Tom Irwin

Starting writing songs in mid-80s and began performing out on streets and clubs soon after. Released ten recordings since then with the most recent, Carry Me Home, produced by Gary Gordon, out in August 2007. During a twenty-some year career, highlights include opening for Willie Nelson at Illinois State Fair Grandstand, Springfield, 2001 and at Montessori Gala Benefit in Kihei, Maui, 1999; voted Best Solo Artist, Musician, Folk Band, and Male Vocalist through the years of 1992-2007 by readers of Illinois Times in Springfield IL. Now living on our third generation family farm in Pleasant Plains, a few miles outside Springfield, continuing to write, record, and perform around 200 dates a year throughout the region and the U.S. Reviewers and critics have said, "updated John Prine" and "a cross between Frank Zappa and Buddly Holly" and "brilliant and enduring". Performances and recordings have touched thousands of people over the years and most of them seem to like what they hear. Along with the solo act, included are various performances with the Notorious Hired Hands, an electric rock & roll group, the Country Classics, doing hillibilly-country standards, Tom Irwin Trio, acoustic-based accompanied with electric guitar & bass, plus percussion.