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Tom was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in September of 1946. His musical journey began at age 3 in Berlin Wisconsin when his parents got him a toy drum to keep him off the pots and pans. He can remember that the very next day he was doing basic drum rudiments with the precision of someone much more advanced in percussion methodology. He was hooked. When he entered 5th grade he began playing with the junior orchestra as well as the marching band. When he entered 8th grade he was allowed to perform with the senior orchestra and marching band. No one had done this before him. He started regular lessons with Harv Erdman, his high school drum instructor, who was an accomplished drummer, playing with, among others, “The Green Bay Packer Field Orchestra”, and Larry Woodberry and His Orchestra. Tom later played with Woodberry while he attended college in 1964. While still in high school, he would borrow one of the school’s snare drums to practice his performances for the Wisconsin state solo-ensemble contests, held each year in different cities around the state. He took first place four years in a row while in high school. He was awarded numerous ribbons and metals. On his 16th birthday his parents bought him his first drum kit and soon after was playing with adults in local nightclubs. Tom’s parents had to chaperone since he wasn’t old enough to get in the clubs without them. Now and again he did special performances with some of the well-known musicians in the area. In college, UW-Oshkosh, Tom played in the university marching band and started his own group called “The Others”. This was his first band with players his own age. They played light rock. He did not return to college his 2nd year because of a job that allowed him travel for the first time in his life. His father told him to get back in school, but Tom did not listen and consequently was drafted into the military. He served 2 years in Europe where he did not play his drums. When he got home and was discharged, he returned to school and joined a group called “Bacchus” (The God of Wine). He also turned to alcohol and drugs and the music came to a screeching halt. He eventually had to pawn his drum set to support his addictions. He sobered up in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1982. He didn’t play again until joining Walker Community United Methodist church in south Minneapolis, where he found many opportunities to play the drums. He played with “The Walker Rockers” in 1992. His passion was renewed for music. He bought a used set of drums and slowly regained his confidence. He joined the Fireroast Mountain Boys in 2002 (he is still a member of that band). Tom joined Judge Bennett in 2004 (see band history). Tom sits in with local bands playing rock, rhythm & blues and country.