When a musician gets tired of making music, he has many options, but as Capitol recording artist Richard Thompson learned, it is hard to find the right road to travel.

“In the mid-seventies I sort of stopped and opened an antique shop,” Thompson said in a press release. “But that’s good because you realize what your talents are. I’m terrible at driving a hard bargain, and I missed playing music. I’ve got more talent at music than opening the door of a shop.”

If an artist starts out in the ’60s and is still playing shows in the ’90s, that can only mean one thing — he must be doing something right.

Folk singer, guitarist, song-writer and composer, Thompson began in the ’60s playing with the Fairport Convention but left the band to go solo and release “Henry the Human Fly.”

He has been musically involved with over 25 albums throughout his prolonged career. Working with artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Led Zepplin and Pink Floyd, Thompson’s songs have also been covered by the likes of R.E.M. and Elvis Costello.

Thompson formed a professional relationship with his wife, and they went under the name Richard and Linda Thompson, putting out a few records, most notably “I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight” in 1974.

The Thompsons separated in 1982 in the midst of Thompson’s second solo release, “Strict Tempo.” He continued on through the ’80s, making several solo albums.

He joined forces with Capitol in 1988 as his genre was interchanging folk, rock and pop and released “Amnesia,” which he recorded in about six weeks.

“Sometimes the best way to do a record is not really to prepare too much,” Thompson said. “I think music has to surprise you. To go into the studio and not exactly know who’s going to play what or how anything is going to turn out is very exciting.”

The ’90s have included Thompson doing the soundtrack to the movie “Sweet Talker” in 1992 and a boxed set in 1993, “Watching the Dark: The History,” before releasing “You? Me? Us?” in 1996, which received a four star rating in Rolling Stone.

“Thompson’s special genius is in the way the slightly bassy warmth of his voice and his singular style of earthy pop classicism humanize all the hurt and mistrust,” Rolling Stone said.

Thompson’s latest release came in 1997 when he hooked up with the strings and horns of Danny Thompson to put out “Industry,” which also received rave reviews.

One thing that sets Thompson apart from other musicians and helps him have such longevity is his songwriting ability.

“I wouldn’t say it’s easy. It’s something that I like doing, but it’s a struggle, a battle,” Thompson said. “That’s probably a good thing. If it was easy, I’d doubt the worth of anything I did.”

Thompson may be getting older, but his mind-set shows he is as young as ever. He doesn’t anticipate any problems musically as he continues.

“You should be more creative as you get older,” Thompson said. “I feel to old to rock ‘n’ roll in one sense; the market is really young, it always has been, there’s no denying that. I suppose now that rock music is so broad a category, it can support boring old farts like me.”

Thompson will play two shows Sunday at The Maintenance Shop at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Tickets are $15 for students and $20 general admission.