Toms Bio

How and when did you join the band?
Craigslist had an advertisement for this remarkable band and after visiting the web-site to see what it was about, I decided to put in an application and got the job! I got the gig at the end of July and I’ve been happy ever since.

Who are your musical influences?
Just about anybody that recorded in the '60s thru to mid-'90s. (I’m still waiting for the next big Beatles.) James Taylor to John Mayer, Lynyrd Skynyrd to Big Head Todd and the Monsters, and a lot more in between.

What was your most memorable gig? Why?
In Europe I had the opportunity to open for 'Smokie' (not soul-brother Smokey Robinson, but an English group famous for the song, “Living Next Door to Alice.”) I was the opening act in a duo with another great guitar player, Michael Gruber, and we performed before a crowd of 2500 people. I still can close my eyes and see those people as if it were yesterday.

What was your worst performance experience?
I’ve had a few, but nothing that really stands out as embarrassing or worst. Then again, I do remember a time in Europe when I needed a bass player and met this guy who said he could play. We had a rehearsal and I taught him the songs, but on gig night he went into outer space! Missed every note! That was the worst, but just as it really got bad our ex-bass player happened to walk into the bar and saved the day. Good? Bad? You be the judge.

What songs do you most enjoy playing?
Acoustic stuff, but whatever brings a smile to the faces of listeners works for me. Rock stuff is icing on the cake.

What is your current instrumental setup?
I use a couple of guitars: Fender Custom Shop 62’ Strat with .10’s, E.C. Strat. w/.10’s; Gibson Les Paul Faded Standard w/.10’s; Taylor DDSM w/.12’s; Vox ADX120 amp w/FC. Working on getting my new rig together (Fender Deluxe Reverb and various foot pedals, Fulltone, Keeley…etc.) and will be using it in future gigs. So come check it out! My mics are a Shure Beta 58 for vocals and a Shure 57 for the amps. I also have a L1 Bose system for the DDSM.

What would you like to be when you grow up?
Mechanical Engineer...wait...why should I grow up?

Other hobbies?
I like riding my Cannondale 6-13, Checker Pig mountain bike or anything else I can fall off of and get 'road rash'.

Favorite TV show: Anything History or Science
Favorite Movie: Blazing Saddles, Open Range, and Sci-fi stuff
Favorite Book: “Why Men Don’t Listen and Women Can’t Read Maps”, by Barbara and Allan Pease. This is must-read material for any type of couple.
Favorite Food: Anything that doesn’t move on the plate but French wine and cheese tops the food chain for me.
Favorite Drink: Great beers and Pinot Noir
Favorite Color: I like blue, but my wife says green.
Pet Peeves: Americans behind the wheel of a car with a cell phone stuck to the ear and oblivious to everything on the road.
Something most people might not know about me:
I’m fluent in the German language.
Favorite quotes: Don’t really have anything, they all sound a little corny to me. Suggestions are accepted. “To love is to be remembered,” whatever that means.