Exciting! Fun! Educational!
Dear Educator:
I would like to take the time to introduce myself to you and to let you know that I am available to perform at your school and provide musical entertainment that is exciting, fun and educational.
For the past 20 years I have been and continue to tour the nation and worldwide as the lead guitarist, band leader, and the musical director for the popular rock singer Eddie Money. I have also played on many hit records for various artists. My passion for music started at a young age and I have been writing, playing music and performing professionally since the age of 9. My brother and sister and I had a group that performed at local schools, talent shows, store openings, and carnivals and even performed on national TV shows. I continued through high school performing in a band that played 4 nights a week at bars and concert halls in Southern California, eventually being one of the most popular bands in Hollywood in the early 80’s. We got a record deal and toured a bit, I then joined Eddie Money in the late 80’s. I also write music for television and my music is currently being played on shows like Ellen, Tyra, Extra, Fox Sports, Nat Geo, and many more.
I have two wonderful children, Talia and Tommy, ages 8 and 10. I have been doing performances with my guitar at their schools as they have grown through the grades. It has continued to grow and I have been asked to play at other schools as a result, in the Tampa area of Florida to entertain the kids. I love it and this is why I would like to offer to entertain at your school.
In my performances, I play some of the great, historic American folk songs in the spirit of the wonderful American folk singer and storyteller Pete Seeger. Songs like “Skip to my lou” which was a popular partner-stealing dance from America’s frontier period. Since instruments were frowned upon during this time, the dancers had to create their own music by clapping, stomping, and singing. The word “Lou” apparently came from the Scottish word love. You will also hear songs like, “Green grass grew all around”, “She'll be coming around the mountain”, “I knew an old lady”, and many more depending on the season. I make it a point, to keep the education aspect in the entertainment as well. I combine these traditional folk songs with songs from my latest recording; ”GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT”. Songs like “We Are the Worms” which takes us on a imaginary guided tour of the world under our feet, and “Dragonflies” which we take an imaginary tour around the world on a dragonfly’s back and we see landmarks from many countries. The flagship song from “GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT” is “When I Grow Up”. My kids co-wrote this one with me and my daughter sings the lead, and my son jumps in on the choruses. Kids and adults just love this song. “When I Grow Up” also represented Florida after winning every level up to the state level in the PTA’s “Reflections” contest. The Pediatric Cancer Foundation is considering using it in their next PSA as well. This song has a future for sure, and will keep growing in it’s popularity. Some schools have even set up fundraisers to sell “GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT”, and have used the proceeds to pay for school parties and events. I would look forward to discussing further my offer to entertain at your school. I have enclosed a flyer which highlights some of the Folk Songs that I do sing. This is but a small sample of 100s of songs that I can perform for the children. I believe integrating music with education at an early age encourages a child’s development and an appreciation for the cultural arts. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me about times, locations, rates, and availability as well as the fundraiser opportunity. Sincerely,
For example, around Memorial Day, I’ll explain that we celebrate Memorial Day on the last Monday of May, and it originally honored the people who were killed in the American Civil War way back in 1865 (144 years ago!), but has become a day on which the Americans who gave their lives in all wars are honored. Along with Flag Day, this is a day in which we fly our flag. Songs: “When Johnny Comes Marching Home”, “You’re a Grand Old Flag”, “This Land is Your Land”… The majority of the songs I will perform have a wonderful, and most of the time educational story. I have to say however that some of the sing-along songs are just flat out fun!
Current Event Schedule for Mr. Tommy