Buddy Guy’s Farewell Tour 2023
Beginning February 11th, Buddy Guy & The Damn Right Blues Band begin the Farewell Tour. Tom will be playing drums with Buddy, and he will also be special guest opener on select dates. See the current tourdates below, and check the TOUR page for all upcoming Tom Hambridge tour dates.
Tom Hambridge racks up several more awards at the Blues Music Awards in Memphis
On May 5th 2022 at the 43rd Annual Blues Music Awards in Memphis TN, Tom Hambridge had a big night. For his production & songwriting contributions to 7 nominations, plus his nomination for Drummer of the Year, he walks away with 4 awards.
Selwyn Birchwood won for Song of the Year. Tommy Castro won for Album of the Year. Kingfish won for Contemporary Blues Album of the Year. All of these albums were produced and/or cowritten by Tom. And ultimately, Tom won the award for Drummer of the Year. Congrats to all the nominees & winners!
Tom Racks up 10 Nominations at this year’s BMA’s
Tom would like to extend a big thanks to The Blues Foundation for all the nominations at this year’s 43rd Blues Music Awards, to be held in Memphis in May.
Tom produced 3 of the 5 albums up for Contemporary Blues Album of the year, 3 of the 5 up for Song of the Year, 2 of the 5 up for Album of the Year, and nominations for Drummer of the year and Song Of The Year. It’s a thrill for Tom to be recognized alongside so many musicians he respects and admires.
Congrats to ALL the nominees!
Lynyrd Skynyrd releases “Last of the Street Survivors.”
Lynyrd Skynyrd just unveiled their new song, ‘Last Of The Street Survivors’ on social media. “As promised, here’s a little gift from our Skynyrd family to yours,” the band declared. “We want thank everyone for making this possible. Stay safe and God bless.”
Singer Johnny Van Zant penned the song alongside guitarist Rickey Medlocke, Grammy Award-winning songwriter Tom Hambridge and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s last remaining original member and co-founder, guitarist Gary Rossington.
To stream or download the song, click on the picture below:
2020 Tour Dates: Off & Runnin’!!
The 2020 tour dates are filling up the calendar faster than a speeding bullet! Tom will be starting off with the month-long residency at Buddy Guy’s Legends Club in Chicago beginning on January 2nd. Tom will be playing with Buddy and will perform with his band on January 18th, as well as sitting in with several special guests…and you never know who’s gonna show up!! The rest of the winter & spring are also in full swing. For tickets and info, check out the TOUR DATES page.
BUDDY GUY RECOMMENDS ‘THE NOLA SESSIONS’
TOM HITS THE ROAD WITH BUDDY GUY AND SPECIAL GUESTS TO HONOR JIMI HENDRIX
Beginning Tuesday October 1st, Tom joins Buddy Guy and a list of who’s who on the Experience Hendrix Tour. The tour celebrates the music & legacy of Jimi Hendrix and begins in Jimi’s hometown of Seattle.
To see the full schedule click below:
YOU CAN NOW VOTE FOR TOM IN THE 2019 BLUES BLAST MUSIC AWARDS
Tom has been nominated at this year’s Blues Blast Music Awards, and you can now cast your vote! CLICK HERE to vote in the Contemporary Blues Album category for his latest album ‘The NOLA Sessions’. Voting runs through August 16th, so make your vote count today!! The BBMA will be held on September 13th at the Tebala Event Center in Rockford, IL.
THE NOLA SESSIONS WINS NUMBER ONE BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR!
The NOLA Sessions has been named the #1 BLUES Album of the year by The Independent Music Awards.
CONGRATS to Tom Hambridge (Producer, Artist, Songwriter and Musician) on this honor, and we extend our appreciation to the musicians on the LP from Sonny Landreth to Ivan Neville, the Late great Allen Toussaint, Kevin McKendree, Rob McNelley, Tommy MacDonald, Shane Theriot, John Fohl, Calvin Turner Jr., the Naughty Horns, Wendy Moten, David Torkanowsky, Max Morin, SaRachel Hambridge, Nathaniel Smith, The McCrary Sisters, Matt Grondin and everyone at The Parlor Recording Studio, Betsie Brown, graphic genius Chris Baron and our social media angel, Christine Bode, the engineers at the Parlor and Blackbird Studio, and Michael Saint-Leon at The Switchyard Recording Studio. A huge special thanks also goes out to all of Tom’s Fans & supporters!
Co-writers include Jeffrey Steele, Gary Nicholson, Bobby Whitlock and Tom’s longtime collaborator, Richard Fleming. John L. Heithaus served as executive producer.
Judged by a group of illustrious musicians from Tom Waits to Todd Rundgren to Lee Ann Womack, the IMA reviews thousands of submissions worldwide.
THE SUMMER TOUR ROLLS ON…
Tom is currently out on tour playing drums with Buddy Guy throught the summer. Check the TOUR DATE section for tickets and info for all upcoming shows
And The Winner Is…………..
Congratulations to Tom Hambridge & Buddy Guy for another win at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles on Sunday February 10 2019! This makes 3 total Grammy wins on their collaborations together over the last 10 years! The win is for Best Traditional Blues Album for “The Blues Is Alive And Well”. Tom & Buddy accepted the award together with honor, giving thanks to the Recording Academy, RCA Records, the special musical guests, and to everyone involved with making the album a huge success!
The NOLA Sessions Topping the Charts!
This week on The Roots Music Report’s charts, Tom’s latest album The Nola Sessions hit #1 on the Tennessee Albums Chart, Contemporary Blues Chart, reached #2 on the Blues Chart (Buddy Guy’s “The Blues Is Alive And Well” reached #1) and had a massive 8 songs on the Tennessee Song Chart, 6 songs on the Contemporary Blues Song Chart, and 4 songs on the Blues Song Chart! The past few weeks have been amazing! Thanks to all of the radio support and special thanks to all of Tom’s fans and listeners!
Tom On The Road with Buddy Guy!
This summer, Tom will be playing drums with Buddy Guy on the “Blues Is Alive And Well” World Tour. Check out Buddy’s tour dates below:
“The NOLA Sessions” on Vinyl! Preorder now!
Tom’s latest chart-topping album, ‘The NOLA Sessions’, will be available on vinyl. If you’d like to preorder the vinyl version, CLICK HERE. The goal of 100 copies will be pressed with 100 preorders. If we do not reach the goal of 100 preorders, you will not be charged….but the albums will not be pressed. So reserve your copy of ‘The NOLA Sessions’ on vinyl now!
Buddy Guy’s ‘The Blues Is Alive And Well’ is available now!
Buddy Guy’s latest album is now available. And once again Buddy joined forces with Tom to make an album that will stand the test of time! Tom produced, wrote & performed on the album which also includes guests Jeff Beck, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards & James Bay. The album is available everywhere. Get your copy now!
Tom and The Rattlesnakes join the ‘Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea V’ in February 2019!
Tom Hambridge & The Rattlesnakes will be joining Joe Bonamassa’s anuual Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea cruise February 25 through March 1st. This is Tom’s first voyage on the Bonamassa cruise. Other acts include Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Walter Trout, Ruthie Foster, The Devon Allman Project (with Duane Betts) and of course Joe Bonamassa! Make your reservations today by CLICKING HERE
Tom & the Rattlesnakes to join Lynyrd Skynyrd on their Last Of The Street Survivors Farewell Tour!!
This coming July, Tom Hambridge & The Rattlesnakes will be joining Lynyrd Skynyrd on their Last Of The Street Survivors Farewell Tour. Tom & the band were asked personally by members of Lynyrd Skynyrd to join them for a few select dates. See Tom’s tour schedule on the Tour Page for more info. You can also go to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s website for tickets and info.
Devon Allman’s ‘Ride Or Die’ Debuts at Number 1!
Devon Allman’s newest release ‘Ride Or Die’ hits the Billboard blues chart today at Number 1. The new album was produced by Tom, who also played drums on the album. Congrats to Devon & his record label Ruf records!
New VAN ZANT LIVE Album includes 4 Tom Hambridge Tunes
The new Van Zant album ‘Red, White & Blue – Live’ is due out this month & will include 4 of Tom’s songs: Sweet Mama, Things I Miss The Most, I Know My History & My Kind Of Country. The album was recorded during their only tour together as a country duo back in 2006.
Tom Heads To Europe with Buddy Guy & Quinn Sullivan
Tom will be on tour in Europe beginning this Thursday, June 30th to perform several dates with Buddy Guy & Quinn Sullivan. Check out the show schedule below:
6/24/16
New FOGHAT Album is Released Today!
Foghat’s latest album ‘Under The Influence’ was released today. The album was produced by Tom and includes several of Tom’s songs, as well as a newly updated & rockin’ version of their smash 70’s hit song, “Slow Ride”. The album is available for download on iTunes. CDs can be purchased at AMAZON.
5/30/16
1st Annual Tom Hambridge Americana Music Festival To Be Held June 25th in Buffalo NY
The Sportsmens Americana Music Foundation in Buffalo NY presents the 1st Annual Tom Hambridge Americana Music Festival will be held on Saturday June 25th in Riverside Park at 2607 Niagara Street. The lineup features Tom Hambridge & the Rattlesnakes & will include Commander Cody Band, Bill Kirchen & Too Much Fun, the Willies and Ten Cent Howl. The festival will begin at 3pm. Tom will perform at 9pm. Tickets can be purchased by clicking on the festival poster below.
5/26/16
New Foghat Album to be released in June
Foghat’s soon-to-be-released album, “Under The Influence” is due out on June 24th. The album was produced by Tom, who also wrote several of the songs for the album. The album will also include a newly recorded version of their classic smash hit ‘Slow Ride’. To get a sneak peak of the first single ‘Hot Mama’, CLICK HERE
2/16/16
BUDDY GUY & TOM HAMBRIDGE WIN ANOTHER GRAMMY
The 58th Annual Grammy Awards took place last night at The Staples Center in Los Angeles. Buddy Guy’s “Born To Play Guitar” album, produced by Tom, was nominated for Best Blues Album & won in their category. This is Buddy’s 7th Grammy win (2 with Tom producing), and Tom’s 2nd Grammy win. Overall, there has been 3 Grammy nominations for Tom’s work with Buddy Guy (Skin Deep 2009, Living Proof 2010 & Born to Play Guitar 2015) and 2 Grammy wins (Living Proof 2011 & Born To Play Guitar 2016).
Buddy Guy & Tom Hambridge accepting the Grammy Award for Best Blues Album (Born To Play Guitar) at last night’s 58th Annual Grammy Awards Ceremony in Los Angeles
The Tom Hambridge/Buddy Guy collaborations over the past 10 years proves to be a strong working relationship between the two, and expresses their commitment and dedication to keeping the blues alive.
8/19/15
“Buddy Guy – Born To Play Guitar” is Released!!
Buddy Guy’s latest RCA album “Born To Play Guitar” was officially released on July 29th, Buddy’s birthday. The album, produced by Tom Hambridge, also includes songs written/cowritten by Tom as well as playing drums, percussion & singing background vocals on the album. Born To Play Guitar spent the first week at number 1 for the best selling album on Amazon.com, and was #1 last week on Billboard’s Blues Chart. It debuted on the Hot 200 chart at Number 60.
7/16/15
FROM THE ROLLING STONES SHOW IN MILWAUKEE:
Just before The Stones hit the stage – Tom along with Mr. Buddy Guy, Rolling Stones’ Keyboardist Chuck Leavell & Buddy Guy Keyboardist Marty Sammon
6/25/15
BREAKING NEWS:
LEGENDARY AWARD-WINNING BLUES ICON BUDDY GUY TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM “BORN TO PLAY GUITAR” ON JULY 31
[New York, NY – June 11, 2015] Buddy Guy, the legendary award winning blues icon, will release his brand new studio album Born To Play Guitar on July 31st via RCA Records. The follow-up to his 2013 double disc release, Rhythm & Blues, which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Blues Albums chart, Born To Play Guitar is produced by Grammy Award winning producer/songwriter and Buddy’s longtime collaborator Tom Hambridge.
6/24/15
Tom joins Buddy Guy onstage at the Marcus Amphitheater in Milwaukee!
Tom had the pleasure of sitting in last night with Buddy Guy at The Rolling Stones’ SummerFest concert in Milwaukee WI.
10/30/14
And The Winners Are…
The 2014 Blues Blast Music Awards were last week and two (2) of the albums Tom produced were winners (Buddy Guy’s ‘Rhythm & Blues’ in the Traditional Blues album category, and James Cotton’s ‘Cotton Mouth Man’ in the Soul Blues album Category) and Tom & Robert Randolph were winners with Song of the Year ‘Meet Me in Chicago’! Congratulations to Tom for once again being recognized for all of the great work he does with these great artists & songwriters. And a huge congratulations to all of the winners & nominees in this year’s Blues Blast Awards!
Here’s the list of winners below:
Contemporary Blues Album: Buddy Guy – Rhythm & Blues
Traditional Blues Album: …James Cotton – Cotton Mouth Man
Soul Blues Album: Bobby Rush with Blind Dog Smokin’ – Decisions
Rock Blues Album; Tommy Castro And The Painkillers – The Devil You Know
Acoustic Blues Album: Mark T Small – Smokin’ Blues
New Artist Debut Album: Shawn Holt And The Teardrops – Daddy Told Me
Blues DVD Recording: Royal Southern Brotherhood – Songs From the Road
Song Of The Year: “Meet Me In Chicago” by Tom Hambridge and Robert Randolph – Rhythm & Blues (Buddy Guy)
Blues Band: The Tedeschi Trucks Band
Male Blues Artist: Buddy Guy
Female Blues Artist: Beth Hart
Sean Costello Rising Star Award: Lisa Mann
9/24/14
J.W. Jones about to break out south of the border
JULIE OLIVER / Ottawa Citizen
With a hot new album about to drop on a renowned blues label and an ambitious American tour booked this fall, Ottawa guitarslinger J.W. Jones is poised to seek greater fame and fortune south of the border.
Of course, the dapper 34-year-old is no stranger to Canadian blues fans. A talented guitarist and sharp-dressed bandleader, Jones has spent the better part of 15 years touring and recording. Over seven albums, he’s been nominated for Maple Blues Awards, and collaborated with legends like Kim Wilson, Hubert Sumlin, Little Charlie Baty and Junior Watson.
But on the new album, Belmont Boulevard, Jones has never sounded better. Recorded in Nashville with Grammy-winning producer Tom Hambridge at the helm, the songs are snappy, the guitar work sizzles and there’s a raw energy that captures the immediacy of Jones’ live show. According to Jones, the rough mixes were what grabbed the attention of the venerable blues and roots label, Blind Pig Records, based in San Francisco.
“I sent it to a few labels, and they bit right away,” says Jones, who manages his own career. “I was blown away. I sent an email not expecting a response, and they wrote back right away: ‘we love it, we want it, let’s talk.’”
On Belmont Boulevard, Jones set out to challenge himself, starting with handing over the production duties. “Usually I produce myself and you know what happens,” he says. “You start getting married to your own ideas. The goal was to work with a big producer and have him basically push me out of my comfort zone. It was totally an eye-opening experience.”
Jones first met Hambridge in the lobby of a Memphis hotel during the Blues Music Awards. They were introduced by George Thorogood’s drummer. Later on, Jones realized that Hambridge’s credits included Buddy Guy, Susan Tedeschi and Thorogood, and that he’d written songs for the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Delbert McClinton. He felt he’d found his ‘big’ producer.
Recording at Hambridge’s studio in Nashville marked Jones’ first visit to the Tennessee music capital. It was a dramatically different experience than his past ventures into a studio.
“In the past, the studio to me was: You go in and have every song completely arranged beginning to end. You play the song two or three times, and that’s it, you move on to the next song,” Jones says. With Hambridge, they jammed out riffs and let some of the songs come together on the spot. Hambridge helped out with songwriting, and suggested material that Jones wouldn’t have considered. One example is the soulful rootsy-pop sound of If It Feels This Good Tomorrow.
Is it a sign of a new direction for the fiery guitarist? Possibly. A lifelong fan of blues from the 50s and 60s, Jones says his music will always be based on his beloved genre. But the new album takes a more contemporary approach to the style. “That’s a direction I like because it’s easier to rope in people who don’t listen to traditional blues,” he says. “It’s songs with a melody and chorus or repeating guitar riff that make it catchy. People love catchy songs.”
With Belmont Boulevard set for release in Canada on Oct. 7 (as an import on Stony Plain Records/Warner Music Canada) and in the U.S. on Oct. 14, Jones is gearing up for a tour that will take him (along with band members Laura Greenberg and Jamie Holmes) from Western Canada down the coast to California, across to Texas and on to Florida. It’s a long haul, but for him, travelling is the best part of a musician’s life. Jones logs about 100 shows a year, including a yearly excursion to Europe.
“In terms of staying grounded, that’s the best way because it’s a reality check on a daily basis,” Jones says. “Sometimes you play to packed houses and sometimes you have to build an audience. It takes time but I love it. Making a CD is really fun but the live show is my favourite thing. That’s where the magic happens for me.”
4/12/14
James Cotton receives Mississippi Arts Commission Governor’s Arts Award
Congratulations to JAMES COTTON on his recent Award from the Mississippi Arts Commission!
3/17/14
Tom Hambridge & The Rattlesnakes to perform on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Simple Man Cruise in 2014!
Tom and the band will be back on the simple Man Cruise this coming November! You can now join the pre-sale to secure a spot on the cruise. See the latest press release below:
1/29/14
New Tom Hambridge CD is Released
Tom has just released his 7th CD, aptly titled “Tom Hambridge”. The CD is a collection of new & live material, fan favorites, and also features the Tom Hambridge/Susan Tedeschi duet “Opposites Attract”. The CD will be available directly through this website very soon so check back often to get your CD! Tom introduced his new CD on Delbert McClinton’s Sandy Beaches Cruise last week, and many of these happy fans who have purchased advanced copies were inquiring about musician credits that weren’t included on the CD. So we thought we’d post the credits here:
OPPOSITES ATTRACT (featuring Susan Tedeschi) (Hambridge) – Tom Hambridge: Drums, Vocals – Susan Tedeschi: Vocals – Mike Welch: Guitar – Milt Reder: Guitar – Tom West: Clavinet – Brad Hallen: Bass
Published by Tom Hambridge Tunes (ASCAP)
STRONG ENOUGH (Hambridge) – Tom Hambridge: Drums, Tambourine, Vocals – Billy Loosigian: Guitar – Rick Harris: Guitar – Brad Hallen: Bass
Published by Tom Hambridge Tunes (ASCAP)
I GOT YOUR COUNTRY RIGHT HERE (Hambridge, Steele) – Tom Hambridge: Drums, Vocals, Percussion – Kenny Greenburg: Electric Guitar – Billy Panda: Acoustic Guitar – Tony Harrel: Keyboards – Michael Rhodes: Bass
Published by EMI April Music/Sarachel Songs (ASCAP), Jeffrey Steele Music (BMI)
NINETEEN(Hambridge, Nicholson, Steele) – Tom Hambridge: Drums, Vocals – Jeff King: Electric Guitar – Brian Love: Electric Guitar, Backing vocals – Gary Burnett: Acoustic Guitar – Russ Pahl: Pedal Steele – Tommy MacDonald: Bass – Tony Harrell: Keyboards
Published by Tom Hambridge Tunes (ASCAP), Gary Nicholson Music (ASCAP), Jeffrey Steele Music (BMI)
ROCK ME RIGHT (Hambridge) – Tom Hambridge: Drums, Vocals, Wurlitzer Piano, Tambourine – Mike Welch: Guitars, Backing Vocals – Ducky Carlisle: Guitar – Brad Hallen: Bass
Published by Tom Hambridge Tunes
I KEEP THINGS (Hambridge) – Tom Hambridge: Drums, Tambourine, Vocals – Rob McNelley: Guitar – Tommy MacDonald: Bass – Kevin McKendree: Keyboards
Published by Tom Hambridge Tunes
UPSIDE OF LONELY(Hambridge, Nicholson, Thackery) – Tom Hambridge: Drums, Vocals – Rob McNelley: Guitar – Tommy MacDonald: Bass
Published by Tom Hambridge Tunes (ASCAP), Gary Nicholson Music ((ASCAP), Jimmy Thackery (BMI)
GOOD TEACHER(Hambridge, Daly, Van Zant, Van Zant) – Tom Hambridge: Drums, Percussion, Vocals – Jeff King: Electric Guitar – Reese Wynans: B3 Organ – Steve Bryant: Bass
Published by EMI April Music/Sarachel Songs (ASCAP), Daly Groove Music (BMI), L&K Music (BMI), Shantytown Music (BMI)
THINGS I MISS THE MOST (Hambridge, Steele, Van Zant, Van Zant) – Tom Hambridge: Drums, Percussion, vocals – Rob McNelley: Electric Guitar – Steve Cirkvencic: Slide Guitar –Tommy MacDonald: Bass
Published by Tom Hambridge Tunes (ASCAP), Jeffrey Steele Music (BMI), L&K Music (BMI), Shantytown Music (BMI)
RACHEL FAY(Hambridge) – Tom Hambridge: Drums, Tambourine, Vocals – Mike Welch: Guitars – Brad Hallen: Bass
Published by Tom Hambridge Tunes (ASCAP)
SHOEBOX (Hambridge, Steele) – Tom Hambridge: Drums, Vocals – Pat McGrath: Acoustic Guitar – Dan Dugmore: Lap Steel – Steve Hinson: Pedal Steel – Tony Harrel: Keyboards – Tommy MacDonald: Bass
Published by EMI April Music/Sarachel Songs (ASCAP), Jeffrey Steele Music (BMI)
I HAD A REAL GOOD TIME (Hambridge, McClinton, Anderson, Nicholson) – Tom Hambridge: Drums, Vocals – Rob McNelley: Electric Guitar – Michael Saint-Leon: Electric Guitar – Kevin McKendree: Piano – Tommy MacDonald: Bass
Published by Tom Hambridge Tunes (ASCAP), Nasty Cat Music/Delbert McClinton Publishing (BMI), Cash Box Music (BMI), Gary Nicholson Music (ASCAP)
PEACE & HARMONY (Bonus Track) (Hambridge, Fleming) – Tom Hambridge: Drums, Percussion, Vocals – Rob McNelley: Guitars – Kevin McKendree: Piano, B3 Organ – Tommy MacDonald: Bass
Published by Tom Hambridge Tunes (ASCAP), Richard Fleming Music (BMI)
SHOT GLASS (Live) (Hambridge, Steele) – Tom Hambridge: Vocals – Sal Baglio: Guitar – Brian Love: Guitar, Backing Vocals – Tommy MacDonald: Bass – Kevin Rapillo: Drums
Published by Tom Hambridge Tunes (ASCAP), Gottahavable Music (BMI)
1/6/14
So Long to a Great 2013 & Welcome 2014!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!! To say 2013 has been a whirlwind of incredible accomplishments for Tom Hambridge is pretty much right! 2013 has seen Tom in the studio with the likes of James Cotton, Buddy Guy, Joe Louis Walker, along with incredible musicians such as Gregg Allman, Keb Mo’, Kid Rock, Aerosmith members Joe Perry, Brad Whitford & Steven Tyler, Keith Urban & Quinn Sullivan just to name a few. The year also saw Tom once again being nominated for a Grammy for James Cotton’s CD “Cotton Mouth Man”. Tom also had the rare pleasure to perform at the White House Twice! Tom also spent a good portion of 2013 on the road performing with Quinn Sullivan, Buddy Guy, Delbert McClinton and in his own right as a solo artist. This year, 2014, promises to be another music-filled calendar for Tom. Along with his upcoming performances on Delbert McClinton’s SBC20 Cruise, you’ll see Tom bringing his special concert to Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg WV on January 31st. Tom will also be attending the Grammy Awards show this month, and will perform a special set at Buddy Guy’s Legends Club in Chicago. for more info on all of Tom’s upcoming live dates, check out his tour page! And check back often for more upcoming news.
10/9/13
Interview with Tom Hambridge in Chicago Blues
Tom Hambridge Brings Quality and Love To Everything He Does – By Barry Kerzner – September 30, 2013
Tom Hambridge is like “Savoir-Faire” — He’s everywhere. He might be out on the road touring and/or recording with the likes of Boston, James Taylor, Delbert McClinton, Buddy Guy, James Cotton, and Joe Louis Walker. While he is doing that, he might also be busy writing material for Eric Burdon of The Animals, Buddy Guy, ZZ Top, Billy Ray Cyrus, George Thorogood, Eden Brent, Guitar Shorty, or Gretchen Wilson. When Hambridge is not busy recording and touring, he’s producing albums for everyone from Buddy Guy and Joe Louis Walker, to Johnny Winter, George Thorogood, and James Cotton.
In 2008, he earned a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Blues Album for his work on Buddy Guy’s Skin Deep. In 2011, he won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album for co-writing and producing Buddy Guy’s stellar Living Proof. In February of this year, he appeared with Buddy Guy at the White House to celebrate an evening of blues with President Obama.
ChicagoBlues.com was extremely fortunate to spend time with Hambridge recently as he talked about recording, producing, writing material for artists, and working with Buddy Guy.
The new Buddy Guy is a killer album. It’s a really well-rounded album! It’s varied; the different textures, and the sound. It’s not the same thing for two full discs. The fans are wondering if you would talk a little about it?
There’s a perfect example of (how) we had all the songs. Right before we went in, I was so nervous because I just wanted to have the the best thing to process. So I just stayed up all night for a week and wrote a couple of other new ones. Buddy was like, ‘We’ve got all the songs. I’ve got everything on there I love.’ So we worked our asses off and we just kept hitting it. Then, even when we had it done, it was Junior’s (Wells) birthday.
We were in the studio and I said ‘We’re done. We’ve got more than enough. We’ve got enough for two albums. You don’t fly back until tonight. I was wondering. What if we do something for Junior?’ Buddy asked what, and I said ‘Messing With The Kid.’ He said, ‘That would be fun.’ We went in and recorded it, one take. Buddy said ‘You know what would be great? Kid Rock’s always wanted to sing with me on something.’
So we were done and I called him (Buddy) and said ‘We’ve got everything, and we’ve covered so ground. We’ve covered all of it; the rhythm and the blues. We covered it all on this record. What do you think about having it be two discs, a rhythm record and a blues record?’ He asked how we were going to to do and I told him to let me work on it. Let me think about it. I called the record company and they said ‘Are you kidding me? That would be great.’ First they wanted me to send them some examples. After listening to what I sent, they said, ‘Sounds great to us.’ So, that’s how that worked out.
What is it like for you, given your particular skill set as a drummer, composer, and producer, when you are out on the road playing with an artist?
Well, I do a lot of different things, as you can tell, but I enjoy all of them! There are times when I’m out with Buddy Guy, and I might be opening for him, then sitting in with him during his show, and riding on the bus and working on songs with him. (I might be) rehearsing with the band at soundcheck, doing songs off the new album. I love it all, and I love being out there on the road, hearing the songs and playing. For a while, I might go out and play drums for Susan Tedseschi, or Hank Williams Jr., or some big band. I might go out and tour, and do that.
I stopped doing that a while ago, [pauses for a moment thinking back] many years ago, when I myself got a record deal. Also, everybody started coming to me to produce their albums, and write their songs. So, I would work on a record with Johnny Winter or something, and then, as opposed to going out a month after I finished that to do my own thing, I would start working with George Thorogood on a record. Then [smiles to himself in amusement], instead of going out after that record was done, I would start writing songs for the new Buddy Guy record. So, it just got busier and busier. Nowadays when I am out on tour, I really try to soak it all in and enjoy it, because usually, I’m the guy behind the scenes.
I’m the guy that’s in the studio, setting every last piece, playing on the record, singing on them, trying to get them correct, mixing it, mastering it, getting the artwork done; getting it all out. Then, everyone goes out and enjoys it. They’re out on the road and the reviews are coming in, and they’re great. They’re playing in front of thousands and thousands of people, and they are hearing the songs, and a lot of times, I’m not there for that, because I’m working on another album.” Hambridge enthusiastically adds, “I do love it when Buddy, George Thorogood, and Lynyrd Skynyrd (people like that) call me and say ‘Come on out and play with us. Open some shows. Travel (with us), ’cause you’ve got to hear your songs; you’ve got to hear how the reception is.’ It’s beautiful, and I really do enjoy that, and I thank them for asking me to come out.
When you are onstage playing with say, Buddy Guy, does the fact that you have mixed records, mastered and produced records, influence the way you play within the context of playing with a band live?
There’s different ways to play. That’s why there are certain people who can be recorded well. There’s certain ways to record in the studio.” Hambridge pauses here to really try to find just the right words to explain what he wants to say convey here, and then continues. “There are live performers, live musicians, and there are studio musicians. Some do both. (With) some studio musicians, you see them live and they’re not as exciting. Some live musicians you get in the studio and you can’t really get a good track. I kind of grew up in the studio and live. So, I think when I am playing live, I approach it a little differently than I would in the studio. It all comes down to playing the song. I think the greatest players are the ones that are thinking about the song the whole time. That’s what you should be thinking about.
Whether you’re in the studio, or playing live, you’re trying to deliver a performance of a piece of music. So, never lose that. Never, never lose yourself in ‘I’m gonna play stuff because it will make me look good, make me shine; make people notice me.’ That’s not why you’re playing. You’re playing to perform a song, and get that song across. If it needs you to play loud, to play fast, then you play loud and you play fast. If loud and fast is not gonna put the song across then you shouldn’t. Also, a lot of the time, I’m playing songs that I actually recorded on. So, I might be a little more in tune with what exactly is going on in the song.
In the studio, you have a fixed result that you are trying to achieve, whereas playing live is a little “looser”?
In the studio, you have to get it right, exactly. There’s no room for error. You have to get it right when it’s being recorded. You have to get to it quick, and you have to play almost flawlessly. You have to get to it. Then you have to create it. There’s no part before anything. When you’re going in, recording the song for the fist time, there’s no part yet. There’s no bass part, there’s no guitar part, there’s no drum part. You are creating it! You have to be as musical as possible, get it done as efficiently as possible, get it done as creatively as possible, and get it done with everybody doing it at the same time, and not be the one that keeps making the mistake.
So, all that stuff goes into recording, and it’s amazing when it comes together with a group of amazing musicians. Also, making the artists shine. Your whole point is to back up an artist, or make the song shine. So, there’s no room for error.
The studio is a more exacting process.
Yeah, right down to your sound. It would be as simple as saying somebody who loves their bass rig, but there’s a buzz in it. There’s this buzz, and you can’t have that buzz. I’m not talking about a fuzz tone, I’m talking about an electrical something. So you go ‘What is that sound?’ and the reply is ‘Oh that always happens with my bass rig.’ Well, you can’t have it on the record. Just from coming in, from that moment, you have to have your gear exactly correct.
“Like, I might have ten different snare drums in the room. I might have to pick the right snare drum for this song. (Maybe) it’s a soul song. I might want more of a wood, bigger sounding, less snare and more thud. I know this. It’s all the delicate things you have to do to be creative in the studio. Um, your pedals can’t be squeaking.
Hambridge is laughing now, and continues. “Just stupid stuff! You have to have your stuff together. We’re kind of getting deep into this studio thing, but …” Hambridge pauses for a moment and then picks up again. “If I’m asking a guitar player for a certain part, I have to know that he’s capable of doing that. That I’m not asking him to do something that’s not in his wheelhouse, you know? So I need guys that can play all different ways, quickly, and creatively. For your readers that are listening, I’m not trying to say that session guys are better – they’re different. Sometimes you need to have guys that can do a certain thing.
I’ve seen some session guys get on stage, and there’s an audience, and you have to put on a show, and they’re just standing there. I’m thinking ‘That’s not really working.’ Then too, I’ve seen some live guys get in the studio, and they’re twisting and turning but there is no groove down. In the playback you think ‘The time is all over the place here. That doesn’t work. We have to reign that in.’
Buddy Guy has described you as ‘The White Willie Dixon,’ and you have also been described as ‘Susan Tedeschi’s secret weapon.’ How does it feel to be described that way by your peers, and you idols as well?
It’s humbling! Very humbling, and I think what I try to do is not get caught up in that so much. I appreciate it. I’m honored that they say that. I still gotta make another record tomorrow, you know? I’ve got to keep putting one foot in front of the other and try to …” After brief consideration, Hambridge finishes the thought. “I don’t want to say ‘(try) to live up to it,’ but try to make the best records I can. When people hear ‘em and they go ‘Man!’ and say stuff like that, it does my heart good for the moment, and I feel blessed, and I try to just keep working hard. You know, just do good work. Basically, what I’d love is nothing more than to have 20, 30, 40 years from now look back on some of the body of work that I’ve done and go, ‘Wow, that guy did some good work.’ That’s all.
One reason that people say the things they say about you is that you are so versatile! You can write for Billy Ray Cyrus and Marcia Ball, then turn around and write for George Thorogood and Buddy Guy. You even wrote for Guitar Shorty, and then maybe go write for Gretchen Wilson. It’s all different genres and styles of music. You know it’s going to come across differently, and get played differently, yet you still produce that same level of quality work. As far as that whole writing process, is it hard for you to bounce around all the different styles of music?
I think it’s OK for me. I love all kinds of music. I don’t really sit around and say ‘I’m a blues guy, and I can only use three chords, and I only sit around and listen to Muddy Waters all day, and that’s it.’ I live and breathe it. I grew up listening to everything from The Beatles to The Stones, to Led Zeppelin, to Muddy Waters, Ray Charles, to whoever. Lynyrd Skynyrd. So when people come to me, and they say ‘Hey we want to work with you,’ say ZZ Top or something. I love ZZ Top! I grew up listening to ZZ Top. So I might want to write songs and work on stuff of the period that I like from ZZ Top.
So I’ll immediately think of Trés Hombres, or the first couple of records. A lot of times when I’m working with an artist, they’ll say, ‘How do you create that?’ I get into the headspace of that artist. As a fan, what would I want to hear Lynyrd Skynyrd doing? I get right to it. I want to hear Eric Burdon sing this, and sing itin this octave, where’s he’s just yelling! I want to hear George Thorogood sing like this. I want to hear Buddy Guy sing this, and sound like this, completely raw and over the top. So, my juices start flowing. It can be a country artist, it can be Meatloaf. Gretchen Wilson, you know?
When I wrote “I Got Your Country Right Here,” I didn’t write that for Gretchen Wilson. That’s an instance where she heard it and went ‘Man, I could sing the crap out of that! That’s what I feel.’ So, sometimes, it just happens like that.
The records you have worked on recently are doing really well.
I think the big thing is putting in time. I guess one of the reasons the records are doing well is because you can tell there’s a lot of labor involved, and a lot of love involved in it.”
There’s a blues revival going on now. There’s a lot of young artists that want to get involved in that. What advice would you give them on how to bring the blues to a new, younger audience, and being successful at the same time?
That’s tough! The blues … I mean Buddy (Guy) always says ‘They don’t play the blues on the radio anymore.’
Well, a lot of these young artists are playing ‘blues-rock.’ They take the blues format, and they update it. Do you see other ways they could do it; keep it alive and bring it to a new generation?
Well, I mean, even like Stevie Ray Vaughan, or The Fabulous Thunderbirds. You take the blues to where you had to cross over somehow, to where program directors will play it. Stevie Ray Vaughan found a way to play ‘Pride and Joy,’ make it more ‘Hendrix-y,’ but it was a shuffle. He also did ‘Crossfire,’ and he did these other songs. He found a way to break over. I think that there’s so many things that go into a band breaking; a look, management, the record label, timing. So, I don’t know just a stone-cold blues band that’s playing … There’s got to be a reason for people to catch on to somebody.
There are so many variables involved in why somebody makes it. I think you should make the best record you can possibly make. I think you need to make it sound really good. To me, when I make a Buddy Guy record, I’m competing with all the records that came before. I’m not competing with a ‘Cook County Jail’ B.B. King record. I’m competing with that, and everything else that’s out. If I want it to sound all retro and analog, I make a song on the record like ‘Whiskey Ghost’ that sounds like that. I have to be able to do that with finesse. I have to be able to do that so it can compete with the Black Keys or Jack White, who whoever’s got a record out on the charts. I want it to sound great.
The record that we put out, people go ‘Are you kidding me? This sounds un-fucking-believable!’ I don’t take that lightly. I guess it gets down to the same thing I’m talking about song writing. Don’t write a stupid song. Really take your time! Really work hard on the craft, on the lyric, and the track. Everything has to sit right. The groove has to be right. The song has to right. It has to sound right. It has to be mixed right and mastered correctly. A bad mix can ruin a great song, for sure. I love music, I love creating it, and I love writing it, being around it, and I love listening to it. You know, I love everything about it.
So, I mean, you’ve got to have a passion for it, it’s got to be in your blood. It’s what I do, it’s what I love! So, I’m very blessed to be able to do what I love.
Are you working on your own album or are you going to put that off for a while?
You know something? [Laughs] Everybody asks me that. I am. What happens is, I get started on a record and then … or I think I’m gonna start a record and then I have to start another record for someone else. I’m saying this, I’m trying to commit to it. I am really going to take the time to make my own follow-up record to Boom! Everyone keeps wondering ‘When’s the follow-up to Boom! coming out?’ When I do my records, I like to just book and few days, just start tracking, and having some fun. I need to do that. I’ve just been too busy! So, I’m gonna get to it. Thank you for asking – I’m gonna get to it. I hope in the new year to have a new record out.
That would be nice. I know there’s a lot of people that are waiting that!
I know I have to do it. I’m ready to do it. It’s hard carving out time for all the wonderful opportunities.
Is there anything you would like to say to the fans out there?
Well, it’s an honor to work with Buddy Guy. I’m blessed to be able to work with my heroes, and he is truly one of them. We’ve had a wonderful relationship. With him, I think we are just scratching the surface. He’s getting better with age, and he’s so open to it all. He pushes himself as hard as anybody. He works harder than with (the) young artists I work with. He wanted to be great and he’ll stay ’till the end. He can be tired and jet-lagged, and he’ll still give you 120 percent. Those are the artists that I am so honored to be able to work with. There’s only one Buddy Guy!
That’s the dude.
Is there anyone you would really like to work with, playing and or producing?
Probably, Paul McCartney. It would be nice to do something with him. Heck, I get to work with everybody that I love. [Hambridge gets animated.] I’m ready for anybody. I’m excited about the future and being creative, and just making music. So, I don’t care. Bring them on! I just want to make music, you know? It could be someone unknown. Someone young, fresh, you know? I don’t care. I’m blessed I get to work with so many different people. So I’m looking forward to tomorrow
8/30/13
Five Albums On The Billboard Blues Chart!!!
Tom Hambridge has been called the Hottest Blues-Rock Producer, and keeps on getting hotter with Four Top Ten Albums.
He has indelibly left his mark on five albums that climbed the Billboard Blues Chart this summer, producing four albums, contributing songs to all five and performing on a number of the tracks as drummer and vocalist. It’s no wonder that Hambridge is considered one of the most sought after producers in the business today.
After debuting at number one and currently holding strong at the number two spot, is Buddy Guy’s critically acclaimed Rhythm & Blues, a double-disc blockbuster that Hambridge both produced and co-wrote eighteen of the album’s twenty-one songs. Rhythm & Blues features special guests including: Keith Urban, Kid Rock, Gary Clark, Jr. Steven Tyler and Joe Perry from Aerosmith. Hambridge worked directly with each of these world-class performers to capture their best. Of Guy, John Parales from the New York Times said: “Whether he’s singing about his mother’s advice or the eternal blues staple or woman trouble, Mr. Guy hits home” and Hambridge’s many talents certainly play a formidable role in bringing the Guy’s life story home to the fans.
Additionally, Hambridge produced and wrote eleven songs on the new James Cotton album Cotton Mouth Man, recently at number ten, which featured Hambridge-produced guest performances none other than the likes of Gregg Allman, Keb Mo,Warren Haynes, Ruthie Foster and Delbert McClinton.
And there’s more. Hambridge produced, wrote or co-wrote every song on the Quinn Sullivan album Getting There, which went to number one on the Billboard Blues Chart and cracked the top forty of the Heatseekers chart.
If that’s not enough, Hambridge played drums on and also contributed music to the latest Delbert McClinton and Glen Cark album Blind, Crippled & Crazy, at number five, and the album by Too Slim Tail Draggers Blue Heart which debuted at number three. To add to this summer’s hectic schedule, Hambridge tunes are found on the latest albums by ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and the legendary Eric Burden, formerly of the Animals.
As Tim “Too Slim” Langford said in a recent interview in Blues Blast, “Then, lest we forget, there was the drummer and producer – probably the hottest name in the blues business–Grammy Award-winning Tom Hambridge. Tom’s approach was to just try and catch the moment. We’d talk about the song for a minute and then – bang! – He’d count it out and just go for it. And pretty much, that’s how it went. Everything is pretty much first or second take. Tom is just incredibly organized and just has such a calm vibe about everything. Everybody was just so relaxed and chilled about recording, that it made me feel really comfortable right off the bat. And on top of that, Tom’s such a great drummer.”
In catching a breath after the rather busy summer he’s had, Hambridge said: “I am honored to work with musical legends like B.B. King, James Cotton, Buddy Guy and so many other great artists. My goal is to create music that stands the test of time and I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish.”
The irrepressible Buddy Guy said: “I’ve had a lot of producers …. but forget the rest, Tom is the best. Tom brought the songs, the team and the vision to the party that lit up Rhythm & Blues.”
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7/30/13
Buddy Guy’s ‘Rhythm & Blues’ Is Out Today!!
Today Buddy Guy’s album “Rhythm & Blues” was released on RCA Records, coinciding with Buddy’s 77th birthday. The album contains 2 disks (Disk 1: Rhythm/Disk 2: Blues) filled with 21 songs produced by Tom Hambridge. Tom also wrote/co-wrote 18 of the 21 tunes on Rhythm & Blues, as well as played drums & percussion, and adding some backing vocals. You can download Buddy’s new album NOW at iTunes, or order the CD/Vinyl from Amazon.com. Read the review of Rhythm & Blues in USA Today released today:
7/24/13
Exclusive First Listen: Buddy Guy & Keith Urban!!
GRAMMY-winning blues icon Buddy Guy is set to release his new album, Rhythm & Blues, on July 30. Ahead of the album’s release, GRAMMY.com has your exclusive first listen to the blues ballad “One Day Away,” featuring fellow GRAMMY winner Keith Urban. The song was written & produced by Tom Hambridge, who is also playing drums and singing background vocals on the song.
7/22/13
Read The Recent Article on Tom from Blues Blast Magazine!
In This Issue:
A.J. Wachtel has our feature interview with Tom Hambridge.
Featured Blues Interview – Tom Hambridge
Tom Hambridge is red, hot and blue! This multi-talented producer-songwriter-performer has a passion so strong that it knows no limits and has no bounds under the many different hats he wears.
He has played with all the icons and as his life accumulates accolade after accolade he remains one of the best Ambassadors of the Blues alive today. And he is now internationally known as a 2011 Grammy Award Winner for his production work on Buddy Guy’s CD Living Proof, is an ASCAP award winner as a singer/songwriter and is an accomplished session/touring drummer and solo artist who is also the recipient of another 4 Grammy Award nominations.
In his resume, he has either toured with, produced, written songs for and/or recorded with the likes of Chuck Berry, Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter, Susan Tedeschi, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hank Williams Jr., Delbert McClinton, Bo Diddley, B.B. King, Meat Loaf, NRBQ, George Thorogood, Keith Anderson, Billy Ray Cyrus, Boston, Shemekia Copeland, Gretchen Wilson, Rodney Atkins, Van Zant, Montgomery Gentry and Rascall Flatts.
In fact, Hambridge is so busy these days that he had to fit this interview in between studio dates with Buddy Guy and Kid Rock, one week, and touring with Delbert McClinton the next. Just incredible.
Born in Buffalo, New York, he went to Berklee School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, and now lives in Nashville, Tennessee. Right after his graduation, Hambridge started a band T.H.& The Wreckage and assembled back up bands for national artists appearing in the Boston area including: Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Link Wray, Percy Sledge, Gary Puckett, Sha Na Na and Roy Buchanan. He even appeared on Roy’s album Live: Amazing Grace.
“Playing with Roy was amazing. He loved the blues but he could play anything. I am very honored to be on that album. We recorded Amazing Grace live at The Lone Star in NYC. It was my second night ever playing with Roy. We came out for the second show and he started playing “Amazing Grace”. We had never played it before. They say it was the only time he ever performed the song live. Fortunately they were recording that night.”
“I played with Roy as his drummer and lead singer right up until his tragic death. I miss the great Roy Buchanan terribly. All those legends you mention have all played the blues. It all comes from the blues.”
“As a drummer and a band leader I have had the pleasure of touring and/or recording with all my heroes. Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Roy Buchanan, Johnny Winter, and on every gig we played some blues.”
In 1997, Hambridge produced and played on Susan Tedeschi’s Platinum-selling, Grammy Award nominated debut album Just Won’t Burn. He also wrote her Top 10 Triple A hits “Rock Me Right” and “It Hurt So Bad”.
“I had played with Susan in and around Boston and was honored to be asked to produce an album for her. The album is now a classic and has sold over a million copies and I am very proud to be part of it. I think Susan is an amazing singer and an amazing guitarist.”
He has also had some recent success writing songs for other artists including ZZ Top, Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter, B.B King, Skynyrd and Eric Burdon among many others. He recently wrote the song “Drink Drank Drunk” which is the title cut off or the Delta Groove album by the artists Andy T and Nick Nixon Band. Most recently he worked with a young guitarist protégé of Buddy Guy’s named Quinn Sullivan producing, playing drums and writing songs for his new CD, Getting There.
“Artists or bands will contact me when they are getting ready to record. Some will fly to Nashville so they can write the songs with me or they may just ask me to send them songs. Sometimes it’s as simple as Billy Gibbons, Meatloaf or Kenny Wayne Shepherd coming over to my house where we hang out and write songs.”
“When I am producing an album for an artist I will get extremely focused on that project and I will start writing songs for that specific album. As far as songwriting credits, shit I don’t know, I’ve had over 350 of my songs recorded. I’m sure there is a list somewhere.”
In 2011, Hambridge won a Grammy Award at The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards for producing Buddy Guy’s Living Proof and in February 2012 he appeared with Buddy at The White House Celebration for Black History Month. The ceremony included Keb Mo, Mick Jagger and B.B. King. President Obama joined the band for the chorus of “Sweet Home Chicago”, too.
“Appearing at The White House was a huge honor. The White House reached out to me and asked me to put together a blue print for a Blues Show at the White House during Black History Month. It was so beautiful to see it all come together and be a part of it. I had a ball getting to play drums for Mick Jagger, Jeff Beck, Buddy Guy and even the President who I did have the pleasure of meeting”.
As for winning a Grammy for producing Buddy’s Living Proof: “Buddy Guy is like fine wine he just keeps getting better with age. Winning the Grammy for Living Proof is living proof that even at 76 Buddy Guy is still at the top of his game and is making some of his best music”.
In terms of producing an album in general, Hambridge is hard-core: “When I produce an album I jump in all the way. From the songs to the arrangements to the hiring of the musicians, the engineers, the mixing all the way to the mastering. I love every part of the process so my m.o. is to assemble all the parts and then start building the house!”
Recently, T.H. has crossed paths with Eric Clapton a couple of times; first while producing Slowhand’s cameo appearance on Buddy’s 2009 release Skin Deep and again while backing Buddy at Clapton’s “Crossroads Festival”.
“It is always an honor to get to work with such great artists and I feel so blessed to make music with these legends. And thank you for mentioning my drumming. I have been playing drums since the age of 5 and it is something I don’t talk about much but I do take pride in.”
“Here is a short list: “Every Time I Sing The Blues”-Eric Clapton & Buddy Guy,” Rock Me Right/Little By Little”-Susan Tedeschi, “Something For Me”-James Cotton & Warren Haynes, “Hammer And A Nail”-Buddy Guy, “Lone Wolf”-Johnny Winter, “Hellfire”-Joe Louis Walker, “Mama’s Little Baby”-Delbert McClinton, “Nine Pound Hammer”-Tom Hambridge, “Amazing Grace”-Roy Buchanan.”
“Those are the songs that I really dig that I played on. And working on James Cotton’s latest Cotton Mouth Man, just recently, I got a chance to play some drums on that also”. “James Cotton is a National Treasure. James is a major part of the history of the blues. He was on the ground floor with Muddy.”
“I wanted to create an album that told his story with honor and grace. He is an amazing singer as well as one of the greatest harmonica players ever but he lost his voice to cancer so I reached out to some of my friends and asked if they would lend their voices to help tell the James Cotton story and everyone I invited showed up: Gregg Allman, Keb Mo, Warren Haynes, Delbert McClinton, Ruthie Foster and Chuck Leavell.”
“James Cotton flew to Nashville and we hung out and wrote songs. I invited two other songwriter friends, Gary Nicholson and Richard Fleming over to my office and we wrote.”
“As for the story behind getting B.B. to collaborate with Buddy for the first time, it happened in sort of the same way. I was hired to produce and play on a BB King song for a Disney movie soundtrack. I flew to Las Vegas and recorded with B.B. King. He really dug the track and the production and we had a great time working together. About 6 months later Buddy Guy and B.B. King were out touring together. They played the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and invited me out to the show. Buddy called me up to sit in on a song I had written with him called “Skin Deep”.”
“I was out in the audience during BB King’s show and he said “he loved what he was doing and he hoped he’d get to stay around a little longer”. I got together with a friend and great songwriter named Gary Nicholson and we wrote “Stay Around A Little Longer”.”
“I was producing another Buddy Guy album at the time and I played the song for Buddy and told him my goal would be to have him sing it with B.B. King. Buddy loved the idea so I sent the song to B.B. and he was very moved by it.”
“We flew out to Vegas and had a ball recording and shooting a video for it. It was amazing to sit with two of the greatest of the greats and watch them go back and forth with the lyric. It was a very emotional musical moment that I will cherish forever”.
Tom Hambridge is a genius on many levels: the question is; which level do you like best?
7/1/13
Preorder the upcoming Buddy Guy Album now!
Buddy Guy will be releasing his new Album ‘Rhythm & Blues’ on his 77th birthday, July 30th. And you can preorder Rhythm & Blues at iTunes & Amazon now! The double-disc CD is packed with over 15 Hambridge – penned tunes and also features guests performances by Kid Rock, Gary Clark Jr., Aerosmith and several others. Tom produced the album, played drums & percussion, as well as singing back up on several songs. Be sure to preorder your copy of ‘Buddy Guy – Rhythm & Blues’ now!!
6/18/13
Quinn Sullivan’s “Getting There” is now available!
The latest disc by 14 year old guitarist Quinn Sullivan is released today! The disc contains 12 songs written & produced by Tom Hambridge, and also features a bonus live track of the song ‘Got To Get Better In A Little While’ by Derek & The Dominos. The CD (on SuperStar Records) is now available via Amazon & many other stores. Get your copy of ‘Getting There’ by Quinn Sullivan today!
To purchase the CD from iTunes, click on the album cover picture below:
6/7/13
Latest Updates!!
Tom Hambridge has been a busy man these days. He’s finishing up several recording projects with Buddy Guy, Joe Louis Walker and Quinn Sullivan. Tom has also produced & written tunes on James Cotton’s latest release ‘Cotton Mouth Man’, as well as the rockin’-bluesy-driven indie release entitled ‘Blue Heart’ by Too Slim & The Taildraggers, and the infectious rock & soul sound of Jack Mack & The Heart Attack Horns.
On June 18th, Quinn Sullivan’s new CD, ‘Getting There’, will be released on SuperStar Records. The upcoming album was produced by Tom, who also co-wrote the songs, and features the 14-year-old Sullivan performing some heavy duty guitar work. Quinn recently shared the stage at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Festival, held at Madison Square Garden in NYC, and was featured in the May issue of Rolling Stone Magazine. You can pre-order Quinn’s CD HERE. Be sure to pick up your copy of Quinn’s CD on June 18th!
Also, stay tuned for more updates on the forthcoming Buddy Guy CD, as well as Joe Louis Walkers upcoming release, and several other artists, as the news develops!
And last but not least, Tom has also been busy playing drums on tour with the likes of Delbert McClinton, Buddy Guy, Quinn Sullivan & others. Check the TOURDATES page for Tom’s upcoming shows.
4/15/13
Backstage at Madison Square Garden
Just before showtime this past weekend at the Crossroads Festival:
4/12/13
Tom to perform at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Festival this weekend!
Tom will be playing drums with blues legend Buddy Guy this weekend at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Festival 2013. The concert is happening at Madison Square Garden in NYC. Other artists performing at the festival include such diverse guitarists as Jeff Beck, Steve Cropper, John Mayer, Vince Gill, Sonny Landreth, BB King and of course Eric Clapton.
3/28/13
New James Cotton Album Due Out May 7th
Blues legend James Cotton has a new CD that will be released on May 7th. Cotton Mouth Man, produced by Tom, will contain nearly all new original songs co-written by Hambridge. Special guest performers on the album include Gregg Allman, Joe Bonamassa, Warren Haynes & many others. Read the full press release at RoseBud Agency & Alligator Records.
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2/28/13
New Tour Dates!!
Tom will be heading out on a week long tour opening for the great George Thorogood & The Destroyers beginning on March 19th. To see all of Tom’s concert dates go to his TOURDATE page! And please check back often – there will be some exciting news for summer & fall tour dates. Stay tuned!!!
2/15/13
Tom Collaborates with Eric Burdon on new Album!
Former Animals/War singer Eric Burdon recently released a new album, “Til your River runs Dry” on ABKCO Records. It features a song that Eric co-wrote with Tom called ‘Old Habits Die Hard’. Listen to the song below:
You can purchase the song or the complete CD on itunes.
2/6/13
This Week’s News & Upcoming Shows
Tom has been busy with several recording projects that will be released later this year. Along with the finishing touches to the upcoming James Cotton album, Tom has also been in the studio doing overdubs and mixing songs for the upcoming Buddy Guy album. Recently Tom invited Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford to play on one of the Buddy tunes, and Whitford tore it up in the studio! Check out this photo of Tom taken with Brad at Nashville’s legendary recording studio Ronnie’s Place:
And in other news this week, Tom will be performing in-the-round at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville this coming Saturday night, February 9th. Showtime is 9:30pm. In the round with Tom will be: Sam Palladio, Pat McLaughlin and Colin Linden. For more info, visit the Bluebird website.
Finally, stay tuned for an upcoming spring tour announcement!!
1/30/13
The Latest Tom Hambridge News in 2013
Happy New Year! 2013 is starting off with a bang for Tom Hambridge. He’s been busy in the studio with Buddy Guy for his next studio album. He’s also putting the finishing touches on the upcoming James Cotton album. In fact, this past Tuesday evening Tom flew to Savannah GA to have Gregg Allman sing a track that Tom wrote for the Cotton LP. Tom said, “Gregg sang the shit out of the tune!” Keep an eye out for these new albums by James Cotton & Buddy Guy due out later this year.
Tom with Gregg Allman in the studio.
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In other news, Tom just recently returned from performing on Delbert McClinton’s Sandy Beaches Cruise 19. Tom performed in the Songwriter’s round, and also sat in performing with Lee Roy Parnell. Another cruise, another great time had by all! Check out the video of Tom playing drums with Lee Roy Parnell:
12/23/12
Kennedy Center Honors Buddy Guy!
Legendary blues guitarist Buddy Guy was honored on Dec. 2nd at the 35th Annual Kennedy Center Honors for his life’s work. “He’s the link between Chicago’s rich blues history and Chicago’s blues future,” says City Alderman Bob Fioretti, who helped have the block in front of Buddy Guy’s Legends renamed in Guy’s honor. “Whenever I’m with him, he always credits the legends that came before him. He never forgets them.” Other Honorees included Dustin Hoffman, David Letterman & Led Zeppelin. Tom was invited as Buddy’s guest to the Kennedy Center for this unforgettable milestone in Buddy’s life. The Kennedy Center Honors Ceremony will be broadcast on Wednesday night December 26th on CBS. Check out pictures of Buddy from the Kennedy Center Honors HERE.
12/16/12
“BUDDY GUY – LIVE AT LEGENDS” To Be Released December 18th!
This coming Tuesday December 18th RCA will release ‘Buddy Guy – Live At Legends’. The CD features 8 live cuts that were recorded live at Buddy’s popular Chicago club in January of 2010, including Tom’s songs ‘Skin Deep‘ & ‘Best Damn Fool‘. The CD also includes 3 studio tracks, two of which were written by Tom. Be sure to get your copy of this blistering new Hambridge-produced Buddy Guy CD! For more info go to Buddy Guy’s website.
11/27/12
Tom performs with Delbert McClinton on Imus In The Morning!!
On the morning of November 14th, Delbert McClinton was the musical guest on the Imus Show on Fox Business News Network. Tom had the pleasure of playing drums with Delbert & his band live on Imus In The Morning. Watch the video:
11/21/12
Holiday Sale on select Tom Hambridge Merchandise!!
From now through the end of the year we’ll have Tom’s CDs BANG N’ ROLL & BOOM! on sale for just $5.00! We’ve also just added a Limited Edition BALDERDASH T-Shirt to our list of items for sale on the store page. These T-Shirts are specially priced now for only $7.00!! This special collector’s T-Shirt originally coincided with the release of Tom’s Balderdash CD in 2000 & the subsequent Balderdash Tour that followed!! It’s a must-have!! Go to the Tom Hambridge Store and put in your order for these hot items today!
11/13/12
Watch & Listen to Tom perform with Delbert McClinton on Imus In The Morning!
On Wednesday morning November 14th, Tom will be performing with Delbert McClinton on Imus In The Morning between the times of 6am & 9am EST. Tune in to the internet radio feed by clicking the link below:
http://player.streamtheworld.com/_players/citadel/?sid=5637
The show will also be archived for future listens. You can also watch the performance on TV on Fox Business Network. Be sure to tune in tomorrow morning!!
9/11/12
ZZ Top’s ‘La Futura’ is released today!!
ZZ Top’s new album ‘La Futura’ is out today! The full-length album includes 2 songs (Over You & I Don’t Wanna Lose, Lose, You) written by Tom & ZZ Top guitarist/singer Billy Gibbons. You can download the new album from iTunes and other online music stores now! You can also read a current interview with Billy Gibbons discussing the songs from the new album by clicking HERE.
8/21/12
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Last of a Dyin’ Breed” is released!
Lynyrd Skynyrd has released their 13th studio album “Last of a Dyin’ Breed” today. The album features 3 songs co-written by Tom with the band (4 songs on the Special Edition release). This is Tom’s 2nd time writing tunes with Lynyrd Skynyrd. They teamed up to write together for the ‘Vicious Cycle’ album which was released in 2003. You can get the album via Amazon.com or download the Special Edition CD at iTunes. And don’t forget, Tom and The Rattlesnakes are Lynyrd Skynyrd’s special guests on this year’s Simple Man Cruise. You can bet that both bands will be rockin’ the boat!!
6/13/12
June 19 & 20: Catch Tom in Cambridge MA for 2 special events!
This coming June 19 & 20, Tom will be in Cambridge MA for two very special events: A Stop on the Journey, which is an intimate, exclusive video production that features an in depth conversation with Tom Hambridge about the triumphs and challenges of his career. The experience should be similar to coming to a taping of Inside the Actor’s Studio.
And, Songwriters Behind the Stars, which will feature Tom performing in an acoustic setting, much like a performance you might have seen at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. For tickets & info, click on either picture link below:
June 19: A Stop on the Journey with Tom Hambridge Hosted by Peter Parcek
The term “Renaissance Man” brings to mind Leonardo da Vinci, Benjamin Franklin, and a 1994 film starring Danny Devito. While lesser known outside of the recording industry, Tom Hambridge is every bit as deserving of the “Renaissance Man” label after lending his superb songwriting, production, singing, and instrumental skills to the music business for over 25 years. A one-man blues factory, Hambridge has rendered his talents with the pen, the drums, and behind the soundboards to legends from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Buddy Guy. In A Stop On The Journey with Tom Hambridge, this rock and roll polymath relates his trek through the peaks and valleys of the music biz in an intimate, one-night only conversation with host Peter Parcek. From drummer to producer, Berklee grad to Grammy winner, Hambridge’s unique journey is sure to teach aspiring musicians and audiophiles alike the true meaning of paying your dues to play the blues.
June 20: Songwriters Behind the Stars Hosted by Ducky Carlisle
with Tom Hambridge, Susan Cattaneo, Bonnie Hayes, David Johnston
Behind every great song is a great songwriter. In many cases, from The Temptations to The Monkees, brilliant writers often take a back seat while dynamic performers bring their works to life. In Redstar Union’s new event The Song: Songwriters Behind the Stars, we celebrate the achievements of a panel of songwriters and give them a forum to perform their own tunes. Hosted by Ducky Carlisle, the legendary Boston producer and recording engineer for artists like Buddy Guy, this first installment of The Song showcases four different and talented writers. The lineup includes Bonnie Hayes, who started as a Slash recording artist in the ‘80s and has written songs for Cher, Bonnie Raitt, and Adam Ant among others. Bonnie will be joined by Susan Cattaneo, who in addition to charting on country radio in the US, Europe and Asia, has spent over as decade teaching songwriting at Berklee and has penned songs for rising stars in Nashville like Erica Nicole and Jillian Carderelli. David Johnston: a longtime Harvard Square busker whose song “I Don’t Want To Know” was recently covered on Peter Wolf’s newest record, Midnight Souvenirs, kicks off the night, and bringing it all back home as the headliner is Tom Hambridge, a Grammy-winning producer, drummer, and writer for legends & major acts such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, BB King, Rascal Flatts, Susan Tedeschi and ZZ Top. You may have missed their names in the liner notes, but don’t miss their moment in the sun!
6/5/12
New ZZ TOP EP now available at iTunes
ZZ Top released their latest 4-song EP today on iTunes, and it includes Tom’s song ‘Over You’. The EP, “Texicali”, is the sneak-peek preview of the group’s full-length album, as yet untitled, that will be released on American Recordings late this summer or early fall. Be sure to go to iTunes & download the new EP and please take a moment to leave a review of ‘Over You’.
3/28/12
“She’s Leaving” now available at iTunes!!
Congrats to Tom Hambridge! His song “She’s Leaving” was recorded by Rascal Flatts for their forthcoming CD ‘Changed’, due to be released on April 3rd. Now they have decided to release the song as a single to iTunes. CLICK HERE to buy the song…and while you’re there, be sure to write a review of it! ‘She’s Leaving’ was written by Tom and Jeffrey Steele.
3/9/12
Delta Airlines adds ‘Upside of Lonely’ to their Song Roster
If you’re flying on Delta Airlines within the next 2 months, you’ll get a chance to hear Tom’s song ‘Upside of Lonely’. Delta has added the song to their music songlist during the months of March & April. The song is from Tom’s latest CD ‘BOOM!’ on SuperStar Records. Read the full promo article HERE. And be sure to tune in to listen for Tom on your next Delta flight!
3/8/12
New Rascal Flatts album due out on April 3rd
Rascal Flatt’s has a new album coming out on Big Machine Records called ‘Changed’. The album, due to be released on April 3rd, will feature a song called “She’s Leaving”, written by Tom Hambridge & Jeffrey Steele. For more info about the new album, go to the official Rascal Flatts website.
3/3/12
JOE LOUIS WALKER TO APPEAR ON CONAN ON MONDAY, MARCH 5
Blues guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Joe Louis Walker will appear on TBS’s CONAN on Monday, March 5. Walker & his band will perform the Hambridge-penned song Ride All Night from his new Alligator Records debut CD, Hellfire. Billboard says Hellfire is “one of the strongest albums in Walker’s canon…gutbucket blues, joyous gospel, Rolling Stones-style rock crunch, and aching R&B… a heavenly showcase for Walker’s virtues.” Tom produced the album Hellfire, played drums & wrote several songs on the CD, including Ride All Night & the title track. Be sure to tune in this coming Monday night to TBS at 11/10 Central.
2/23/12
Tom Hambridge Performs At The White House!!
Here is a recent youtube clip from the All Star Blues Concert held this past Monday evening at The White House. Tom had the privilege to perform along with Buddy Guy, BB King, Mick Jagger, Jeff Beck & many others. This incredible performance has Tom playing drums (along with Narada Michael Walden) on ‘Five Long Years’ with Mick Jagger, Jeff Beck, Buddy Guy & Guy Clark Jr. Check it out:
2/20/12
Tom to perform at The White House!
Tom will be joining Buddy Guy and BB King on Tuesday evening Feb 21st to perform at the ‘Red, White & Blues Concert’ to be held at The White House in Washington DC! Other guest performers include Jeff Beck, Keb Mo’, Mick Jagger & BB King!
The show will be streaming live from the White House website. It will air on 2/27/12 on your local PBS station. Be sure to check the PBS website or your local listings for future date & time schedules.
And don’t forget to tune in to watch the live stream of this historic performance!
2/1/12
SIMPLE MAN CRUISE 2012!!
Join Tom Hambridge & The Rattlesnakes alongside Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Doobie Brothers and a dozen other bands as they sail on the Simple Man Cruise 2012!
They are cruising October 27th – 31st on the Norwegian Pearl, a new and luxurious rockin’ party ship with a bowling alley, climbing wall, and so much more. This southern festival at sea is departing from Miami and headed to Key West and Great Stirrup Cay! There will be endless live music and activities as we sail through paradise, as well as a stop at a private island to rock to southern music all day long. Get ready to cruise with your favorite bands and an entire ship full of new friends for four full days of live music on various stages, and stops at two different party spots in the Caribbean.
Find out everything you need to know about joining the Simple Man Cruise 2012 and sign up for the pre-sale, here: Simple Man Cruise.
1/31/12
Joe Louis Walker’s ‘HELLFIRE’ CD is released today
Alligator Records has set a January 31, 2012 release date for Hellfire, the label debut from Joe Louis Walker. Hellfire was produced by Tom who also held down the backbeat on drums & percussion. Tom also contributed several songs to the album. Walker says it’s the hardest rocking and most deeply soulful album of his career. Visit Joe Louis Walker’s website by clicking on the picture on the left.
1/14/12
Happy New Year! Listen to Tom’s podcast interview on a1blues.com
2012 is off to a good start: Tom’s latest interview on a1blues.com can be heard by clicking HERE. On this latest podcast interview, you’ll hear Tom discussing the inspiration behind the songs on his latest CD, BOOM. Tom also discusses record producing, working with Buddy Guy and much more. Tune in and give it a listen!!
In other news: The Joe Louis Walker CD ‘HELLFIRE’ is expected to be released on January 20th. The aptly titled HELLFIRE was produced by Tom. You’ll also hear several of Tom’s compositions, as well as his back beat drumming on the CD. Check out Joe Louis Walker.
Looking to buy BOOM? BOOGIEMAN? BANG N’ ROLL? Want them personally autographed? Then check out the newly updated STORE PAGE. Tom is making his CDs available directly from this website. The store page is still under construction, but you can currently order autographed CDs of BOOM,BOOGIEMAN & BANG N’ ROLL. In the near future we will have ALL of Tom’s discography available, as well as some classic T- Shirts! Order Tom’s music & merchandise right from his website with greater ease. You can still find Tom’s music available at itunes, CD Baby, Amazon, Ebay, and all other online music stores.
10/24/11
Tom will be ‘Sitting On The Couch’ – Tonight @ 9PM CST!
Tune in tonight at 9pm CST to hear Tom being interviewed live via the internet at BlogTalkRadio. Music On The Couch is a weekly Monday night program that is streamed live over the internet waves. The host, Vinny Bond, will be interviewing Tom tonight beginning at 9pm and will also be playing several of Tom’s tunes. Click HERE to tune in.
10/14/11
New Tour Dates Added – with ZZ Top & Lynyrd Skynyrd!!
Tom & the Rattlesnakes are gearing up to hit the road one more time! This time they’ll be touring with 2 of the biggest bands in rock history: ZZ Top & Lynyrd Skynyrd!! The tour begins on Sunday October 16th in Tuscaloosa Alabama. To see all of Tom’s tour dates, check out the TOUR PAGE. And be sure to get out to one of these shows!!
9/23/11
On The Road Again……
Tom and the band are gearing up to head out on the road this weekend!. They’ll be hitting the stages again in support of Tom’s new CD BOOM! And this time they’ll be special guests for George Thorogood & The Destroyers. The tour resumes this Sunday September 25th in Albany NY and runs through mid October. The double bill will be rockin’ & rollin’ all along the east coast. To see the tour dates CLICK HERE. To read the latest reviews of BOOM! CLICK HERE. And be sure to check back often for more dates. There’s a possibility that Tom will be heading out on the road in the near future with Skynyrd & ZZ Top! Stay tuned…..
9/6/11
‘BOOM!’ Is Here!!
Tom’s new CD ‘BOOM!’ is finally here! It’s available at itunes, CD Baby, Amazon & other online stores. The CD contains all new Hambridge songs, including his versions of the song ‘I Got Your Country Right Here’ which was recorded by Gretchen Wilson along with being the title track of her CD. You’ll also hear ‘I Had A Real Good Time’ which was co-written with & recorded by Delbert McClinton. ‘Things I Miss The Most’ was also co-written with & recorded by the Van Zant Brothers. You can find these songs, along with 8 other Hambridge originals, on BOOM! Be sure to get your copy today! And don’t forget that Tom along with The Rattlesnakes & several special guests will be celebrating the CD release of BOOM on Tuesday night September 6th at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville TN. Showtime is 9pm. This night promises to a rockin’ good time so be sure to purchase your tickets now! You can buy the new cd at CD BABY. And you can purchase tickets for the Bluebird Cafe CD Release show by CLICKING HERE.
8/14/11
“Nineteen” is slated to be the next single by Billy Ray Cyrus
Billy Ray Cyrus is set to release Tom’s song “Nineteen” as his next single from the latest CD ‘I’m American’. Keep an eye and both ears out for it on country radio.
7/13/11
“GOING BACK” #1 at Classic Rock Radio!!
Tom’s song “Going Back” which he wrote with George Thorogood is currently #1 at Classic Rock Radio! The song has also reached #5 at Blues radio and is building airply at Triple A/Non-Commercial Radio! CLICK HERE to read about it!!
The new George Thorogood & The Destroyers album ‘2120 South Michigan Ave’ was released this week on EMI/Capitol Records.
Wayne Baker Brooks Debuts “Changeling”
Chicago-born Bluesman Wayne Baker Brooks just released his latest single ‘Changeling’, written & produced by Tom. You can pre-order WBB’s album now by CLICKING HERE
7/7/11
Billy Ray Cyrus’ new CD ”I’m American” is now available
Billy Ray Cyrus’ latest album entitled “I’m American” is now available at all stores and download outlets online. The new album include’s Billy Ray’s version of Tom’s song “Nineteen”, a favorite of Billy’s. He’s been performing the song in his live show for quite a while. Check it out on itunes or order the CD on amazon.com
7/1/11
Tom is nominated at the 2011 Blues Blast Music Awards and you can vote!
This just in!! Tom has been nominated for ‘Song of the Year (Living Proof)’ at the 2011 Blues Blast Music Awards! And you can vote! Please take a moment go to to the website and cast your vote for Tom! Voting ends August 31st, but get your vote in NOW! Anyone with an email address is eligible to vote. By voting your email address goes into the weekly drawing to win free CDs, t-shirts or even a pair of Blues Blast Music Awards tickets.
CLICK HERE or on the ‘Blues Blast picture’ above to cast your vote.
Blues Blast Music Awards tickets are now on sale. The 2011 Blues Blast Music Awards are October 27th, 2011 at Buddy Guy’s Legends in Chicago. Tickets are only $30. To purchase your tickets now visit: http://www.thebluesblast.com/bbmatickets11.htm
And if you want the best seats in the house check out our mini-sponsorships at: http://www.thebluesblast.com/bbma11sponsor.htm
Last but not least, we have reserved a block of 25 rooms at the official Blue Blast Hotel, The Essex Inn. The rate is $139.00 plus tax. This is a nice hotel conveniently located within walking distance just one block from Buddy Guy’s Legends. To take advantage of this great rate visit: https://booking.ihotelier.com/istay/istay.jsp?hotelid=6130&identifier=BLUESB11
For questions or further information contact info@TheBluesBlast.com or call 309 267-4425
New Album by George Thorogood & The Destroyers due out on July 12th!
The new George Thorogood & The Destroyers LP entitled 2120 South Michigan Ave will be released on July 12th. It will be in both CD and LP format!!
2120 South Michigan Ave is Thorogood’s tribute to Chess Records. The album was produced by Tom and contains 2 Hambridge written tunes “Goin’ Back” & “Willie Dixon’s Gone”. The remainng 11 tunes on the album are classic gems by such greats like Chuck Berry, Will Dixon, Muddy Waters, & Howlin’ Wolf.
Be sure to pick up your copy on July 12th!! You can also pre-order at amazon.com. ‘2120’ is a must-have!!
Lynyrd Skynyrd – getting ready to record a new album!
Southern rockers LYNYRD SKYNYRD will be heading back into the studio by the end of the year to record an album filled with new songs written by the band and some of their songwriting friends. Memebers of Lynyrd Skynyrd came to Nashville recently to write a batch of songs with Tom. Read the story at Billboard Magazine Online.
Stay tuned for more info as it develops!
6/16/11
“The Note” Is Now Available For Digital Download!
Tom’s latest song ‘The Note’ was recorded by Jordash Recording artist Keith Bryant. You can download the song on itunes and Amazon. To find out more about Keith Bryant, click HERE.
6/11/11
Summer Tour Dates Are Posted!
Tom and his band The Rattlesnakes will be hitting the road this summer on a series of concert dates with Lynyrd Skynyrd & The Doobie Brothers. Click HERE to see the shows booked so far. Tom will also be promoting his soon-to-be-released album this summer, so make sure you get to one of these concert dates! It’s gonna be a rockin’ good party!!
5/6/11
Buddy Guy’s ‘Living Proof’ sweeps Blues Music Awards in Memphis!!
Tonight (May 5th) in Memphis Buddy Guy took home 4 Awards including “Album of the Year” and “Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year” for the album, and Tom’s song “Living Proof” won “Song Of The Year”!! Tom produced, played on & wrote every song on the Grammy Award Winning LP “Living Proof”.
5/4/11
The Blues Awards, The Grammy & The Tour
Tom is on his way to Memphis Tennessee at this very moment. This is where the 2011 Blues Music Awards ceremony is being held on Thursday May 5th. Tom & Buddy Guy are up for several awards including Album Of The Year & Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year (Living Proof). Tom is also nominated for Song Of The Year (title track ‘Living Proof’, written by Tom). In 2009, Tom won a Blues Award for his production & songwriting contributions to Buddy Guy’s ‘Skin Deep’ album. Let’s hope Tom & Buddy can win a few more awards this year!! Buddy Guy is also up for the BB King Entertainer Of The Year Award & the Contemporary Blues Male Artist Of The Year Award. Congrats to both!
Here it is! A picture of the Grammy that was awarded to Tom at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards! What an incredible accomplishment!!
Finally, Tom is now sewing up the odds ‘n ends to his summer tour schedule. Tom is honored to be performing on several select dates this coming summer on the Lynyrd Skynyrd/Doobie Brothers Tour. We’ll post all of the summer tourdates once we have the confirmations!! Stay tuned.
4/26/11
Tom & Buddy Guy to perform Wednesday Night 4/27 on The Tonight Show!!
Tune in this Wednesday night April 27 at 11:30est/10:30cst to NBC’s Tonight Show with Jay Leno to watch Tom & Buddy Guy performing the Hambridge-penned song ’74 Years Young’ from Buddy’s Grammy-winning album Living Proof.
4/5/11
George Thorogood & The Destroyers to Release New Studio Album on July 12!
The new album, 2120 South Michigan Avenue, is produced by Tom Hambridge and includes 2 songs cowritten by Tom & George Thorogood. On the new album, Thorogood Salutes His Chess Records Heroes, including Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry & Howlin’ Wolf. Special guests on the album include Buddy Guy & Charlie Musselwhite.
CLICK HERE to read the full article.
4/4/11
Tom Comes Home Tonight, Bringing Buddy Guy with Him to Play UBCFA!!
Tom Hambridge comes home tonight to play the University at Buffalo Center for the Arts on the Amherst campus as the touring opening act for still smokin’ blues titan Buddy Guy, with whom he won another Grammy this year for producing and co-writing Guy’s latest album, ‘Living Proof’.
CLICK HERE to read the full article.
3/22/11
Catch Tom on JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE this Wednesday!!
Catch Tom on JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE on ABC-TV this WEDNESDAY NIGHT March 23rd at 12/11CST. Tom wrote and produced “CYCLONE”, the debut album by 12 year old Guitar prodigy QUINN SULLIVAN. Tom will be playing drums and singing with Quinn on the new single “MY SWEET GUITAR”. TUNE IN!!
3/16/11
BUDDY GUY’S impressive numbers on the BILLBOARD CHARTS:
Buddy Guy’s latest Album ‘Living Proof’ shows his highest chart peak to date! And not very far behind is the Album ‘Skin Deep’. Congratulations to Buddy & Tom Hambridge for raising the bar on the Billboard Charts!
| Year | Album | Chart | Peak | ||
| 2008 | Skin Deep | Top Blues Albums | 1 | ||
| 2008 | Skin Deep | The Billboard 200 | 68 | ||
| 2008 | Skin Deep | Top Internet Albums | 68 | ||
| 2010 | Living Proof | Top Blues Albums | 1 | ||
| 2010 | Living Proof | Top Rock Albums | 10 | ||
| 2010 | Living Proof | Top Digital Albums | 24 | ||
| 2010 | Living Proof | The Billboard 200 | 46 |
TICKETS ON SALE MONDAY MARCH 7th for TOM’S SHOW AT THE BLUEBIRD CAFE in NASHVILLE SATURDAY MARCH 12th
Tom will be performing on Saturday March 12th at The Bluebird Cafe, 4101 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville TN. Showtime is 9:30pm. Tickets & reservations are available starting Monday morning March 7th at 8AM CST. Get your tickets and make reservations by calling The Bluebird at (615) 383-1461 OR by visiting The Bluebird webite! Click HERE to make your reservations online. Tom’s show is ‘In-The-Round’.
CONGRATULATIONS TO TOM ON BUDDY GUY’S GRAMMY® WINNING RECORD Living Proof, Co-Written and Produced by Tom Hambridge
click below for video of Grammy® acceptance speech
At the video shoot for “Stay Around A Little Longer” at the legendary Golden Steer in Las Vegas 9/13/10
Buddy Guy, Tom and BB King …
JOANNA SMITH UNVEILS “GETTIN’ MARRIED”
Growing up in the small Georgia community of Crestview, Unincorporated, Columbia Nashville artist Joanna Smith knew she was destined to sing country music. At age five she told a judge at a talent contest, “I am already a country music singer, but I don’t get to get onstage much.” She got to sing on stage that night and has been singing ever since. Now, the sassy singer-songwriter debuts on the national stage with her debut single, “Gettin’ Married.”
“Gettin’ Married” is the story of a single woman who is holding out as she watches all her girlfriends tie the knot. “ It’s a girls-night-out type song. It’s fun and a little irreverent,” Joanna says. “The song really wrote itself. Jeffrey Steele, Tom Hambridge, and I had just finished writing and we were trying to schedule a time to get together again. I mentioned I couldn’t because I had to go home and be in a wedding and that all my girlfriends are gettin’ married, and Jeffrey said, ‘That’s a song, let’s write it!’ So we did, right then and there.” For more: http://www.joannasmithofficial.com/
Gretchen Wilson Has Your Country Right Here!
http://bit.ly/bhO0YM
Gretchen Wilson, who rose to fame with anthemic songs like “Redneck Woman,” “Here for the Party” and “All Jacked Up,” knows the reason she’s had success over the last six years: “I’ve been genuine from the get-go,” she says, “and I continue to try to do that. I’m an open book.”
Nowhere is that more true than on the title cut single of her fourth studio album, I Got Your Country Right Here, which hit radio airwaves this week. “This is not only the title track of the record but it’s the first song on the album as well,” said Gretchen. “It really sets up the whole vibe of the rest of the record and let’s you know kinda what you’re in for.”
The hard-driving single, which was written by Jeffrey Steele and Tom Hambridge, pays homage to her heroes ranging from Willie, Waylon, Hank and Charlie Daniels to Skynyrd, Allman Brothers and ZZ Top.
Buy The Album I Got Your Country Right Here
June 2010 —
Rated 4 Stars by Rolling Stone! Powerhouse Records and Tom Principato are proud to announce the release from Fender Telecaster icon and guitar legend and virtuoso Roy Buchanan of the CD “Roy Buchanan Live: Amazing Grace” from their “Guitarchives” Series. Featuring many great musicians such as Dick Heintze, Malcolm Lukens, Tom Hambridge, Robbie Magruder and many others. Buy directly from Powerhouse Records for $15 + $5 postage and handling. Make checks for $20 payable to Powerhouse Records P.O. Box 2213 Falls Church, Va. 22042
We are excited to announce we’ll be sailing once again on the Simple Man Cruise in 2011! We’re thrilled to be joining the 5th cruise adventure, and hope you can join us! We’ll be sailing with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blackberry Smoke, Bonepony, Heather Luttrell, Leroy Powell, Swampdawamp, Truth & Salvage Company and a full lineup of more than a dozen bands from January 20-24th, 2011 from Tampa, FL, to Grand Cayman on the Carnival Inspiration. We are sure you’ve heard the stories, and the past 4 years of this event sound unforgettable (the one we were on sure was!). We know that you can help make this year’s event the biggest celebration of the southern rock community yet! We don’t want to be there without you, so please come on board with us!
Prices start at $649 per person (based on double occupancy) plus $149 per person for taxes and fees. To cruise with us on this amazing adventure, head on over to SIMPLE MAN CRUISE or call 877-SIXTHMAN and book your cabin. With less than 100 cabins left, make plans to join us today!
We can’t wait to join in on this new experience with you. See you on the cruise!
Check out Tom’s song “Boneyard” on the NEW Meat Loaf CD — Hang Cool Teddy Bear. It’s the B side of the single “Los Angeloser” and the BONUS iTunes track. Available worldwide at your favorite music store on online at iTunes, Amazon. “I wanted it big, I wanted it dramatic, I wanted a rock record,” Meat Loaf says. “Yes, it sounds like a Meat Loaf record. But it sounds different, too; it sounds new, it sounds fresh. It speaks to you in a different way.”
Even more new releases featuring Tom’s compositions: American Idol Runner Up Danny Gokey’s RCA Debut CD, My Best Days, features “Life On Ya”; Gretchen Wilson’s New CD features “Walk On Water” and the title track “I Got Your Country Right Here”; Texas Blues Guitarist Guitar Short records Tom’s “Get Off” On Alligator Records and on Jack Ingram’s newest CD, Big Dreams and High Hopes, you can hear Tom’s “Not Giving Up On Me”.
Join Tom Hambridge and the Rattlesnakes and host Lynyrd Skynyrd, along with 38 Special, The Outlaws, Blackberry Smoke, Dead Confederate, Bonepony and many more, for a rockin’ family reuinion. We’ll be sailing from Tampa to Cozumel on the Carnival Inspiration, January 21-25, 2010 and can’t wait for you to be a part of this tradition of bringing great friends together to share unbelievable music and memories with each other. Your ship, the Carnival Inspiration, is complete with all the amenities you expect from a luxury ocean liner. Click HERE for more!
You’ll never be bored with tons of bars, a casino (cha-CHING!), two delightful dining rooms, and a brand new 9-hole mini golf course. The Carnival Inspiration is the perfect venue for some rowdy rock & roll while you get together with your best friends! Be sure to step off the boat in Cozumel, where you can snorkel, hit up the city center for drinks and authentic Mexican cuisine, or learn about Mexico’s rich history. This island had beautiful beaches, perfect for a mid day nap in the sun, or a place to gather and talk about the amazing music you’ve been hearing all week. Prices for the Simple Man Cruise 2010 start at $549pp (based on double occupancy) plus taxes and fees.
Please visit www.simplecruise.com for information on the event, the ship, the artists joining us and for details on how to reserve your Simple Man Cruise 2010 cabin. If you have any further questions, please contact Sixthman via email at customerservice@sixthman.net or over the phone by calling 877-SIXTHMAN. Hope to see you on board in January!
MAY 2009
A simply unbelievably wonderful night of Blues Music and camaraderie, the following Blues music performers were honored with 2009 Blues Music Awards:
Album of the Year: Skin Deep – Buddy Guy
Contemporary Blues Album of the Year: Skin Deep – Buddy Guy
Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year: Buddy Guy