After playing drums throughout high school, Tom was drafted into the military in 1966. He served 2 years in Europe where he did not play his drums. When he was discharged in 1968, he joined a group called "Bacchus." 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. Tom also sits in with local bands playing rock, rhythm & blues, and country.