Meet our latest addition to the talented array of Twilight BYOB Cruise Performers

“And, at that moment, in a small town in northern Russia, we knew it was time to perform…”

Wait. Hold up. What? Did you just say Russia? As in, “Zdravstvuyte. Menya zovut Tom?”

Tom laughs, “Yes. Russia. What can I say? It was a once in a lifetime opportunity so we decided to not let it pass us by.”

And on that note, let me introduce you to Tom Edwards, one of Amelia River Cruises’ latest additions to their talented array of Adult Twilight BYOB Cruise performers.

The Early Years

Tom Edwards grew up in Callahan, Florida. At a young age, Tom’s Aunt Ethlynn introduced him to the Rhythm and Blues. Her love of R&B masters like Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Della Reese, Sam Cooke had a major impact on him and her support through the coming years is something he will always be grateful for.

Tom began piano lessons when he was seven years old. Unfortunately, he convinced his mom to let him quit a few years later (something he has always regretted). Luckily for us at Amelia River Cruises, music had a bigger plan for him!

It Begins

You see, at 12 years old, Tom was in Junior High. He was a typical middle schooler, who enjoyed athletics. Then, in an instant, everything changed because Tom broke both his knees. Suddenly, sports were no longer an option.

“I was 12 years old when I first picked up the guitar. The action was so high that it made my fingers bleed. I lived in the country and my only transportation was a horse so I didn’t go into town much. That left me a lot of time to practice.”

Soon after he and Terry, a childhood friend who he now lovingly refers to as the “Jacksonville Mayor of Music”, formed their first band, Terry and the Tornados. Later they rebranded themselves as The Mustangs. “We were a garage band before the term existed.”

Tom and Terry experimented with new genres, band members, reinvented themselves and became staples in Jacksonville’s youth music scene. They performed regularly at youth center dances and competed in Jacksonville’s Battle of the Bands competitions. they challenged themselves and their musical talent grew. Then, as it happens, they grew up. Tom began working in the healthcare industry, started a family, and took a step back from music.

Life, Love, Family… and a Recording Contract

Over the next decade, Tom’s family grew to include three children, his job became a career, and life just, “got busy.” But music kept calling him and in the 80s, at the height of the Urban Cowboy Craze, he and Terry started playing again. They toured all over central and southern Florida and caught the attention of Nashville labels.

“Suddenly we were swept away to Nashville where we were met with all kinds of intros and open doors. Terry and I got offered a recording contract with Rainbow Publishing.”

Excited but concerned about how this would affect his family, Tom wanted his lawyer to look it over. Not one to waste time, the signing agent broke it down for him, “It says I own you. You go where I say and do what I say when I say.” Tom’s mind went back to a time he was rehearsing with George Straight, “They didn’t even know where they were. I had a good job and a family. I knew I couldn’t do that. So, I turned it down.”

Tom has never regretted this decision, he continued playing and always embraced an opportunity to perform… Which brings us back to Russia.

Seize the Moment

“In the early 90s the Soviet Union collapsed and Russia became a newly independent state. As a part of a health care exchange program between Russia and the US, I was sent to a small town in northern Russia close to the north pole. While we were there, the locals put together a show for us at a local museum. They had these young people on stage performing in traditional garb, singing, and dancing. They played the accordion and these wooden devices to make percussion noises. It was wonderful.

At one point, my boss said, ‘Man too bad we don’t have a guitar. Wouldn’t it be great if we could play something for them?’ But there was a giant black ebony grand piano on the stage. I told him, ‘I can play the piano, but we need to play something they will know.’ So, we decided to perform On Top of Old Smokey. Everyone came up on stage and surrounded us, singing along. It was quite the experience.”

Always Have Fun

Now that Tom’s “seasoned” he keeps it simple and plays for fun. That being said, his version of “simple” is very different from the rest of us!

Tom performs throughout Georgia and Florida as a solo performer and as a member of the 5-piece band “Gnarly Fingers”. Over the past 9 years, he has thoroughly enjoyed putting over 400,000 miles on his car (FYI: that’s 300% more than the average driver! 300%!!)

“I have performed solo in N. Florida, NE Georgia and western NC. In Florida, I’ve played at Brucci’s West Beach, The Green Turtle, The Florida House, Sliders, Downunder, The Patio Place, Mudville Music Room, Ann O’Malley’s Pub, Beluthahatchee, Will McLean Festival, Barberville Festival, Florida Folk Festival. I played 3 or 4 times on Amelia River Cruises a few years back with my pal, Terry Smith. In Georgia the Hiawassee Square, Young Harris Seafood Festival, Hightower Creek Vineyard. In North Carolina the Hayesville Square, Goldhagen Art Glass Studio (with my band, Gnarly Fingers), The Daily Grind & Wine, Calaboose Winery.

Upcoming as in tomorrow, Thursday, Jan 23, I’ll be in Sarasota performing a house concert. Then Saturday, I’ll be on the NFFN stage at the inaugural Frank Thomas Festival at Goldhead Branch State Park. My set is at noon. Then Sunday, Jan 26, I’ll be at Tiki Island Tap House at Pecan Park Flea Market from 1-3. My favorite venue is the Mudville Music Room…listening room…great audiences.”

Tom has written over 100 songs and has produced three albums of original music, falling into the genre of “Americana/Folk”.

“I write story songs…lyrics are important.”

That doesn’t mean he won’t play your favorite song on Amelia River Cruises Adult Twilight BYOB Cruise!

What to Expect

Tom calls himself a “split personality” performer.

“I don’t use a set playlist for performances, rather, tailor the set to the audience. Ex: at Festivals here in Florida, I only perform my original music, particularly songs I’ve written about Florida. In a club, I would perform a range of covers that I do from Van Morrison, Gordon Lightfoot, The Band, John Prine, The Eagles and yes, I take requests… as long as I know the song.

Sunday, I played for the first time 20 of my friends and a big group of bikers. Georgia says to me, ‘I never heard you play so much country music!’

What can I say, I’ll play what the people want!

Same way on an Adult Twilight BYOB Cruise. You engage people. They engage with the captain. They engage with the musicians. You just have fun!”

Book Your Adult Twilight BYOB Cruise Now!

Needless to say, here at Amelia River Cruises we are very excited to have Tom join our group of talented musicians because we are sure you will love his music, personality, and overall positive energy as much as we do!

Tom’s first 2020 performance will be March 7th. Book your Adult Twighlight BYOB Cruise tickets ASAP and we will see you there!

Encore!

Annnnddd Because I just can’t seem to leave out anything…

Tom’s Amelia Q&A Encore!

What is your favorite part of living/working here?
It’s home…so many friends

What are you most looking forward to when playing on the cruise?
Seeing people join in on songs they know…smiling faces…some dancing. I just love playing on the cruises!!

Have you been to Cumberland Island before? If so, what is your favorite part of the island?
I have been several times and my favorite part is always the history of the whole place. I just love the history. It’s so much fun when you get up by Cumberland Island National Seashore and the horses are on the beach and the dolphins come up and play by the cruise. Especially, when its an Amelia River Cruises guest’s first time and they don’t know the history and haven’t seen the horses or the dolphins before… it’s always fun.

Any last words?
I’ve been away for a few years now and I am thrilled to be back home where I can re-connect with all my old friends and once again enjoy the pleasures of living in Northeast Florida. I look forward to helping Amelia River Cruises entertain their customers on the Adult Twilight BYOB Cruise. We’re gonna have a good time!!!

How can fans-to-be gain access to your music/upcoming events? Website, social media, CD, iTunes?
Some of my original music can be heard on www.reverbnation.com/tomedwards1 or like my page on Facebook

Categorised in: Amelia Island, Our Staff