Here's the story...
About Tom
By the time he was 12 years old, Tom Pallardy was playing saxophone and singing in nightclubs in the St. Louis area. Growing up in St. Louis listening to the amazing Jimmy Bishop on KATZ 1600 AM and KXLW 1320 AM, Tom developed a love for Rhythm & Blues that remains an integral part of his performances today. In his early days of playing with the Galaxies and the Bondels—4 horns, 5 singers, guitar, bass, and drums—practices were held in the basement of his home, much to the delight of his 5 brothers and sisters, perhaps not so much to the neighbors. :)
From popular clubs such as George Edick’s Club Imperial, The 2+2 Club, and The Club Riviera to regular gigs on The S.S. Admiral showboat and The Aerospace Lounge, St. Louis provided the perfect springboard for Tom’s eventual performances with a wide variety of artists, including Chuck Berry, Ike & Tina Turner, The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, The Coasters, George Jones, Donna Fargo, Vern Gosdin, Loretta Lynn, Bobby Bare, Stella Parton, Helen Cornelius, Johnny Rodriguez, Tony Joe White, Percy Sledge, Clifford Curry, Frankie Ford, Rufus Thomas, The Box Tops, & Jason Isbell.
After graduating with a degree in Music Education, Tom moved to Nashville in 1975. There he taught music at Eakin Elementary School and pursued his passion for songwriting. His original songs were recorded by Mel Tillis, Nancy Sinatra, Frankie Ford, Marty Martel, himself, and many others. Tom also helped develop The Country Music Foundation’s curriculum for the esteemed Words and Music Program, which paired school-age children with professional songwriters, teaching them the basics of lyric writing while providing them with a genuine co-writing experience. He was often invited to serve as a panelist for songwriting seminars throughout the country.
His Nashville experience also included 20 years of owning a demo recording studio—Top Tracks—on Music Row. Tom successfully balanced careers in songwriting and music publishing, arranging and producing, and playing on recording sessions.
Tom’s heartfelt and energetic performances on saxophone, keyboards, flute, and vocals made him an in-demand entertainer. While in Nashville Tom was a member of popular party and dance bands—The 1969 Band, Fade to Black, The Jan Cronin Band, and Five Points Swing—as well as being called upon by others. As an example, when Marion James, the Queen of the Blues, performed in Printers Alley at Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar, she phoned Tom to play sax. Tom was a familiar part of the Nashville music scene, and he loved it!
But the peace of river life and the music of the Shoals called to him. Having owned property in the Shoals area since 2014, Tom and his wife, Cathy, built a more permanent home on the river, where they live now with their dog, Sally. “Retired” is somewhat of an anomaly to describe this stage of his life. Not only does he get to fish and revel in living in a natural setting among an extensive variety of birds and wildlife, but he’s playing more gigs and in more bands than ever, and couldn’t be happier about it!
Now performing with his own band, The O*M*G! Band, and having co-produced a CD of his original works, Nothin’ But Mine, Tom is having the time of his life. He invites you to come hear him play, buy his CD, and contact him. He’d love to hear from you!