About Me
Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Tommy began his professional singing career in the second grade as a soloist in the nationally recognized touring group, The Charlotte Boy's Choir. By the age of 10, Tommy had toured the Eastern United States, participated in three national recordings for R.C.A. Victor Records and had the honor of participating in a command performance for the Queen of England in the old Madison Square Gardens.In the late 1960's Tommy's family moved to Newberry, South Carolina, where Tommy was introduced to the music of the south --Soul Music. As a budding soul singer Tommy had the privilege of opening for many of the great R&B artists of our time, including Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Wilson Picket , The Isley Brothers (featuring then unknown guitarist - Jimi Hendrix), Jackie Wilson, The Ike (& Tina) Turner Review, Jerry Butler, Little Anthony & the Imperials, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Billy Stewart, Rufus Thomas, Redd Fox and many others.At 19, Tommy discovered why the South's "Chitlin' Circuit" used wire mesh screens to separate the fans from the stage as he toured as vocalist and guitarist for Percy Sledge, supporting the new hit single, When a Man Loves a Woman.In 1979, after graduating from the University of South Carolina as a high school history teacher, Tommy accepted an offer from Grammy award winning Gospel artist, Andrae Crouch and moved to Los Angeles to become a member of Andrae Crouch's vocal group The Disciples.In 1980, Tommy joined keyboardist David Foster and guitarist Jay Graydon as 1ead singer of the critically acclaimed group Airplay, singing the original recording of the Grammy winning song, After the Love Is Gone.
In 1982, Tommy joined original Eagles guitarist, Bernie Leadon, Elvis’ bassist Jerry Scheff, drummer David Kemper (Bob Dylan) and guitarist/writer Michael Georgiades in the short -lived rock group Zoe.
In late 1983, Tommy joined the Grammy award winning group Sea Wind and began a series of collaborations with composer/drummer Bob Wilson. In 1985, Tommy and Bob founded the award winning group The Front and produced the same titled album, judged by Contemporary Christian Music Magazine as "the best album of 1986". The Front who boasted both super session guitarists Dan Huff and Michael Thompson, keyboardist Larry Williams, performed throughout the United States and Europe and had the distinction of being the first Christian recording act to release their music on the then "new" CD format.
In 1987, Tommy and Bob joined forces with guitarists Michael Landau, Michael Thompson and Dan Huff, bassist Larry Klein, and Sea Wind keyboardist Larry Williams recorded their debut album entitled What If for R.C.A. records
In 1989, Tommy and writing partner Martin Page penned the international hit, It's Not Enough for Jefferson Starship, which was recognized as the "Most Played Rock Song" of 1991 by BMI.Also in 1989, Tommy and multi-platinum songwriter Bruce Gaitsch in formed the internationally acclaimed group King of Hearts. Featuring Eagles' bassist Timothy B. Schmit, Kelly Keaggy, Bill Champlin, Greg Phillingaines, George Hawkins, King Of Hearts have released five albums and have toured in Japan, Europe and South Africa.As a songwriter, music producer and recording artist for RCA, BMG, MCA, Polydor and Pioneer music labels, Tommy has performed on hundreds of recordings including many international and Grammy-winning hits by artists as diverse as Boston, Jimmy Page, Henry Mancini, Yes, Spinal Tap, Bon Jovi, Tom Jones, Elton John, Burt Bacharach, Bad Company, Paul Young, Amy Grant, Berni Taupin, Bad English, Pat Benatar, REO Speed Wagon, The Cure, Michael Jackson, Motley Crue, Jefferson Starship, Rod Stewart, Wang Chung, Celine Dion, Manhatten Transfer, Al Jarreau, Poison, Rick Springfield, Dwight Yoakam, Whitesnake, Heart and many, many others.
In 2003, Tommy founded artist's label, Sovereign Artists, Inc., signing a diverse roster of talent, including multi-platinum and Grammy winner, Heart , Grammy winner, Don Grusin and six-time Grammy winner, Dee Dee Bridgewater. Tommy continues to perform and record and in 2005 released his first solo album, Anything for You on Frontiers Records.Get your layout at PimpMySpaceCodes.net
