Thomas Edmonds grew up in the small cotton mill town of Joanna, SC. Thom got interested in drums at around 9 years of age after watching his cousin play in a local band. When his cousin decided to stop playing that same year, he sold his drum kit to Thom's Grandmother. Drumming was something that felt natural to him, and he started to listen to bands like KISS, ELO, Elton John, The Eagles, Journey, etc. His first public performance was in the same year when he played drums with his elementary school chorus in a rendition of "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head". He then played in the middle school band where he learned how to read music. After middle school, he was chosen to participate in band and choral groups in All-State band, honors All-State chorus, and Baptist All-State band, and other ensembles. His first drum instructor was Scott Keever, who taught him through 11th grade. Thom got his first professional job at the age of 17 when he was the show drummer for The Greenwood Little Theater's production of "Fiddler On The Roof," where he played with professional musicians and college students from Lander University, which led to a scholarship offer to Lander. He attended Lander for 3 semesters before transferring to the University of South Carolina, where he studied music under the instruction of Jim Hall and played in the University of South Carolina's "Mighty Sound of the South" Marching Band.
After college, he then worked for area high schools as the percussion instructor, as well as played in numerous bands throughout the state of South Carolina in all different genres. He then moved to Nashville to pursue his career further and played with numerous singer/songwriters up and down Broadway, and also did some studio work on backing vocals and drums. While in Nashville, he took lessons from world-class drummer Charlie Adams (Yanni), learning more about his craft and business. Thom has played on several recordings with Thunder Rose, Steven Lee, Phil Urban, Undeserving, Jackson Truluck, and others. Thom now lives back in his hometown of Joanna with his wife, enjoying being a grandfather. He is currently playing and recording with Lee Newton as well as The Dirt Road Disciples (featuring South Carolina Entertainment and Music Hall of Fame member, Rusty Autrey).
Thom is an accomplished drummer and backing vocalist available for studio sessions, lessons, features, temporary fill-in drummer positions, as well as full band arrangement and production. He can also be found donating time to his local high school alma mater, working with the percussion line in the marching band.
