole when he was born, reconnected with the Granite State in 1980 when he filmed his award-winning blockbuster On Golden Pond on Squam Lake and never left. He raised his kids in the Lakes Region and has been an active filmmaker, actor, teacher and fierce supporter of local talent, offering On Location Training to anyone with any background, interested in any aspect of moviemaking. With partners Morgan Murphy and Lori Gigliotti Murphy, he founded Whitebridge Farm Productions and has shot two movies from his base in New Hampton, Time and Charges and Heavenly Angle. A prolific songwriter, Thompson has collaborated with international stars Carly Simon, Joan Osborne and Natalie MacMaster, as well as New Hampshire's own Mighty Sam McClain, Joe Deleault and Ray Porcell. Thompson's partnership with Justin Jaymes began two years ago when they both participated in a tribute to the late, great rocker Joe Droukas, and has produced a double album's worth of songs, culminating with their first release, "Harley Chick" and "Old Boys Rock."

Jaymes, originally from Connecticut, has played up and down the East Coast, moving to the Lakes Region in the 90s and quickly establishing himself as a fan favorite, headlining in local clubs, performing pre- and post-shows at Meadowbrook for the Zac Brown Band and other acts and sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in the business, Blue Oyster Cult, Papa John Creech, Spencer Davis, Aztec Two Step, Jonathan Edwards and Blind Willie Smith. His first album, Just In Dreams, has been a steady seller for several years.

The official launch party for Harley Chick, Wednesday, June 17 at 6:30 pm at Tower Hill Tavern, in Weirs Beach, will feature both Thompson and Jaymes in person and a live performance of "Harley Chick" and "Old Boys Rock," followed by a full show of Thompson/Jaymes hits and other classics both artists came of age rocking to.

Other Justin Jaymes shows during Motorcycle Week include:

June 14 at 1:00 pm - Junior's Crush House, Gilford.

June 18 at 7:00 pm - Foster's Boiler Room, Plymouth.

June 19 at 7:00 pm - Mad River Tavern, Campton.

June 20 at 7:00 pm - Knotty Pine Tavern, Wakefield.

JUNE 21 at 2:00 pm - J.P. China, Alton Bay, NH