Thomas Michael Riley was born in Buckingham, Texas. Buckingham, Texas is a little North of Dallas near Richardson, Texas and back in those days was a town of its very own, with a town marshal and a polo club. Thats right I said a polo club! Thomas reminisces of the days that he dreamed of growing up and playing on the polo team. This dream faded about the eighth grade when he found that playing a guitar and performing seemed a more enjoyable pastime and that girls really liked musicians better than polo players, besides playing polo in a cotton field wasnt all that glamorous to begin with.The family moved to the South Texas community of Medina in the early seventies and it was in the early eighties that Thomas entered, the then, Southwest Texas State University and pursued some serious book learning. I guess that he was successful in this pursuit as over the years he forged out a living in corporate America.
Thomas was a weekend performer of music for over 14 years before making the decision to pursue his music full time, playing just on weekends didnt count? I guess that having raised a family and after having sent his own two kids off to The University of Texas for the daughter and Texas A&M University for the son he felt that he needed to focus on his true lifes love, music.I dont know if it was due to his having compiled over 500 songs in his catalog or the fact that several had been covered by Texas country legend Gary P. Nunn, but the decision was made and the yoke of the businessman was cast off and he became a seven day a week 24 hour a day member of the Texas Music community.Looking back on over fourteen years of playing gigs with his band and having cut several very successful albums, Thomas felt that it was time to take his passion to another level. This all came about in 2002 and he has never even considered looking back, besides polo players just dont come that large!
Over the past three years Thomas has continued to add to his ever growing fan base and has been able to play gigs in towns outside of the hill country of Texas. His act has expanded to include several different combinations each having a bit of a different flavor and each having its own niche in the hearts of his fans. The full band show is still a favorite at festivals and fairs and the trio is in constant demand for private parties. Thomas has also teamed up with Mike Blakely and Johnny Gringo in a trio billed as the Note Gropers. This particular set-up is a real favorite at road houses throughout the hill country. Most recently the duo of Thomas Michael Riley and Larry Nye has been stirring the pot and adding yet another dimension to the TMR saga.Perfectly Normal hit the Texas music charts like a thunderbolt and was a top 20 song for over 20 weeks. Thomas wrote the song and it was recorded by Gary P. Nunn and showed thatThomas talent as a songwriter is starting to be recognized by the entire industry. Gary has also recorded; Redneck Riviera, Cow Pasture Pool, First Things First, Nowhere Fast and Huntin Season, all penned by TMR.During a visit out to Thomas hide-away in the hills and sharing a cold beverage out on the porch with the ever present passel of dogs and cats the subject of identity came up. I queried Thomas in that regard and he replied, Music - My music is constantly changing, since change is the only certainty we have in this life. I don’t want to rewrite the same songs. I have already said so much and have so much more to say. I also find that I am more and more critical of my song writing and that forces me to raise the bar each song because I know that the best song I have ever written will be my next song. I have heard people call me ’The Big Morph’. Well, Emmerson said "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of young minds". I let my heart and soul lead and my music follows. I just try to stay out of the way.
I guess that in some way he answered my question? I figure that the changing process for Thomas will continue and this years offing of music certainly is indicative of not only his range as a songwriter but his deep and undying love of his faith. Thomas has always been a deeply religious man and this stems from not only his upbringing but his conduct in living this life. I asked Thomas why he would do a religious album and he replied; My reason for writing the songs on Cowboy Church: "I just had to put together a collection of songs for the real people out there, who not only enjoy music, but might even sing along... for the folks who laugh, cry, work hard, celebrate, make mistakes, dance, get sick, hurt go out of their way to be a friend, get knocked down, climb back up, sin, pray to God, love, forgive, pray for each other, and get up off their knees and selflessly help one another; the folks that understand God’s church isn’t just a building; for those people who won’t let religion get in the way of salvation."
I guess that returning to his religious roots is a natural thing as Thomas credits his church with providing the PA for his first pay gig back in eighth grade and the story of how he had to rush the system back to the church for the Sunday worship service tends to make you appreciate that twinkle in his eye when he tells it. A very complex and simple man whose credits are growing daily he is certainly an act and an entertainer to watch, after all He is very quick and quite hungry and my money is on him winning out.TMR is currently playing over 160 gigs a year with about a third of those gigs being private affairs. His off time is spent writing songs and traveling to Nashville to collaborate with some of the most successful songwriters in the country on new projects. Though his first offerings were Nashville projects he has been working in studios right here in Texas to produce his most recent works. I highly recommend venue owners to consider adding this gifted artist to their line-up!More can be learned about this entertaining singer songwriter by visiting his web site at; thomasmichaelriley.com.
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