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Tom Morgan got his professional start here as Buzz Busby's guitar player, and he was the original bass player for the
Country Gentlemen (following a very brief experiment with Larry Leahy), and by '61 was the regular bass player
for Red Allen, Frank Wakefield & The Kentuckians. All this time Tom lived in Arlington VA and Takoma Park MD,
while serving in the U.S. Air Force as a medic stationed at Walter Reed. In addition, Tom worked as a very highly
skilled bluegrass instrument luthier. He built necks for the banjos of more than a few local "stars,"
made unique "f-hole" autoharps, made several mandolins, and lent his own priceless Martin D-45 to Red Allen
for all of Red's recordings from 1960-1964. Tom made all the appearances with Buzz Busby's radio program
(singing lead and playing guitar) on WARL in the mid- to late 1950s, and later from 1961-1962 with Red Allen &
Frank Wakefield on their Sunday afternoon show over WDON (Wheaton). He also did studio work on many other star's
recording sessions.
Tom is originally from Dayton, Tennessee where he resides today. He continues to sing and perform
on guitar with his partner, Lynne Haas on autoharp and vocals, and his grandson on mandolin. They work about
two dozen appearances annually, mostly in the Chattanooga area. In October 1997, Tom appeared
at the IBMA Convention in Owensboro, KY for a set called "The Kentuckians Reunion",
which included Frank Wakefield on mandolin, Pete Kuykendall on banjo, and Harley Allen filling in for Red Allen on
vocals and guitar.
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THE DC Bluegrass Union
"Means More than Just Music to the Washington DC Region's Bluegrass Scene" "WHEREAS, the greater Washington, D.C.-area has become one of the most active, creative and productive Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Communities in the world;" - Adrian M. Fenty Mayor, District of Columbia" |
Tom Morgan