- Tommy Hays
Tommy Hays (born Thomas Avery Hays in Hartshorne,
Oklahoma , in1929 ) is a guitarist, band leader and vocalist. He started playing the guitar in church when he was 10 years old. He performed on theBilly Mize TV Show,Cousin Herb Show, was a member of the house band for theLucky Spot and the Blackboard and had his own radio show onKMPC . Tommy played on stage with many of the old timers who were part of creating theBakersfield Sound .Tommy has been playing in the honky-tonks in and around
Bakersfield for over fifty years. Recognized as one of the original “Bakersfield Sound ” pioneers, he has helped forge this unique and definitive sound. Driven by thepiano , steel andTelecaster guitar , theBakersfield Sound was a reaction to the early ‘50s and ‘60s sweetening ofcountry music epitomized by theNashville Sound .Along with the
Western Swingsters , he released the CD, “60 Years ofWestern Swing ” in2006 .He currently resides in
Bakersfield ,California , and still plays locally.Discography
*"
60 Years of Western Swing " (2006)External links
* [http://www.rockabillyhall.com/bakersfieldechoes1.html Echoes of Bakersfield] , an informational archive site.
* [http://www.rockabillyhall.com/bakersfieldtales.html Article about the Bakersfield Sound] , Tales and Reflections.
* [http://www.turnto23.com/news/6880301/detail.html?rss=bak&psp=news TV News Article about Tommy playing the Crystal Palace] fromKERO-TV
* [http://bakersfield_sound.totallyexplained.com/ Another Bakersfield Sound article] Totally Explained.
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