TOM FAIR (US)
At the moment, my band is me. I've founded some awesome bands in the past: Benn Gunn, Eightballs, and Homemade Jam (HMJ). But let's just at this time call it Dynamic Productions, which is me.
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
Songwriter for pop vocal group The Left Banke, 1966-1968
Studio musician for Left Banke, 1967 -1968
Co-publishing with United Artists Music, 1967-1969
Freelance songwriter 1969-1971
Founded Eightballs 1972-1974
Signed as songwriter-performer to Cashwest Production 1975
Released own single "Mr. Record Man," 1977
Sold mailorder cassette album "Big Kids" 1982
Founded Tom Fair School of Music in LA, 1991
Produced & Recorded 3 solo albums 1994-5
album titles: "Lead The Way," "Never Too Late," "At The Library"
Produced "Outta My Head" for Larry Gorman and
"Breakin' Out" for Boomer circa 2000
Founded HMJ in LA, 2004
East meets West, duo with Lauren Perreau 2008-present
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
Currently, I host an acoustic jam the first Saturday of every month at the Oh Happy Days Natural Food Store on upper Lake Avenue in Altadena, CA. I initiated it to put some life into my local community - and yes, I like it because it brings happy moments to the local residents who frequent the store.
My favorite moments are when everyone in the store puts down their eating utensils and sings along on songs like "Wimoweh," or "Down On the Corner." Or when Peter Kalmus showed up with his mandolin and we did an impromptu version of "The Wabash Cannonball."
Although I rock with the best, I also love American folk music, and I love it when everyone gets a chance to participate.
Your musical influences
Too many, but here's a sample: J.S. Bach. W.A. Mozart, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Gene Autry, Chuck Berry, Dion DiMucci, Roy Hamilton, Bobby Darin, Roy Orbison, Ray Charles, The Drifters, Gene Pitney, Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer, Irving Berlin, Leiber & Stoller, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, The Stones, The KInks, Bob Dylan, Bob Seger, Huey Lewis, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Roy Acuff, George Jones... you get the picture.
What equipment do you use?
Fender Strats and Yamaha acoustic guitar. I don't own much equipment. I have an old Marshall amp and I couldn't even tell you the model, but it's not a stack. I think every performing venue should have a top-quality backline so musicians could just bring their instruments and plug in.
Anything else?
Music is a powerful tool. It can effect social change and lift or depress the spirits of the listeners. It should be used responsibly.
