For 4 decades now "Roots Music
For Your Soul" has been the mission as Tom and
his band deliver passionate performances of Funky
Roots music with Scorching Guitar... As one reviewer
mused: "Be careful, or Tom Principato could easily
topple one of your current guitar heroes from their
lofty pedestal..." After 45+ years and a career
that boasts 18 albums, 29 "Wammie" awards
in numerous categories from the Washington, DC Music
Assoc. and over 5,000 gigs which includes over 50
tours of Europe, Tom Principato has been taking his
Indie infused eclectic roots mixture of Rock, Blues,
Funk, and Latin Sounds all over the World...
Tom Principato has spent the last 40+
years as a guitarist and singer based in his hometown
of Washington, D.C. In the 1970's, Tom was leader
of the legendary band Powerhouse, an East Coast phenomenem
who released an album "Night Life" to critical
acclaim. Tom also did a one year stint with Geoff
Muldaur and recorded an album "I Ain't Drunk"
(Hannibal/Island Records 1980) with the band Geoff
Muldaur and His Bad Feet members of which included
Andy Stein (Asleep At The Wheel), Mark
Kazanoff (Earl King) and Sarah Brown
(Lou Ann Barton).
Powerhouse
Night Life
Tom has also done brief stints with
various acts including Billy Price And The Keystone
Rhythm Band, Big Mama Thornton, Sunnyland Slim, James
Montgomery, and a group called The Assassins with Jimmy
Thackery, former guiatrist with The Nighthawks. Tom
appears on two albums with the Assassins, "No Previous
Record" (1986) and "Partners In Crime"
(1987) which won a "Wammy Award".
In 1984 Tom began a solo career,
notably recording a live album with the late Washington
guitar legend Danny Gatton titled "Blazing Telecasters".
This album was considered by The National Academy Of
Recorded Arts And Sciences (NARAS) for a Grammy Nomination.
The band has toured clubs and festivals
extensively in the U.S., Canada, and Europe including Norway,
Sweden, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Austria,
France, Slovenia, Finland, Italy, Sardegna, Corsica, Spain,
Portugal, Majorca, Menorca, St. Croix, and even Greece and
Turkey!
In addition to winning first place in the WHFS/Harmony Hut
"Guitar Talent Hunt" (1980) Tom has won a total
of 22 "WAMMY" Awards from the Washington Area
Music Association. In 1986, "Smokin'!" won three
Wammy Awards; Best Blues Album, Best Male Vocalist-Blues,
and Best Blues Instrumentalist. In 1987 Tom won four Wammy
Awards; Best Artist/Group-Blues, Best Male Vocalist-Blues,
Best Instrumentalist-Blues, and Best Recording-Blues for
The Assassins "Partners In Crime" album. In 1988
Tom won three more Wammies; Best Blues Recording-"I
Know What You're Thinkin'...", Best Artist/Group-Blues,
and Best Instrumentalist-Blues. Tom also won Best Instrumentalist-Blues
in 1992, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, and 2001, plus Best Male
Vocalist-Blues in 1997. In 1999 "Live & Kickin'"
won Best Blues Recording, and Tom Principato Band won Best
Blues Group. In 2003 "House On Fire" won Best
Blues Recording. In 2006 "Guitar Gumbo" won best
Blues Recording and Tom won Best Blues Vocalist. Tom Principato
Band was also voted "Blues Act Of The Year"-1997
and "Blues Act Of The Month" for Oct. 1997 by
the listeners of "Talkin' Blues Radio" Koln, Germany
and Gitarre & Bass Magazine.
Since the 1990's Tom has signed endorsement agreements with
Fender Electric Guitar Co., DR String Co., Seymour Duncan
pickups, Roger Mayer effects pedals. (Roger Mayer personally
made effects pedals and experimental electronic gadgets
for Jimi Hendrix), and Soundseat: "The most comfortable
music seat ever built."
Tom's 1992 Recording "Tip Of The Iceberg" was
co-produced by Chuck Leavell, a keyboard player who has
played with Eric Clapton, George Harrison, The Rolling Stones,
The Allman Brothers Band, and Sea Level. Chuck also appears
on Tom's "Really Blue" CD. In 1995 Tom's song
"In The Clouds" was considered for another Grammy
nomination.
In 2000 Tom's book "Open-String Guitar Chords"
was published world-wide by Hal Leonard Corporation.
Tom Principato's websites are: www.TomPrincipato.com
and www.PowerhouseRecords.com