Album Notes

“I’m best known as a Celtic/folk fiddler these days, but my very first solo CD reflects my long musical journey through almost every genre of music. You might say this album was 50 years in the making, dating back to when I first picked up a violin as a very young lad. I call it a ‘curious collection of fiddle tunes’ because it touches on a number of genres that I’ve enjoyed playing with many outstanding musicians throughout my career. It’s a mix of original and traditional tunes–some well-known and some obscure–with Celtic, Old-time, Bluegrass/Americana, New Acoustic, World, Jazz, and Western Swing all represented. And while I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel here, I admit that sometimes I stirred them up a bit as well. My goal was to present some good tunes, well-played. I hope you agree.”

On ‘The Raven’s Wing’, Tom is featured playing violin, fiddle, mandolin, octave mandolin, Irish tenor banjo, and guitar. Guest musicians include David Hughes, Ben Harper & Andra Bohnet of Mithril; Mobile Bay area jazz & bluegrass players Corky Hughes, Joe Morris Jr., Phil Proctor and Daniel Wainwright; and Birmingham string bassist Tim Carroll Jr. Special guests are Nashville accordionist Jeff Taylor (who performs and records with Ricky Skaggs & Elvis Costello among others); Buck Reid (long-time steel guitarist in Lyle Lovett’s Large Band); and New Orleans clarinet icon Tim Laughlin.