Tom is a Langley-based pedal steel guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer who has been following his love of roots music including americana, rockabilly and country for the past 20 years. A multi-instrumentalist, Tom also plays guitar, lap steel and mandolin. He has produced and released 5 albums as an artist and recording engineer; two with alt-country band DerbyTown, two with rockabilly/swing band “The Palomars”, and a solo release, the western swing and jazz-themed “Steelin’ Crazy Rhythm” featuring guitarist Paul Pigat and Canadian jazz singer Alex Pangman. Tom was nominated in the Steel guitar/dobro category of the 2022 BC Country Music Awards.
Performances include appearances at Folk on the Rocks Festival (Yellowknife), Nashville Boogie (Nashville) and East Van Opry (Vancouver). Tom has performed live shows with some of Vancouver's top artists including Paul Pigat, Sarah Jane Scouten, Scott Smith, Ray Condo, Jay Gavin and done pedal steel guitar session work for numerous local artists. He also contributes to his local music and arts community on the Board of the Fort Langley Community Hall.
Tom continues to work on his songwriting and producing credits including his latest releases, Derbytown's EP "Hollywood Jimmie" in January, 2023. He also finished engineering and co-producing the Penny Pom Pom children's album "Everything is Magic", released in October, 2022.
Tom's love of western swing music comes through in this version of the 1950 Hank Penny classic "What've You Got"
Here is Tom performing with Sarah Jane Scouten at her album release party in Vancouver at Green Auto on October 26, 2023. Other musicians include Paul Pigat (guitar), Catherine Hiltz (bass), June Berry (drums) and Meris Goodfellow (harmony vocals)
Original roots and americana
Alt-country
Canadian alt-country and folk revival
Folk Pop
Rockabilly/swing
Hillbilly Bop
Classic Country, Rockabilly & Western Swing
Americana Rock
Classic Country, honky tonk
© Tom Hammel 2024