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Originally from western Nebraska, Tom has called Toronto, Boston, St. Louis, Omaha, and now the Pacific Northwest home. On twelve and six string guitars, he accompanies his baritone voice with intricate stylings not often heard in folk music. Stories, humor, and occasionally even the Irish pennywhistle introduce the songs featured in his concerts.
Toms
music was chosen to represent Nebraska at the National
Arts Councils annual conference in 1994 and 1995 in
South
Carolina and Omaha.
In September of 1994, Tom headlined a special series of concerts with
the Omaha Symphony Orchestra, one of
the most acclaimed regional orchestras in the U.S. He performed a
set of his music with full orchestral accompaniment to capacity crowds
and rave reviews. In 1997 and 1998, Tom did a series of concerts throughout
Alaska
in honor of the Klondike
Gold Rush centennial. Tom has toured with and opened for many well known artists, Gordon Lightfoot, Alabama, Willie Nelson, and many others. He currently perfroms and tours solo or with his acoustic trio, and has released ten critically acclaimed, widely distributed albums. His most recent release was the 2002 release, "Vested". These recordings have been played on public and commercial radio from coast to coast, as well as overseas. In addition to his live concert appearances, Tom has appeared on dozens of radio and television programs. National Public Radios syndicated Mountain Stage , Radio Eirhenns (Ireland) Andy OMahoney show, and the Canadian Broadcast Corporations Ian Tyson Show (Television) to name a few.
!n 1994, the popularity of the radio program led to a television version of the program that Tom hosted. The show was produced for the Americana Cable Network out of Branson, Missouri. Thirty-two episodes were filmed , featuring some of the best known contemporary folk musicians in the country. The show aired on commercial cable outlets across the U.S. , and can still be seen on select public televsion stations He also
coordinates and founded Winterfolk, an annual SRO charity concert
at Portland, Oregons Aladdin Theatre, which has become Portland's
largest annual acoustic music celebration. Thorugh the years Tom has
directed and consulted for many festivals, including 33 years as a professional musician has led Tom May to describe the "true wealth of the music business--the friends that you made and the folks you are lucky enough to have a chance to play for." He has lived a life performing, writing, and promoting this music that he truly believes in, "music that makes a differnece." The people who hear Tom are captivated by his unforgettable voice, evocative melodies, and a warmth that gives his performance a degree of musicality and professionalism unsurpassed in acoustic music. www.tommayfolk.com rcftommay@msn.com
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