Adams, Tom

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TOM ADAMS

  • From Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. A civil war buff, he lives in a pre-civil war house.
  • As a teen, played in a family band called “The Adams Brothers and Dad” (played mandolin).
  • 1980, had a band called Tom Adams and the Double Eagle Band with Chris Warner on mandolin/banjo. Tom also played guitar in that band.
  • 1983-1985, played banjo with Jimmy Martin and the Sunny Mountain Boys.
  • 1985, managed a Domino’s Pizza in Nashville.
  • 1986-1995, joined The Johnson Mountain Boys.
  • 1988-1991, joined The Lynn Morris Band.
  • 1992, The Johnson Mountain Boys (reunion).
  • 1993, worked with Tony Trischka and Tony Furtado as “The Rounder Banjo Extravaganza.”
  • 1992, 1993, 2002, won IBMA award for Banjo Player of the Year.
  • 1998, joined Blue Highway.
  • 2000, joined Rhonda Vincent and the Rage.
  • 2001, joined Dale Ann Bradley and Coon Creek. Also teaches banjo, guitar and mandolin.
  • 2002, developed a neurological disorder called “focal dystonia” which affected the middle finger of his right hand and his ability to play the banjo.
  • 2004, won IBMA Award for Instrumental Album of the Year (“Live at the Ragged Edge” with Michael Cleveland).
  • 2006, formed new band “Seneca Rocks” with Dudley Connell, David McLaughlin, Sally Love and Marshall Wilborn.
  • 2008, teamed up with banjo player Chris Warner to form “Chris Warner and Diamond Joe” (guitar and lead vocals)
  • 2008, joined Bill Emerson’s “Sweet Dixie” band (guitar and lead vocals).
  • 2009, joined Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper (guitar and lead vocals).
  • 2011, left Michael Cleveland’s band.
  • Currently teaches banjo lessons full time to students all over the world (using Skype). Also plays with Springfield Exit.
  • 2013, won an IBMA Award for Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year (for “Foggy Mountain Rock” from the album Foggy Mountain Special: A Bluegrass Tribute to Earl Scruggs.

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