Big Tom

Infobox musical artist
Name = Big Tom


Img_capt = Big Tom in 2004
Img_size = 160
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Tom McBride
Alias =
Born =
Died =
Origin = Ireland
Instrument = Vocals, Guitar, Saxophone
Voice_type =
Genre = Country, Irish, Easy Listening
Occupation = Musician
Years_active = 1966 - present
Label =
Associated_acts = Big Tom and The Mainliners
URL =
Current_members =
Past_members =
Notable_instruments = Guitar

Big Tom (born Tom McBride in September 1936) from Oram, Castleblayney, County Monaghan, Ireland is an Irish country music singer, guitarist, and saxophone player. Established since 1966 he is currently front man of the Irish showband Big Tom and The Mainliners.

Recent Life

*2000 - Big Tom underwent a nodule operation on his throat.
*September, 2004 - Big Tom was reported to have been in a list of Irish tax evaders [ [http://www.independent.ie/national-news/singer-big-tom-among-tax-dodgers-in-30m-settlements-156348.html Singer Big Tom among tax dodgers in €30m settlements - National News, Frontpage - Independent.ie ] ] .
*8 July, 2005 - A plaque [ [http://www.k-macrecords.com/bigtom/news-bigtom-plaque.htm K-MAC Records ] ] was erected by the local community in Big Tom's home village in appreciation to his contribution to Country and Irish music.
*November, 2006 - Big Tom suffered a sudden heart attack at the age of 70 [ [http://archives.tcm.ie/breakingnews/2006/11/14/story285148.asp BreakingNews.ie - 2006/11/14: Big Tom recovering well after heart surgery ] ] , this had put doubt into whether he would ever tour again with his band.
*1 February, 2008 - Big Tom began a 12 date tour of Ireland [ [http://www.royaltheatre.ie/events/20080201_Big_Tom.php The Royal Theatre, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Ireland ] ] after doctors gave him the all clear.
*24 March, 2008 - Big Tom performed at Castlebar's TF Ballroom's final farewell night (in its current guise) but he was reported to have taken ill on stage [ [http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3813&Itemid=38 The Mayo News - Big Tom takes ill ] ] during the performance.
*25 May, 2008 - Big Tom performed for the closure night of the Galtymore dance hall in Cricklewood, London [ [http://www.theirishworld.com/article.asp?SubSection_Id=2&Article_Id=5634 The Irish World : news : (Irish News) ] ] .
*27 July, 2008 - Big Tom was headline act at London's Irish Festival [ [http://www.londonirishfestival.co.uk/musicacts.html London Irish Festival - Music Acts ] ] .

Other details

Big Tom suffers from a fear of flying.

Hit Songs

Big Tom has hit the Top Ten numerous times in the pop charts of Ireland [ [http://www.irishcharts.ie The Irish Charts - All there is to know ] ] :

CDs and Videos/DVDs

Prior to 1990 all of Big Tom's audio music releases (over 20 albums) were on vinyl record (or cassette) and are now out-of-print. Since 1990 the release format became CD (or cassette).

CDs

All of the CD releases contains tracks which were previously released on vinyl except for those marked * (all tracks newly recorded) or ** (some tracks newly recorded), all remain on general availability release except possibly the "20 Golden Greats" album as all it's tracks have been reissued on latter CDs so it is potentially out of print.
The "Greatest Hits" album includes two tracks taken from the Live at the Glencarne Hotel video.
It is intended by Big Tom's record company over time to eventually reissue all vinyl tracks on to new CD releases.

Videos/DVDs

* Live at the Glencarn Hotel, Castleblayney
* Live at the Galtymore, London
* In Concert at the Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen
* The Sweetest Gift
* The Very Best of (Compilation)
* Back to Castleblayney, Live
* Galtymore 2004, Live
* Live in Birmingham and Manchester

References

External links

* [http://www.k-macrecords.com/ Big Tom's record company]