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Writing and playing his own music, and eloquently interpreting the songs of others; sharing through his music history, romance,and his travels with folks throughout the U.S., Canada and overseas in concert halls and clubs; hosting and performing weekly on the national radio/TV program River City Folk--that is just a glimpse at Tom May’s 36 years as a professional folksinger. 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.
Tom’s
music was chosen to represent Nebraska at the National
Art’s Council’s 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. 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 twelve critically
acclaimed, widely distributed albums. His most recent release is
the 2008 release, "Blue Roads, Red Wine". In addition to his live concert appearances, Tom has appeared on dozens of radio and television programs. National Public Radio’s syndicated Mountain Stage , Radio Eirhenn’s (Ireland) Andy O’Mahoney show, and the Canadian Broadcast Corporation’s Ian Tyson Show (Television) to name a few.
In 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. The show aired on commercial and cable outlets across the U.S. , and can still be seen on select public televsion stations. In 2007 Tom co-authored a book for Routledge, New York; "Promoting Your Music; The Lovin of the Game" features interiews with Gordon Lightfoot and others, and has recieved glowing reviews.
He also coordinates and founded Winterfolk, an annual SRO benefit
concert at Portland, Oregon’s Aladdin Theatre, which has become
Portland's largest annual acoustic music celebration. Through the
years Tom has directed and consulted for many festivals, including 36 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 is "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.
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Tom
May has performed in every state in the Union, as well as Canada,
England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany and Belgium. His performing venues
have included prestigious concert halls, small town auditoriums, and
humble coffeehouses--all of which have given him an uncommon rapport
with audiences both large and small. His festival appearances include
Tom
also produces and hosts his own national radio/TV broadcast,